Translated by Imperial Command by the Translation Tripiṭaka Master of the Western Heaven, Court Attendance Grand Master, Probationary Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, Doctrine Comprehension Master, His Majesty’s Servant Fa Xian
Thus have I heard.
At one time, the Buddha was in the Land of Sukhāvatī, together with many great Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas and multitudes of bhūtas. At that time, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara came to where the Buddha was. Having arrived, he paid homage at the Buddha’s feet with his head and face, and then sat to one side. There was also a Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva named Great Auspiciousness, who likewise came to where the Buddha was. Having arrived, he circumambulated the Buddha three times, paid homage at the Buddha’s feet with his head and face, and then withdrew to sit at one side.
At that time, when the World-Honored One saw the Bodhisattva Great Auspiciousness, he addressed the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, saying, “This Bodhisattva Great Auspiciousness possesses a Dhāraṇī. If, in Jambudvīpa, in the impure and evil age, there are bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, upāsikās, and others who are able to see, hear, and rejoice, to recite and uphold it, to have faith and understanding in this Dharma Gate, and to contemplate and keep it in mind, then those who are poor and suffering will obtain great wealth and nobility. Even the bhūtas will all come to cherish and respect them. Such merit and virtue cannot be fully enumerated.”
At that time, after the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara heard the Buddha’s words, he was filled with joy and enthusiasm. He immediately rose from his seat, joined his palms, and addressed the Buddha, saying, “World-Honored One, I now delight in hearing this. I only pray that the World-Honored One will expound it for me.”
At that time, the World-Honored One spoke this Great Auspicious Dhāraṇī:
tadyathā / lakṣmī / śrī-padmi vāhinī / dhanā dhipati / gaurī / mahāyaśā / pasma-netri / mahā-dyuti / annadāye / ratna-prabha / mahā-śrī / bhayadāna grini grini / sarva akārya śyāmī dhini dhini / si si si si / niti niti / hini hini / alakṣmī vināśaya / sarva rakṣami miṣat dhyānaya svāhā / namaḥ sarva buddha bodhisatve bhyaḥ svāhā
At that time, after the World-Honored One had spoken this sūtra, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, Great Auspicious Bodhisattva, together with the other Bodhisattvas and the bhūtas, having heard the Buddha’s words, all gave rise to great joy, accepted it with faith, and practiced accordingly.
Dharma Torch 