金光明最勝王經

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: THE GODDESS OF GREAT ELOQUENCE

II. At that time, after the brahmin Kaundinya had spoken words of praise and the Dharma-praising incantation in praise of the Goddess of Eloquence, he addressed the great assembly:

“Venerable ones! If you wish to invoke the compassionate protection and blessing of the Goddess of Eloquence, so that in this present life you may attain unobstructed eloquence, keen intelligence and great wisdom, skillful and wondrous speech, exceptional erudition and talent, elegant discourse and argumentation, accomplishing whatever you wish without impediment, then you should invoke her with utmost sincerity, diligence, and reverence, saying:

Namo Buddhaya—Namo Dharmaya—Namo Sanghaya—Namo to the assemblies of bodhisattvas, pratyekabuddhas, shravakas, and all the noble assemblies. All the Buddhas of the past and present throughout the ten directions have long practiced truthful speech and never spoken falsehood. Throughout immeasurable kotis of great kalpas, they have always spoken truthfully.

All who possess truthful speech rejoice. Because they do not speak falsely, their broad and long tongues can cover their faces, cover Jambudvipa and the four continents, cover the worlds of one thousand, two thousand, and three thousand realms, and universally cover the worlds throughout the ten directions. Perfect, all-pervading, and inconceivable, they can eliminate every affliction and burning torment.

Homage! Homage to all Buddhas who possess such a tongue-mark! May I, named ..., fully attain wondrous eloquence!

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge and entrust my life:

Homage to the wondrous eloquence of all Buddhas!

To the wondrous eloquence of all great bodhisattvas!

To the wondrous eloquence of the noble pratyekabuddhas!

To the wondrous eloquence of the four paths and four fruits!

To the wondrous eloquence that proclaims the Four Noble Truths!

To the wondrous eloquence of right conduct and right view!

To the wondrous eloquence of the Brahma hosts and all seers!

To the wondrous eloquence of the great goddess Uma!

To the wondrous eloquence of the god Skanda!

To the wondrous eloquence of King Manasi!

To the wondrous eloquence of the wise Lord of Night, Ratradevata!

To the wondrous eloquence of the Four Great Heavenly Kings!

To the wondrous eloquence of the divine prince Supratishthita!

To the wondrous eloquence of the Vajra Lord of Mysteries!

To the wondrous eloquence of the god Vishnu!

To the wondrous eloquence of the goddess Bhima!

To the wondrous eloquence of the deity Samkhyayana!

To the wondrous eloquence of the goddess Sisumata!

To the wondrous eloquence of Sri Mata!

To the wondrous eloquence of Heli’s speech!

To the wondrous eloquence of all mothers and great mothers—the great mother of all mothers!

To the wondrous eloquence of Mother Hariti!

To the wondrous eloquence of all yaksha deities!

To the wondrous eloquence of all kings throughout the ten directions!

May all aid arising from excellent karma

Cause me to attain boundless wondrous eloquence!

Homage to those free from deceit.

Homage to those who are liberated.

Homage to those who have abandoned desire.

Homage to those who have cast off all bonds.

Homage to those whose minds are pure.

Homage to the Radiant One.

Homage to those of truthful speech.

Homage to those free from defilement.

Homage to those who abide in the ultimate truth.

Homage to the Great Being.

Homage to the Goddess of Eloquence.

Grant me unobstructed speech.

May all that I seek

Be swiftly accomplished!

May I be free from illness, ever joyful and peaceful,

And may my lifespan be prolonged.

May I skillfully understand all vidya-mantras,

Diligently cultivate the path to bodhi,

And widely benefit all living beings.

May my aspirations soon be fulfilled!

I speak words of genuine truth!

I speak without deceit!

May the wondrous Goddess of Eloquence

Cause me to attain accomplishment.

I beseech the divine goddess

To make my speech unimpeded.

Quickly enter into my mouth and body,

And endow me fully with intelligence and eloquence!

May the faculty of my tongue

Attain the Tathagata’s eloquence.

Through the majestic power of speech,

May I tame all living beings.

Whenever I utter words,

May each matter be accomplished accordingly.

May those who hear me give rise to reverence

And never reject what is to be done.

If the eloquence I seek

Should fail to be attained,

Then the divine goddess’s truthful words

Would all become false!

Those who have committed the uninterrupted offenses

Are subdued by the Buddha’s words;

Likewise, the words spoken in gratitude

By the arhats—

Shariputra, Maudgalyayana, and the others,

The foremost disciples of the Blessed One—

Are true and genuine.

May all that I seek be accomplished!

I now continually invoke

The Buddha’s assembly of shravakas.

I pray that they come here swiftly

And fulfill the aspiration in my heart!

May the truthful words concerning all I seek

Never prove false or deceptive.

From the summit of the Form Realm

Down to the Heaven of the Pure Abodes,

Great Brahma and the Brahma ministers,

All the hosts of Brahma kings,

And throughout the entire three-thousandfold world,

The lords of the Saha world,

Together with all their retinues—

I now invoke them all!

May they descend with loving hearts

And compassionately accept and protect me!

The gods of Paranirmita-vashavartin,

And the gods of Nirmanarati,

The hosts of the Tushita Heaven,

Where Maitreya will become a Buddha,

The hosts of the Yama Heaven,

And those of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three,

The assemblies of the Four Great Heavenly Kings,

And all the hosts of devas;

The deities of earth, water, fire, and wind,

Those dwelling upon wondrous Mount Sumeru,

The hosts of deities of the mountains and seven seas,

Together with all their retinues;

Purna-bhadra and Panchashikha,

The sun, moon, planets, and stars—

May all such celestial hosts

Bring peace and security to the world.

May these celestial deities

Commit no wrongful deeds!

Homage to the Mother of Demon Children

And her beloved young children;

To the hosts of devas, nagas, and yakshas,

Gandharvas and asuras,

And also kinnaras

And mahoragas.

Relying upon the Blessed One’s power,

I bow and invoke them all!

May they descend with compassionate hearts

And grant me unobstructed eloquence!

May all the hosts of humans and devas

Who can know the minds of others

Increase their spiritual power

And grant me wondrous eloquence!

Throughout the bounds of empty space

And everywhere across all worlds,

Whatever sentient beings there may be,

May they grant me wondrous eloquence!”

At that time, after the Goddess of Eloquence had heard this invocation, she said to the brahmin:

“Excellent! Great being! If any man or woman can follow this incantation and hymn of praise, uphold the prescribed rite as previously explained, take refuge in the Three Jewels, and steadfastly maintain right mindfulness, then none of their aspirations will be forsaken. If they further uphold and recite this wondrous Sutra of Golden Light, every wish they make will bear a satisfactory result and swiftly be accomplished, except when they lack utmost sincerity.”

The brahmin rejoiced deeply in his heart, joined his palms, and reverently received her words.

At that time, the Buddha said to the Goddess of Eloquence:

“Excellent! Excellent! You are able to propagate this wondrous Golden King of Sutras, protect those who uphold the Sutra, and benefit all living beings, enabling them to attain peace and happiness. By teaching the Dharma in this way and bestowing inconceivable eloquence, you will gain immeasurable merit, and those who have aroused the aspiration will swiftly proceed toward bodhi.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE GODDESS OF GREAT AUSPICIOUSNESS

At that time, the Goddess of Great Auspiciousness rose from her seat, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, respectfully joined her palms, and addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One! If I see any bhikshu, bhikshuni, upasaka, or upasika who receives and upholds, reads and recites, or explains to others this Sovereign King of Sutras, the Supreme Golden Light, I shall single-mindedly honor and make offerings to those Dharma teachers. Food, drink, clothing, bedding, medicines, and all other necessities shall be provided in full, so that they lack nothing.

By day or by night, practitioners shall examine and contemplate the meanings contained in this Sovereign Sutra and dwell in peace and joy, causing this scripture to circulate widely throughout Jambudvipa. Because those sentient beings have planted roots of goodness in the presence of countless hundreds of thousands of Buddhas, they shall constantly be enabled to hear this sutra, and it shall not quickly disappear. Moreover, throughout countless hundreds of thousands of kotis of kalpas, they shall enjoy all manner of supreme pleasures among humans and devas.

The seasons shall always be abundant and prosperous, famine shall forever be eliminated, and all sentient beings shall constantly enjoy peace and happiness. They shall also encounter the Buddhas, the World-Honored Ones, and in future lives shall swiftly attain the fruit of unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment, forever severing the sufferings and tribulations of rebirth in the three evil realms.

“World-Honored One! I recall that in a past life there was the Tathagata Lapis Lazuli Golden Mountain, Jeweled Flower, Radiant Illumination, Auspicious Ocean of Merit, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One, complete in the ten epithets. In the presence of that Buddha, I planted roots of goodness.

Through the awesome spiritual power and compassionate care of that Tathagata, today, wherever my thoughts turn, in whatever direction I look, and in whatever land I arrive, I am able to cause countless hundreds of thousands of myriads of kotis of beings to enjoy every kind of happiness. Clothing, food and drink, necessities for sustaining life, and such precious things as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl, agate, coral, amber, pearls, and so forth shall all be supplied in abundance.

If anyone sincerely reads and recites this Sovereign Sutra of Supreme Golden Light, that person should also burn various renowned incenses and offer beautiful flowers each day on my behalf to the Tathagata Lapis Lazuli Golden Mountain, Jeweled Flower, Radiant Illumination, Auspicious Ocean of Merit, Worthy One, Perfectly Enlightened One. Three times each day, the practitioner should invoke my name and especially offer me incense, flowers, and delicious foods, while also constantly listening to and receiving this wondrous Sovereign Sutra.

Such merit shall be gained.” She then spoke these verses:

Because one can uphold this sutra thus,

One’s kin and one’s own person are freed from decline;

Clothing, food, and necessities are never lacking,

And one’s majestic radiance and lifespan are difficult to exhaust.

It can cause the vitality of the earth ever to increase,

And the devas to send rain according to the seasons;

It causes all the hosts of devas to rejoice,

As well as the spirits of gardens, groves, grains, and fruits.

Dense forests and fruit trees all flourish;

All crops and grains fully ripen.

Those who seek precious treasures have their wishes fulfilled;

Whatever they desire brings satisfaction to their hearts.

The Buddha said to the goddess Great Auspiciousness:

“Excellent! Excellent! You are able to recollect such causes from the past, repay kindness through offerings, benefit and bring peace and happiness to boundless sentient beings, and propagate this sutra. Your merit is inexhaustible.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

THE GODDESS GREAT AUSPICIOUSNESS INCREASES WEALTH AND POSSESSIONS

At that time, the goddess Great Auspiciousness again addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One! In the north is the city of the Deva King Vaishravana, called Alakavati. Not far from that city is a garden called Wondrous Flowers and Blessed Radiance (Puspakusuma Prabha), within which stands a magnificent palace made of the seven treasures.

World-Honored One, I constantly dwell there. If anyone wishes the five grains to increase day by day and their granaries to overflow, that person should give rise to faith and reverence, clean a chamber, and smear its floor with gomaya. An image of me should be painted there, adorned all around with various jeweled necklaces.

The practitioner should then bathe, put on clean garments, anoint the entire body with renowned fragrant substances, enter the purified chamber, and form the resolve to honor me. Three times each day, the practitioner should invoke the name of that Buddha and the name of this sutra, bow down, and pay homage, saying: ‘Namo Tathagata Lapis Lazuli Golden Mountain, Jeweled Flower, Radiant Illumination, Auspicious Ocean of Merit.’ The practitioner should then wholeheartedly present various kinds of incense and flowers, together with all manner of delicious food and drink, and should likewise offer incense, flowers, food, and drink before my image.

The practitioner should then scatter food and drink in the other directions as offerings to the spirits and others, and with truthful words invite the goddess Great Auspiciousness and state the prayer. If these words are not false, may the supplication made to me not prove fruitless!

“When the goddess Great Auspiciousness learns of this, she shall immediately give rise to compassionate thoughts and cause the wealth and grain in that household to increase. The practitioner should then recite the mantra that summons and invites me. First invoke the names of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, and with single-minded reverence pay homage:

Namo all Buddhas of the ten directions and the three times.

Namo Buddha Jeweled Topknot.

Namo Buddha Stainless Radiance Jeweled Banner.

Namo Buddha Golden Banner Radiance.

Namo Buddha Treasury of a Hundred Golden Lights.

Namo Buddha Golden Canopy, Jeweled Accumulation.

Namo Buddha Golden Flower Radiant Banner.

Namo Buddha Great Lamp Radiance.

Namo Buddha Great Jeweled Banner.

Namo Akshobhya Buddha of the East.

Namo Jeweled Banner Buddha of the South.

Namo Amitayus Buddha of the West.

Namo Celestial Drum-Sound King Buddha of the North.

Namo Bodhisattva Wondrous Banner.

Namo Bodhisattva Golden Light.

Namo Bodhisattva Golden Treasury.

Namo Bodhisattva Sadaprarudita.

Namo Bodhisattva Dharmodgata.

Namo Bodhisattva Well Established.

“After paying homage to the Buddhas and bodhisattvas in this way, the practitioner should next recite the mantra that summons and invites me, the goddess Great Auspiciousness! Through the power of this mantra, whatever the practitioner seeks shall be accomplished.”

The goddess then spoke the mantra:

Nam mô thất lị mạc ha thiên nữ - Đát điệt tha - Bát lị bô luật noa chiết lệ - Tam mạn đa - Đạt lị thiết nê mạc ha tỳ ha la yết đế - Tam mạn đá tỳ đàm mạt nê - Mạc ha ca lí dã - Bát lị để sắt sá bát nê - Tát bà át - Tha ta đạn nê - Tô bát lạt để bô lệ - A gia na đạt ma đa mạc ha tỳ câu tỷ đế - Mạc ha mê đốt lỗ - Ổ ba tăng tứ đê - Mạc ha hiệt lị sử - Tô tăng cận lí tứ đê - Tam mạn đa át tha - A nô ba lạt nê - Tá ha (Namô ‘sri-mahàdevi tadyathà paripùrna-care samanta-dar‘sani mahàvihàragate samanta pitamamati mahàkarya prativisthapani sarvànthasamamtanu (?) supratipure ayanaciharmata mahàbhàgena mahàmảiti upasamhete mahàklésa susamgrhite anupulana svàhà).

“World-Honored One! If anyone recites and upholds this mantra and thereby summons me, then, upon hearing the summons, I shall immediately go to that person and cause their wishes to be fulfilled. World-Honored One!

This Dharma formula of anointing is a formula of certain accomplishment, a formula of truth, a formula free from falsehood. It is indeed the practice of equality and, for all sentient beings, a true root of goodness. If anyone receives, upholds, reads, and recites this mantra, they should observe the Eightfold Precepts for seven days and seven nights.

Early each morning, they should first brush their teeth and wash their face clean, and until after midday, they should make offerings of incense and flowers to all Buddhas, confess their own transgressions, and then dedicate the merit and make vows for themselves and all sentient beings.

“To cause their aspirations to be swiftly fulfilled, they should clean a room or stay in a secluded aranya. They should prepare a ritual platform with cow dung, burn sandalwood incense as an offering, set up an excellent and wondrous seat adorned with banners, streamers, and jeweled canopies, and spread renowned varieties of flowers throughout the platform. The practitioner should then single-mindedly recite and uphold the mantra given above, praying for me to come.

At that time, I shall watch over and contemplate that person. I shall come, enter their dwelling, ascend the seat, sit down, and receive their offerings. From that time onward, I shall cause that person to see me in dreams while asleep.

According to whatever that person seeks, I shall truthfully inform them. Whether it concerns a village, an open wilderness, a dwelling place of the Sangha, or anything else, I shall cause all their requests to be fulfilled. Gold, silver, treasures, cattle, sheep, rice, wheat, food, drink, clothing, and other things shall all be enjoyed according to their wishes.

“Having obtained such excellent and wondrous rewards, they should use the finest portion to make offerings to the Three Jewels and offerings to me. They should extensively arrange Dharma assemblies, set out food and drink, and spread incense and flowers everywhere. After making offerings with all the articles they possess, they should again make offerings on my behalf.

I shall then remain there throughout their lifetime, continually protecting and supporting that person, causing them to lack nothing and ensuring that all their wishes are fulfilled to their satisfaction. The practitioner should also constantly provide aid to the poor and needy. They should not be miserly or begrudge things, keeping them solely for themselves.

They should continually read this Sutra and make offerings without interruption. They should universally bestow this merit upon all beings, dedicate it to the path of bodhi, vow to escape birth and death, and swiftly attain liberation.”

At that time, the World-Honored One praised her, saying:

“Excellent, excellent, Auspicious Goddess! You are able thus to disseminate this Sutra. This is inconceivable and benefits both others and yourself.”

CHAPTER EIGHTE: THE EARTH DEITY DRDHA

At that time, the earth deity Drdha rose from among the assembly, joined her palms respectfully, and addressed the Buddha, saying:

“World-Honored One! If, either in the present age or in a future age, this Sutra of the Sovereign King of Golden Light, Supreme among Sutras, is circulated in any city, town, royal palace, tower, monastery, aranya, mountain, marsh, forest, wilderness, or other place, then, World-Honored One, I shall go there, make offerings with reverence, protect it, and assist in its circulation. If in any place a high seat is prepared for a Dharma master to expound this Sutra, I shall use my spiritual power to conceal my own form, remain beneath the seat, and support the feet of that master upon my head. I shall hear the Dharma, rejoice deeply in my heart, partake of the flavor of the Dharma, increase my majestic radiance, and experience immeasurable joy.

“Having personally received such benefit, I shall also cause the fertility of the earth, to a depth of one hundred sixty-eight thousand yojanas, extending as far as the boundary of the vajra wheel, to increase everywhere. I shall even cause all the lands within the four seas to become fertile. The rice fields shall be twice as productive as usual.

I shall also cause the rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes of Jambudvipa, together with its trees, medicinal herbs, forests, all kinds of fruits and flowers, roots, trunks, branches, leaves, grains, and all other things, to have lovely forms pleasing for people to behold, to possess perfect fragrance and color, and to be fit for use and enjoyment. If sentient beings partake of such excellent food and drink, their lives shall be long, their appearance and strength shall flourish, their faculties shall be peaceful and sound, and their radiance shall increase.

They shall suffer no pain or affliction, their minds and wisdom shall be vigorous, and there shall be nothing they are incapable of undertaking. Moreover, whatever is needed from this great earth, even for hundreds of thousands of enterprises, shall be fully provided.

“World-Honored One! Through these causes and conditions, Jambudvipa shall be peaceful, prosperous, and joyful; its people shall be numerous and free from decline and affliction, and all its sentient beings shall enjoy peace and happiness. Having experienced such physical and mental well-being, they shall develop even deeper love and reverence for this King of Sutras. Wherever they may be, people shall all wish to receive and uphold it, make offerings to it, revere, honor, and praise it.

“Furthermore, I shall go to every Dharma seat where that great Dharma master teaches, and for the sake of all sentient beings I shall request the exposition of this Supreme King of Sutras. Why is this? World-Honored One, it is because through the exposition of this Sutra, I and all my retinue shall receive its benefits. Our vitality and radiance shall increase, our majestic power shall become vigorous, and our dignified appearance shall be twice as splendid as usual.

“World-Honored One! Through the grace of the flavor of the Dharma, I, the earth deity Drdha, shall cause the lands of Jambudvipa, measuring seven thousand yojanas both across and lengthwise, to become increasingly fertile, and so forth, as described above, so that all sentient beings shall enjoy peace and happiness. Therefore, World-Honored One, those sentient beings, wishing to repay my kindness, shall form this thought: ‘We shall certainly listen to and receive this Sutra with reverence, make offerings to it, honor it, and praise it.’ Having formed this thought, they shall leave their dwellings in cities, towns, villages, homes, wildernesses, and other places, and go to the Dharma assembly.

They shall bow at the feet of the Dharma master and listen to and receive this Sutra. After listening to and receiving it, they shall return to their native places, their hearts filled with joy, and say to one another: ‘Today we have heard the unsurpassed, profound, and wondrous Dharma. Thus we have gathered an inconceivable accumulation of merit.

Through the power of this Sutra, we shall encounter immeasurable and boundless hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of Buddhas, attend upon them and make offerings to them, and forever escape the places of suffering in the three lower realms.

“‘Moreover, in the future, throughout hundreds of thousands of births, we shall constantly be born in the heavenly realms or among human beings and enjoy excellent and wondrous pleasures.’ Those people shall all return to their former places and expound this King of Sutras to others—whether a single analogy, a single chapter, a single account of a past cause and condition, the name of a single Tathagata, the name of a single bodhisattva, a four-line verse, or even only a single sentence from this scripture.

They may even speak only the title itself to sentient beings. World-Honored One! Wherever those sentient beings dwell, the land in that place shall become more fertile and abundant than elsewhere.

Whatever is produced from that land shall grow luxuriantly, tall, and broad, enabling sentient beings to enjoy happiness. They shall possess an abundance of precious wealth, delight in generosity, and always maintain unwavering and profound faith in the Three Jewels.”

When the earth deity had spoken these words, the World-Honored One said to the earth deity Drdha:

– If any sentient being hears this Sutra of the Sovereign King of Golden Light, even so much as a single sentence, then after the end of that being’s life, that being will be reborn in the Heaven of the Thirty-Three or in another heavenly realm. If any sentient being, wishing to make offerings to this King of Sutras, adorns a dwelling, even so much as raising a single canopy or hanging a five-colored silk banner, then through these causes and conditions, if that being wishes to be born in any of the six heavens, that being will be reborn there according to that intention. Exquisite palaces made of the seven precious substances will be available for enjoyment at will, and in each palace there will naturally be seven thousand heavenly maidens rejoicing together. Day and night, that being will continually enjoy inconceivable and supreme bliss.

After the Buddha had spoken these words, the earth goddess Drdha addressed the Buddha:

– World-Honored One! For this reason, whenever any member of the fourfold assembly ascends the Dharma seat to expound this Dharma, day and night I shall protect that person. Concealing my own form beneath the seat, I shall bear that person’s feet upon the crown of my head. World-Honored One! Thus, because this scripture is intended for those sentient beings who have planted roots of virtue in the presence of hundreds of thousands of Buddhas, it will circulate throughout Jambudvipa and will not perish. When those sentient beings hear this sutra, throughout immeasurable hundreds of thousands of kotis of nayutas of kalpas in future lives, they will continually experience supreme happiness among gods and humans, encounter the Buddhas, swiftly attain unsurpassed, perfect and complete enlightenment, and never undergo the sufferings of birth and death in the three evil destinies.

At that time, the earth goddess Drdha addressed the Buddha:

– World-Honored One! I possess a “heart mantra” that can benefit humans and gods and bring peace and happiness to all. If any man, woman, or member of the fourfold assembly wishes to draw near and behold my true body, that person should single-mindedly recite this dharani. Whatever that person desires will be fulfilled, whether wealth, precious jewels, or hidden treasures. If that person seeks supernormal powers, marvelous medicines of longevity, the healing of every illness, the subjugation of enemies, or the overcoming of heterodox doctrines, the practitioner should enter a pure chamber, establish a ritual sanctuary, bathe, put on clean garments, and sit upon a grass seat. Before a sacred image or at a place containing relics, or at a caitya containing relics, the practitioner should burn incense, scatter flowers, and arrange food and drink as offerings. On the eighth day of the waxing moon, when the constellation Pusya is in conjunction, the practitioner should then recite this mantra of invocation:

Tadyatha ciri ciri - curu curu - kuru kuru - kutu kutu - totu totu - bhaha bhaha - ‘savari ‘savari - svaha.

World-Honored One! If any member of the fourfold assembly recites this mantra one hundred and eight times to invoke me, I shall immediately come in response to that person’s summons.

Furthermore, World-Honored One! If any sentient being wishes to see me manifest bodily and converse with me, that person should likewise arrange the ritual according to the preceding method and recite this mantra:

Tadyatha - acani - griliga ksanati - ‘sira ‘siddhari - ha ha hi hi - kuru - bhare - svaha.

World-Honored One! When a person upholds this mantra, that person should recite it one hundred and eight times while also reciting the preceding mantra. I shall certainly manifest bodily, and whatever that person desires will be accomplished without fail; this will certainly not prove false. When one wishes to recite this mantra, one should first recite the mantra for protecting the body:

Tadyatha ni‘siri ma‘sakani - nati kuti - buddhi buddhire - biti biti - kukuti - baciri - svaha.

World-Honored One! When reciting this mantra, one should take a five-colored thread and, while reciting it twenty-one times, tie twenty-one knots in the thread, then fasten it behind the left elbow. One will thereby be protected and have no fear. If anyone single-mindedly recites this mantra, whatever that person seeks will certainly be fulfilled. I speak no falsehood! I call the precious Buddha, the precious Dharma, and the precious Sangha as witnesses to the truth of this!

At that time, the World-Honored One said to the earth goddess:

– Excellent! Excellent! You are able to use this mantra of truthful words to protect this King of Sutras and those who expound the Dharma! Through these causes and conditions, you will obtain immeasurable merit and blessings.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

THE GREAT YAKSHA GENERAL SAMJNAYA

At that time, the great yaksha general Samjnaya, together with the twenty-eight divisions of yaksha deities, rose from among the great assembly. They bared their right shoulders, knelt with their right knees upon the ground, joined their palms toward the Buddha, and addressed him:

– World-Honored One! Wherever this Sutra of the Sovereign King of Supreme Golden Light is proclaimed and circulated in the present or the future—whether in a city, town, village, mountain, marshland, wilderness, forest, royal palace, or dwelling place of the Sangha—World-Honored One, I, the great yaksha general Samjnaya, together with the twenty-eight divisions of yakshas and all their deities, shall go to that place. Each of us shall conceal our forms and protect the Dharma teacher, causing that teacher to be free from affliction and continually enjoy peace and happiness. As for those who hear the Dharma—whether male or female, boy or girl—if they accept and uphold even a single four-line verse from this sutra, uphold even a single sentence, recite the title of this King of Sutras, or arouse the aspiration to invoke the name of a single Tathagata or bodhisattva, I shall rescue, protect, and embrace them, causing those practitioners to be free from calamities, leave suffering behind, and attain happiness.

World-Honored One! Why is my name Right Understanding? The Buddha himself directly knows and bears witness to the causes and conditions for this!

I know all dharmas; I understand all dharmas. I know everything possessed by all dharmas, the suchness of everything possessed by all dharmas, and the distinctions among the categories, essences, and natures of all dharmas. World-Honored One!

I am able to understand clearly all such dharmas! I possess inconceivable light of wisdom, an inconceivable torch of wisdom, inconceivable conduct of wisdom, and an inconceivable accumulation of wisdom! I am able to penetrate the inconceivable domain of wisdom.

World-Honored One! Thus, with regard to all dharmas, I can rightly know, rightly understand, rightly awaken, and rightly contemplate them! World-Honored One!

For this reason, I, the great yaksha general, am named Right Understanding!

Because of this meaning, I am able to cause that Dharma teacher to speak with clear, complete, and adorned eloquence. I also cause vital energy to enter through the pores of that teacher’s body, filling the body with strength, making its awe-inspiring spiritual power vigorous, and bringing inconceivable wisdom-light and all other qualities to fulfillment. That teacher will attain right mindfulness, never retreat or yield, and gain increased bodily strength without decline. All the faculties will be at ease, and joy will continually arise.

Through these causes and conditions, because those sentient beings have planted roots of virtue and cultivated meritorious karma in the presence of hundreds of thousands of Buddhas, they will proclaim and widely circulate this sutra throughout Jambudvipa, preventing it from quickly disappearing. After hearing this sutra, those sentient beings will attain inconceivable great wisdom-light and immeasurable accumulations of merit and wisdom.

In future lives, throughout immeasurable kotis of nayutas of kalpas, they will enjoy the inconceivable, supremely marvelous happiness of humans and gods. They will continually encounter the Buddhas, swiftly realize unsurpassed, perfect and complete enlightenment, and never again pass through the realm of Yama or the intense sufferings of the three evil destinies.

At that time, the yaksha general Right Understanding addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One! I have a dharani. Now, in the Buddha’s presence, I shall personally proclaim it, wishing to bring abundant benefit and out of compassion for all sentient beings.”

The Yaksha General then pronounced the mantra:

Nam mô Phật đà dã - Nam mô Đạt ma dã - Nam mô Tăng dà dã - Nam mô Bạt la hám ma dã - Nam mô Nhân đạt la dã - Nam mô Chiết đốt nẩm - Mạc hát la xà nẩm - Đát điệt tha - Tứ lí tứ lí -Nhị lí nhị lí - Cù lí - Mạc ha cù lí - Kiền đà lí - Mạc ha kiền đa lí - Đạt la nhị trĩ - Mạc ha đạt la nhị trĩ - Đạn trà khúc khuyến đệ - Ha ha ha ha ha - Tứ tứ tứ tứ tứ - Hô hô hô hô hô hô - Hán lỗ đàm mê cù đàm mê - Giả giả giả giả - Chỉ chỉ chỉ chỉ - Chủ chủ chủ chủ - Chiên trà nhiếp - Bát la - Thi yết la - Thi yết la - Ốt để sắt tra tứ - Bạc dà phạm - Tăng thân nhĩ gia - Tá ha (Namo Buddhàya namo Dhamàya,

namo Samghàya namo Bramàya namo Indràya namah caturnàm mahàràjànàm tadyathà hiri hiri mili mili Gauri Mahà-gauri Gandhàri Màhà-gandhàri Dravidi Mahàdravidi danda Khukunte hahahahaha hihihihihi hohohohoho haja dhama kudame ca ca ca ca ci ci ci ci cu cu cu cu cande‘svara ‘sikhara ‘sikhara uttistahi bhagavan samcmjàya svàhà).

“If anyone is able to uphold this vidya-mantra, I shall provide that person with the necessities of a happy life: food and drink, clothing, flowers and fruit, unusual cattle, or, if they seek sons or daughters, boys or girls, gold, silver, precious treasures, various articles, necklaces, and so forth. I shall provide all these according to their prayers, ensuring that they lack nothing. This vidya-mantra possesses great power.

Whenever it is recited, I shall swiftly come to that person, remove all obstacles, and enable everything to be accomplished according to their wishes. Those who uphold this mantra should know the following rite: First, paint an image of the yaksha Samjñeya twenty feet high, holding spear and shield. Before this image, establish a four-sided altar, and place upon it vessels containing honey-water or sugar-water, anointing incense, powdered incense, burning incense, and flower garlands.

Then, before the altar, make a fire-pit of clay and place glowing coals within it. Burn suma mustard seeds in the pit while reciting the mantra given above one hundred and eight times, making one offering into the fire with each recitation. Continue until I, the Yaksha General, personally appear and ask the mantra practitioner, ‘What is it that you seek and require?’ Then, according to the practitioner’s reply, I shall fulfill everything sought and satisfy every need.

Whether one seeks gold, silver, or stores of treasure; wishes to travel through the sky like an immortal; seeks the divine eye; or wishes to know what is in the minds of others—I shall grant all sentient beings mastery according to their wishes, enabling them to eradicate their afflictions, swiftly attain liberation, and accomplish all these things.”

At that time, the World-Honored One said to the yaksha general Right Understanding:

“Excellent! Excellent! You are able thus to benefit all sentient beings, proclaim this divine mantra, and protect the True Dharma. Your meritorious benefit is boundless!”

CHAPTER TWENTY: THE RIGHT TREATISE ON THE DHARMA OF KINGS

At that time, the Goddess of the Great Earth, named Firm and Steadfast, rose from among the great assembly, bowed her head at the Buddha’s feet, respectfully joined her palms, and addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One! If a human king ruling a country lacks the True Dharma, he cannot govern the nation, nurture sentient beings in peace, or long preserve his own supreme throne. I pray that the World-Honored One, in his loving-kindness and compassion, will explain for me the essential principles for governing a country contained in the Right Treatise on the Dharma of Kings. When human kings have heard this Dharma, may they follow these words and rightly administer and instruct the world, so that their eminent stations may be preserved forever, their countries remain peaceful, and all their people receive beneficial grace!”

The World-Honored One then said to the earth goddess Firm and Steadfast before the great assembly:

“You should listen attentively. In the past, there was a king named Banner of Venerable Power. That king had a son named Wondrous Banner, who had received the consecration of sovereignty only a short time before.

The royal father then told Wondrous Banner: ‘There is a Right Treatise on the Dharma of Kings called the Teaching of the Lord of Devas (Devendrasamaya). Formerly, before I received the consecration and became ruler of the country, my father, King Banner of Venerable Wisdom-Power, expounded this Right Treatise on the Dharma of Kings to me. Following this treatise, I governed the country well for twenty thousand years and never once gave rise to a thought of acting contrary to the Dharma.

Now you should do likewise and never govern the country through what is contrary to the Dharma. What is called the Right Treatise on the Dharma of Kings? My son, listen attentively!

I shall explain it to you.’”

King Banner of Venerable Power then expounded the Right Treatise to his son in wondrous gathas:

I proclaim this treatise on the Dharma of Kings

To benefit all sentient beings,

To dispel the doubts of the world

And eradicate every fault.

All lords among the devas

And all kings among humankind

Should give rise to joyful hearts,

Join their palms, and hear my proclamation!

Long ago, the hosts of devas

Assembled upon Vajra Mountain.

The Four Kings then arose

And questioned the Great Brahma King:

“O Supremely Honored Sovereign Lord,

Sovereign among humans and devas,

We pray that you have compassion upon us

And put an end to all our doubts!

“How can one who dwells in the world

Come to be called a deva?

Through what causes and conditions

Does one receive the title ‘son of a deva’?

“How can one born in the human world

Alone become the lord of humankind?

And why, when dwelling in the heavens,

Does one become a king of devas?”

When the world-protecting devas

Had thus questioned the Brahma King,

The Lord Brahma

Spoke to them, saying:

“World-Protectors! You should know

That, for the benefit of sentient beings,

You have asked me about the art of governing a country.

I shall explain it; listen carefully!

“Through the power of former wholesome karma,

One is born in heaven and becomes a king;

Or, dwelling in the human world,

One rules as the lord of humankind.

“The devas together grant their protection,

And only then does he enter his mother’s womb.

Once he has entered his mother’s womb,

The devas continue to protect him.

“Though born in the human world,

Because he is supremely honored, he is called a Deva!

Because the devas guard and protect him,

He is also called a son of the devas!

“The Lord of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three

Shares his power to assist the human king,

And all the devas as well,

Employing their own sovereign powers,

“Eliminate all that is contrary to the Dharma

And prevent evil karma from arising;

They teach sentient beings to cultivate goodness

And enable them to gain rebirth in heaven.

“Humans and the hosts of asuras,

Gandharvas and others,

Chandalas and rakshasas

All contribute half of their power;

“The other half is the power of the parents,

Enabling him to abandon evil and cultivate goodness.

The devas together guard and protect him,

Manifesting various auspicious signs.

“If evil karma is committed,

They cause its signs to appear in the world.

The devas no longer guard and protect,

But manifest inauspicious portents.

“When the people of a country commit evil deeds

And the king neglects to restrain them,

He fails to accord with right principle

And to correct them in accordance with the Dharma.

“If he sees evil but does not restrain it,

Lawlessness will continue to increase,

Causing fraud and deceit within the kingdom

To multiply day by day.

“When a king sees the people of his country

Committing evil but does not stop them,

The hosts of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three

All give rise to wrathful minds.

“Because of this, the proper governance of the country is abandoned,

And flattery and falsehood prevail throughout the world.

The kingdom is invaded by hostile enemies,

Who immediately destroy that country.

“Homes and accumulated wealth

Are all dispersed and lost;

All kinds of deception arise,

And people seize one another’s possessions.

“A king obtains his throne through the True Dharma,

Yet if he does not practice that Dharma,

The people of the country will all be scattered and ruined,

Like a lotus pond trampled by elephants.

“Evil winds arise at untimely seasons;

Violent rains fall out of season;

Ominous spirits cause strange transformations;

The sun and moon are eclipsed and lose their light.

“The five grains and every kind of flower and fruit

All fail to ripen and bear produce.”

The land encounters famine

Because the king abandons the true Dharma.

If the king forsakes the true Dharma

And uses evil laws to transform the people,

The devas in their celestial palaces

Behold this and become distressed.

Those assemblies of heavenly kings

Speak together, saying:

“This king acts contrary to the Dharma;

Evil factions draw ever closer.

His royal throne cannot remain secure,

And all the devas are angered.”

Because the devas harbor anger,

That country will fall into ruin.

When unlawful ways are used to instruct the people

And spread throughout the country,

Contention and deceit abound,

Epidemics arise, bringing every kind of suffering.

The celestial lords offer no protection,

And the other devas also abandon it.

The country will be destroyed,

And the king himself will suffer calamities.

His father, mother, wife, and children,

His elder and younger brothers and sisters,

Will encounter the suffering of separation from those they love,

Even to the loss of their lives.

Portentous apparitions appear, and meteors fall;

Two suns both appear,

While hostile bandits come from foreign lands,

And the people of the country are scattered in disorder.

The nation and its chief ministers

Are cast aside and perish;

Elephants, beloved horses, and so forth

Are likewise all lost.

Bandits arise everywhere,

And many people die unjustly.

Evil spirits immediately enter the country,

And epidemics spread throughout the land.

The highest ministers of the realm

And all the deputy commanders

Harbor flattery and deceit in their hearts,

And together they act contrary to the Dharma.

When they see people acting unlawfully,

Affection and respect arise in them;

But those who practice the wholesome Dharma

They punish with cruel torments.

Because they honor evil people

And punish the virtuous,

The stars, rain, and winds

No longer proceed at their proper times.

Three kinds of evil arise,

And the true Dharma becomes concealed.

Sentient beings lose their radiance,

And the fertility of the earth sinks away.

Because evil is honored and goodness despised,

Three kinds of calamity arise:

Hail falls out of season,

And the sufferings of famine and epidemics spread.

Fruits and grains

All lose their delicious flavor.

Within that country,

Illnesses among sentient beings multiply.

The trees throughout the land,

Which formerly bore sweet and delicious fruit,

Consequently all deteriorate,

Becoming bitter and astringent, without pleasant flavor.

The wondrous gardens and groves of former times,

Those delightful places for recreation and sightseeing,

Suddenly all wither away,

And those who see them become distressed.

Rice, wheat, and fruits

Gradually lose their pleasant flavor.

The heart takes no delight in eating them;

How then could the four great elements flourish?

The radiance of sentient beings diminishes,

And all their strength declines.

Though they consume more food and drink,

They still cannot become satisfied.

All the sentient beings

Within the borders of that realm

Lack strength and courage

And are incapable of carrying out their tasks.

The people of the country suffer many illnesses,

And every kind of pain afflicts their bodies.

Malignant spirits spread everywhere,

And rakshasas arise in every place.

If a king acts contrary to the Dharma

And associates closely with evil people,

He causes the three worlds

To suffer decline and harm thereby.

Thus, boundless faults

Appear within that country,

All because he sees evildoers

Yet neglects to punish them severely.

Through the protection and aid of the devas,

He has been able to become the king of the country,

Yet he does not employ the true Dharma

To safeguard the borders of his realm.

Those who cultivate wholesome conduct

Will be reborn among the devas;

Those who create evil karma

Will certainly fall into the three evil destinies after death.

If the king leaves the people of the country

To commit transgressions as they please,

The assembly of devas in the Heaven of the Thirty-Three

Will all become deeply distressed.

One who disobeys the teachings of the devas

And the admonitions of father and mother

Is a person contrary to the Dharma,

Neither a filial child nor a true king.

If, within the country,

He sees people acting contrary to the Dharma,

He must punish them in accordance with the law

And must not simply let them pass uncorrected.

Therefore, all the celestial assemblies

Protect and uphold the king of the country.

Because he eliminates every evil practice

And skillfully cultivates roots of goodness,

The king, while dwelling in this world,

Will certainly receive the reward in his present life.

Because he encourages sentient beings

To practice wholesome karma and abandon evil karma,

And reveals the consequences of good and evil,

He is therefore worthy to become a king among humans.

All the devas together guard and protect him,

And all rejoice in accord.

Benefiting himself and benefiting others,

He governs the country by means of the true Dharma.

When he sees flatterers and deceivers,

He must immediately punish them according to the law.

Even if he should lose his royal throne

Or encounter conditions threatening his life,

He must never commit evil acts

Nor see evil and simply let it pass.

Among all grave calamities,

None surpasses the loss of the royal throne;

Such loss is entirely caused by flatterers and deceivers,

And these people must be severely punished.

If deceitful people are present,

The king will lose his royal throne.

Through them, royal governance is damaged,

As when an elephant enters a flower garden.

The celestial lords are all angered,

And the asuras are likewise angered,

Because those who have become kings among humans

Do not govern their countries according to the Dharma.

Therefore, in accordance with the law,

They must punish evil people,

Transform sentient beings through goodness,

And never comply with what is contrary to the Dharma.

They should rather relinquish their own lives

Than comply with what is contrary to the Dharma.

Kinsmen (Bandhu-Jana) and those who are not kinsmen (Parajana)

They should regard equally, without distinction.

If one becomes a king of the true Dharma

And shows no partiality within the country,

That Dharma king will gain renown

That is heard throughout the three realms.

The assembly of devas in the Heaven of the Thirty-Three

Will rejoice and say:

“The Dharma king of Jambudvipa

Is indeed our own son!

He transforms sentient beings through goodness

And governs the country by the true Dharma.

By encouraging them to practice the true Dharma,

He will cause them to be reborn in our palaces!”

The devaputras and all the devas,

Together with the assemblies of asuras,

Because the king transforms beings through the Dharma,

Will always possess joyful hearts.

All the celestial assemblies rejoice

And together protect and uphold the human king.

The stars move in their proper positions,

And the sun and moon do not depart from their regular courses.

Harmonious winds always accord with the seasons,

And sweet rain falls at the proper times.

Every season’s crops ripen well,

And the people no longer suffer famine.

All the celestial assemblies

Abide in abundance within their palaces.

Therefore, a human king should

Propagate the true Dharma without regard for himself.

He should honor the precious Dharma,

For through it sentient beings attain peace and happiness.

He should therefore always draw near to the true Dharma

And adorn himself with merit.

His retinue will always rejoice,

And every evil will remain far away.

By using the Dharma to transform sentient beings,

He will cause them always to dwell in peace and security

And cause all those people

To practice the ten wholesome deeds.

His territory will always be abundant and joyful,

And the country will enjoy peace and security.

The king instructs the people through the Dharma

And skillfully restrains evil conduct.

He will always gain a good reputation

And bring peace and happiness to all sentient beings.

At that time, all the kings of the great earth and the great assemblies were filled with joy, faithfully accepted this teaching, and reverently practiced it.