Translated by the Tripiṭaka Śramaṇa Amoghavajra of the Tang Dynasty
Thus have I heard.
At one time, the Bhagavān was in the Land of Ultimate Bliss, surrounded before and behind by an immeasurable multitude of Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas, for whom he expounded the Dharma. At that time, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara and the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva Great Auspicious Goddess, among others, all rose from their seats, went to where the World-Honored One was, paid homage at the Buddha’s feet with their heads and faces, and then each sat to one side.
At that time, for the sake of benefiting all kinds of sentient beings who possessed little merit and virtue and who were poor, the World-Honored One addressed the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, saying, “Virtuous man, if there are bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, laymen, lay women, and all kinds of sentient beings who know these twelve names of the Great Auspicious Goddess, and are able to uphold and recite them, cultivate offerings, and proclaim them for others, they will be able to eliminate all karmic obstructions of poverty, obtain great wealth and nobility, and possess abundant riches.”
At that time, the assembly of devas, nāgas, and the eight classes of beings present at the Dharma assembly all spoke in one voice, saying, “Just as the World-Honored One has said, it is true and not false. We wish to hear these twelve names. We only pray that the World-Honored One, out of great compassion, will expound them for us.”
The Buddha said, “You should listen carefully. I shall now expound them for you. These twelve names are:
Auspicious Felicity, Auspicious Lotus, Adorned, Endowed with Wealth, White, Great Renown, Lotus Eyes, Great Radiance, Giver of Food, Giver of Drink, Jewel Light, Great Auspiciousness.
You should uphold them. I shall now also speak this Great Auspicious Goddess Dhāraṇī:
tadyathā / śrīṇi śrīṇi / sarva kārya sādhani / sini sini / ni ni ni ni / alakṣme nāśaya svāhā”
At that time, after the World-Honored One had spoken this Dhāraṇī, he told the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, saying, “This Great Auspicious Dhāraṇī and these twelve names are able to eliminate poverty and all inauspicious matters. All wishes and aspirations will be fulfilled. If one is able, during the three periods of day and night, to recite this scripture, reciting it three times in each period, or to uphold it continually without interruption, and with a mind intent on benefiting sentient beings, according to one’s capacity, to make sincere offerings to the Bodhisattva Great Auspicious Goddess, one will swiftly obtain abundant wealth, prosperity, and auspicious peace and happiness.”
At that time, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, together with the great assembly and the devas, nāgas, and the eight classes of beings, having heard from the Buddha these twelve names and the Dhāraṇī, exclaimed that they had never encountered such a teaching before. All gave rise to great joy, accepted it with faith, and practiced accordingly.”
Dharma Torch 