At that time, all the Buddhas who had come from the ten directions praised Śākyamuni Tathāgata, saying: “Excellent! Excellent! You have, through the empowering force of the Tathāgata’s supernatural power, expounded this past-life cause and condition and revealed this secret Tathāgata dhāraṇī. This dhāraṇī is the secret of all Tathāgatas; it is the mother of all Tathāgatas; it is the heart-secret dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas; it is the Dharma wheel–turning secret dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas; it is the dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas’ journeys to the path of enlightenment; it is the secret dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas ascending the vajra lion throne; it is the supernatural play dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas; it is the perfection of pāramitās secret dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas; it is the dhāraṇī that gathers and holds the prajñāpāramitā of all Tathāgatas; it is the mantra-secret dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas; it is the mandala-secret dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas; it is the mudrā-holding secret dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas; it is the dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas emitting the koṭi radiances; it is the ultimate reality secret dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas; it is the samādhi-miraculous empowerment secret dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas; it is the bodhicitta-ornament secret dhāraṇī of all bodhisattvas; it is the secret dhāraṇī of all bodhisattvas establishing the Tathāgata ground; it is the samādhi-penetrating secret dhāraṇī of all; it is the dhāraṇī that destroys all obstructions. Are you now about to expound this Dharma teaching?”
At that time, Śākyamuni Tathāgata, the Worthy of Offerings, the Perfectly and Completely Enlightened One, abiding in right mindfulness and wisdom, contemplated all Tathāgatas and emitted a great Brahmā sound. He then radiated hundreds of thousands of koṭis of nayutas of various kinds of light—blue, yellow, red, white, purple, and others—shining universally upon the Buddha-lands of the ten directions. After illuminating them, this light awakened all the Tathāgatas. The radiance then returned and circled the Buddha three times before finally entering the crown of his head. When the light disappeared,
at that time, the World-Honored One, with a pure and sublime Brahmā voice, proclaimed The Dhāraṇī of Awakening in the midst of the great assembly:
om sarva tathāgata maṇi śatadipte / jvala jvla dharmma dhātu garbhe / maṇi maṇi mahāmaṇi / tathāgata hṛdaya maṇi svāhā
After the proclamation of this Great Radiant Dhāraṇī of Awakening, the mountains, forests, and earth underwent six types of tremors. All Tathāgatas simultaneously praised: “Excellent! Excellent! Śākyamuni Tathāgata! You have skillfully expounded this supreme secret dhāraṇī.”
In the sky appeared clouds of Jambūnada gold, filling all ten directions. From these clouds rained seven-treasure showers; then powdered incense of nāga-hard sandalwood was scattered; then udumbara flowers descended as offerings. There also came all sorts of wondrous flowers, followed by lotus flowers, kumuda flowers, puṇḍarīka flowers, suvarnjuthica flowers, madala flowers, mahā-madala flowers, raja flowers, mahāraja flowers, manjishtha flowers, mahā-manjishtha flowers, sumana flowers, malliśī flowers, jambu flowers, offered in reverence to the Buddha.
All demon palaces burst into fierce flames. All demonic beings became sorrowful and emaciated, filled with extreme terror. All obstructive beings—Vināyakas—were stricken with fear, their bodies sweating and exuding foul odors. They fled in all ten directions. All the devas who had developed pure faith in the Buddha, along with devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kiṁnaras, mahoragas, humans, and non-humans, each held offerings and reverently made offerings to the Tathāgata.”
Moreover, Maṇi Radiant Contemplation Bodhisattva, as leader, together with immeasurable koṭis of nayutas of hundreds of thousands of bodhisattvas, all presented various wondrous treasures to offer to the Buddha. At that time, Vajrapāṇi Bodhisattva, as leader, along with innumerable hundreds of thousands of mantra-holding deities, each offered various hundreds of thousands of heavenly garments to the Buddha. There were also the Four Great Heavenly Kings, along with countless hundreds of thousands of millions of the Four King’s retinues, offering fragrant flowers, perfumed ointments, powdered incense, flower garlands, robes, banners, and canopies to the Buddha.
Brahmā and his celestial retinue came forward to offer. The Thirty-Three Heavens, with hundreds of thousands of millions of celestial beings, led by Śakra, also came to offer. Similarly, Nārāyaṇa Heaven, Mahā-īśvara Heaven, Jewel-Virtue, Full-Virtue, and Virtue-Power Heaven all came together to make offerings. The sun and moon celestial lords, from the sky, offered to the Buddha. There were also Great Auspicious Goddess, Great Eloquence Goddess, Śaṅkhinī Goddess, Haritī Yakṣa Goddess, along with innumerable hundreds of thousands of yakṣas as retinues. There were also Vimala Great Goddess, Vajra-Kālī Goddess, Floral-Tooth Goddess, Great Messenger Goddess—hundreds of thousands of millions—all offering celestial palaces to the Buddha.
Innumerable gandharvas performed hundreds of thousands of kinds of divine music to offer to the Buddha. There were also innumerable hundreds of thousands of dragon kings assembled, including Sāgara Dragon King, Nanda Dragon King, Upananda Dragon King, Varuṇa Dragon King, Excellent Abiding Dragon King, Jeweled Topknot Dragon King, and Perfect Form Universal Dragon King—all offering the Buddha various radiant-flavored treasures.
There also appeared a Wheel-Turning King, accompanied by immeasurable hundreds of thousands of millions of ministers, palace women, maidens, and a thousand sons, all surrounding him to make offerings to the Buddha.”
At that time, the earth transformed into a vajra substance. Before the Tathāgata, from the ground emerged a lotus made of seven treasures, with one hundred petals. At the center of the lotus was a vajra thousand-spoked jewel wheel of Jambūnada gold, blazing brightly like the sun, its radiance illuminating the Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds.
From within the jewel wheel came forth a subtle and wondrous sound, proclaiming: “Excellent! Excellent! Śākyamuni Tathāgata! You have been able to proclaim such a secret dhāraṇī, to turn the unsurpassed great Dharma wheel, and to go forth to the great Bodhi site. This dhāraṇī is the heart of luminous realization, the secret of all Tathāgatas. It is the true meaning and essence of all Tathāgatas’ realization. May the World-Honored One now proclaim to us once again this Great Jewel-Extensive Pavilion Dhāraṇī. The World-Honored One has already proclaimed the Dhāraṇī of the Awakening Mind. Because of this dhāraṇī, all the Tathāgatas and their assemblies have been awakened and gathered together. World-Honored One! Now is the proper time to expound this secret dhāraṇī.
“World-Honored One! This dhāraṇī is the very root of Buddhahood. It can eliminate all karmic offenses, exhaust the ocean of suffering, block the wilderness of saṃsāra, and transcend the torrent of afflictions. Without this Great Radiant Dhāraṇī King, one ultimately cannot attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. This dhāraṇī is the seed of Buddhahood; it turns the great Dharma wheel; it ignites the great Dharma torch; it erects the great Dharma banner; it blows the great Dharma conch; it strikes the great Dharma drum; it is the Dharma lion throne. Excellent! World-Honored One! We only pray that you may proclaim for the vast assembly of beings this great dhāraṇī king, the mandala, the mudrā method, and the image visualization method.”
At that time, all those gathered at the great assembly—devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, garuḍas, kiṁnaras, mahoragas, humans and non-humans—gave rise to minds of rare and extraordinary wonder. They bowed to the World-Honored One, gazing up at him in reverence.
At that time, the World-Honored One, having heard the assembly’s sincere request, expounded for them the great Dharma king teaching of this dhāraṇī.”
Chapter Two: Root Dhāraṇī
“Then the World-Honored One addressed the gathered assembly, saying: “I now proclaim this king of dhāraṇī teachings. This dhāraṇī can accomplish unsurpassed bodhi. If there is anyone who upholds it, it can eliminate all karmic offenses, and their body and mind will become purified.”
Immediately, he proclaimed the Root Dhāraṇī, saying:”
namaḥ sarva tathāgatānāṃ / oṃ vipula garbhe maṇi prabhe tathatā nidarśane / maṇi maṇi suprabhe vimale sāgara gambhīre / hūṃ hūṃ jvala jvala / buddha vilokite guhyādhiṣṭhita garbhe svāhā
After the World-Honored One had proclaimed this Root Dhāraṇī of the Great Jewel-Extensive Pavilion Excellent Abiding Secret, the earth underwent six kinds of tremors. From the heavens rained great treasures and various wondrous flowers. All members of the assembled gathering gave rise to joy in their hearts and praised what they had never encountered before, saying that this dhāraṇī enables all wholesome Dharmas to be perfected and leads to realization of the Tenth Grounds of the bodhisattva path.
At that time, the Buddhas and Tathāgatas of the ten directions praised Śākyamuni Tathāgata in unison, saying: “Excellent! Śākyamuni Tathāgata! You have expounded this dhāraṇī for entering the site of bodhi. Merely hearing this dhāraṇī once can eliminate all evil destinies. Merely recollecting this dhāraṇī is equivalent to making offerings of all kinds of exquisite fragrant flowers, perfumed ointments, and powdered incense to all Buddhas of the ten directions. If one is able to recite and uphold this dhāraṇī, one will attain non-retrogressive unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Even if a hundred kalpas, a thousand kalpas, or hundreds of thousands of kalpas were to pass, all Tathāgatas would still not be able to exhaust the praises of this dhāraṇī’s merit. This dhāraṇī possesses great power: all demonic hordes will never be able to create obstacles; all enemies, evil friends, ghosts, spirits, yakṣas, rākṣasas, humans and non-humans alike will be unable to inflict harm. It can increase immeasurable roots of virtue. Merely reciting this dhāraṇī can bring forth immeasurable blessings and rewards—how much more so if one recites and upholds it consistently! The resulting merit would be inestimable.””
At that time, the Yakṣa General Vajra Wielder and the Four Great Heavenly Kings came before the Buddha, respectfully joined their palms, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, and after making offerings, reported to the Buddha: “World-Honored One! We will protect those sentient beings who recite this dhāraṇī. We will empower and safeguard them, so they all may obtain joy.”
The World-Honored One extended his golden arm and gently touched the crown of Vajrapāṇi Bodhisattva’s head and comforted the Four Great Heavenly Kings, saying: “I entrust this dhāraṇī to you. If there are any who uphold and recite this dhāraṇī, you must protect and support them.”
Vajrapāṇi Bodhisattva and the Four Great Heavenly Kings said to the Buddha: “World-Honored One! Having received your entrustment, we shall, through the power of this great king of Dharma teachings, constantly protect all sentient beings who uphold this dhāraṇī.”
Chapter Three: Heart and Wish-Fulfilling Dhāraṇī
At that time, the World-Honored One further proclaimed the Heart Dhāraṇī, saying:
Oṃ maṇi vajri hūṃ
Then the World-Honored One also proclaimed the Wish-Fulfilling Dhāraṇī, saying:
Oṃ maṇi dhari hūṃ phaṭ
“If someone recites and upholds the Root Dhāraṇī, there is no need to select specific days or stars, nor are they restricted by fasting regulations. Once they have completed ten thousand recitations, they should, on the fifteenth day of the bright month, bathe in purity, wear clean clothes, make offerings according to their capacity, light four lamps, and scatter various fragrant flowers before the Buddha or a stūpa containing relics. The one who upholds the dhāraṇī should eat three types of white food, circumambulate the stūpa one hundred and eight times, recite the dhāraṇī one hundred and eight times, and then rest on the spot. At dawn, the Tathāgata will appear, and Vajrapāṇi Bodhisattva will also manifest before them. All of their wishes will be fulfilled.
“If someone have committed one of the five heinous crimes of uninterrupted retribution, they must perform this practice three times in order to elicit a response. They should not give rise to doubt. If someone recite one hundred and eight times every morning, all their aspirations will be accomplished. Curses, poisons, and other harms will not injure them. Water cannot drown them, fire cannot burn them, thieves cannot rob them, and illnesses will not afflict them. They will not be harmed by enemies or terrifying threats. They will not suffer from major illnesses, nor from diseases of the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, mouth, teeth, lips, head pain, joint pain, or various forms of malaria such as one-day, two-day, three-day, or four-day fever. No poisonous snakes, tigers, wolves, birds, or beasts will be able to harm them. Sorcery, curses, and black magic will also be ineffective against them.
“Such is the vast power of this dhāraṇī—it can pacify all fears and terrors, eliminate all evil obstructions, generate all virtues, fulfill the six pāramitās, and lead to realization of the Tathāgata’s state. Upon merely beginning to recite this dhāraṇī, all endeavors will succeed.”
“If someone ascends the summit of a high mountain and recites this dhāraṇī, then all beings within the range of their vision will have their karmic offenses extinguished, be liberated from all hellish retribution, and avoid rebirth in the animal realm. If they recite this dhāraṇī in a temple of celestial deities, the gods will all submit to their instructions. If they recite this dhāraṇī by a naga pool, all nagas will come to offer their allegiance. If they recite it in front of the sun, the Solar Celestial Lord will appear and fulfill their wishes. If they recite this dhāraṇī before an image of Vajrapāṇi Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva himself will appear and their desires will be fulfilled.
“If someone takes calamus root and recites this dhāraṇī one thousand and eight times, then enters a royal palace with it in their mouth, their words will bring joy and pure faith to the royal consorts and maidens. If they empower black pepper by reciting this dhāraṇī and hold it in their mouth while speaking, their words will be trusted and well-received, filling others with delight. If they empower white mustard seeds one thousand and eight times and scatter them into the sky, all violent winds, thunder, and hail will dissipate. If they empower salt one hundred and eight times and offer it to a pure brāhmaṇa, the brāhmaṇa will come to love and respect them, and anyone who eats the salt will be joyful.
“If one seeks the affection of the kṣatriya caste, they should perform a homa using white mustard seeds one thousand and eight times, and they will receive esteem and affection. If one recite this dhāraṇī to empower benzoin one thousand and eight times and burns it in front of a person possessed by spirits, the possessing entities will depart according to their wishes, and the patient will recover.”
“If there is a great drought, first smear the ground with gomatī and construct a maṇḍala four cubits square. In the center draw a blue water pool two cubits wide. Using gomatī mixed with clay, sculpt a dragon in the center of the pool: from the waist up it has the body and face of a bodhisattva, and from the top of its head arise three serpent heads; from the waist down it has a serpent’s body, coiled in the pool. Paint the entire dragon’s body red with cinnabar. Apply gold foil to the heart area of the dragon. Around the maṇḍala, draw lotus flowers with white chalk. Place four arrows in the four corners of the maṇḍala, wrap five-colored threads around them forming a boundary around the maṇḍala. Hang five-colored small banners from the threads. Place four water vases at the four corners. Install incense burners at the four gates. Prepare four small vessels: one with cow’s milk, one with cheese, one with milk porridge, and one with ghee mixed with sugar. Light four lamps and burn four types of incense: benzoin, aloeswood, white sandalwood, and storax. Scatter seven types of grain on the altar—barley, wheat, rice, mung beans, sesame seeds, mustard seeds, and white mustard seeds—and offer five-colored foods and various flowers and fruits. The practitioner should sit facing east. Begin by reciting the dhāraṇī over white mustard seeds one thousand and eight times to empower them. Then, for each repetition of the dhāraṇī, affix one mustard seed to the dragon’s head. Once one thousand and eight seeds have been placed, the dragon will cause rain to fall, and all dragon spirits will be pacified. If one wishes to stop the rain, recite the dhāraṇī one hundred and eight times over white mustard seeds, then cast the seeds into the dragon pool, and the rain will cease.
“If there are fierce winds or hailstorms, take kuṭhāra wood to make a stake and drive it into the ground at the edge of the dragon pool; the hail will not fall, and the violent winds will stop.
“If one wishes to bind Vinayaka, empower white mustard seeds one hundred and eight times and place them on the Vinayaka’s head—then it will be unable to cause harm. Wash the Vinayaka with milk, and it will be liberated.
“Whatever acts the ritual master undertakes will all be accomplished. The one who recites and upholds this dhāraṇī must always remain clean, wear clean clothes, and maintain purity at all times. This is the method for practicing the Root Dhāraṇī.”
Dharma Torch 