Translator’s note: “寶賢” (Maṇibhadra, “Jewel Virtue”) is a yakṣa lord who appears in multiple Buddhist sūtras. He is believed to have the power to dispel poverty and bring wealth to Buddhist practitioners. This short scripture presents the dhāraṇī of Jewel Virtue, along with simple methods for recitation and the benefits it brings.
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 Jetavana Grove in the country of Śrāvastī, abiding together with assembly of Great Bodhisattvas. At that time, there was a great yakṣa lord named Jewel Virtue who came to the place where the Buddha was. Having arrived, he bowed his head at the Buddha’s feet, joined his palms in reverence, and respectfully said to the Buddha:
“World-Honored One! I possess a great secret mind Dhāraṇī, and I wish to proclaim it. I only pray that the World-Honored One will show compassion and protection. World-Honored One! This Dhāraṇī, if there are bhikṣus, bhikṣuṇīs, upāsakas, and upāsikās who recite it with single-minded attention three times in one day, then I shall constantly act as their support. In all matters they will obtain auspiciousness. Even in food, clothing, bedding, gold, silver, precious treasures, wealth, grains, and rice, I shall continually provide for them. I will also accomplish for them all kinds of supreme benefits, and cause all people everywhere to cherish and respect them. Except for actions motivated by lust, anger, and delusion, which are evil and unwholesome, in all other undertakings everything will accord with their wishes.”
At that time, the World-Honored One knew that this great yakṣa lord Jewel Virtue was sincere and full of faithful respect. Wishing to bring peace and happiness to all beings who were poor and afflicted, he said: “Excellent, excellent! Great yakṣa lord Jewel Virtue! You are able to act for the benefit of all beings. I also wish to hear it. Proclaim it according to your intention.” Thereupon, the great yakṣa lord Jewel Virtue proclaimed the Dhāraṇī:
namo ratna trayāya / namo maṇi bhadrāya mahā yakṣa senapataye / sayetena hiri maṇi bhadrāya / hiri hiri maṇi bhadrāya / kiri maṇi bhadrāya / kiri kiri maṇi bhadrāya / ciri maṇi bhadrāya / ciri ciri maṇi bhadrāya / culo maṇi bhadrāya / culo culo maṇi bhadrāya / curu maṇi bhadrāya / curu curu maṇi bhadrāya / turu maṇi bhadrāya / turu turu maṇi bhadrāya / huru maṇi bhadrāya / huru huru maṇi bhadrāya / suru maṇi bhadrāya / suru suru maṇi bhadrāya / sarva aridami sādhaya svāhā / tadyatā patade supatade / surumi sumate surate / sukṣama bihirike / hiri kuri pūraṇī siddha bhadri hiri hiri svāhā / ihi huniṣke ihi siniṣke ihi guniṣke svāhā
After he had spoken this Dhāraṇī, the great yakṣa lord Jewel Virtue again addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One! If there are those who, in accordance with the Dharma, uphold and recite this Dhāraṇī seven times, then all the supreme benefits they undertake will be accomplished. Furthermore, if there are those who, on the fifteenth day of the bright fortnight, maintain purity and observe the precepts, and three times in one day burn aloeswood and sandalwood incense, and recite this Dhāraṇī until reaching eight thousand recitations, then whatever gold, silver, and precious treasures they desire will all be obtained as they wish.”
At that time, after the great yakṣa lord had spoken this Dhāraṇī, he paid homage to the Buddha and withdrew.
After the Buddha had spoken this sūtra, the assembly of Bodhisattvas, having heard what the Buddha had taught, all rejoiced greatly, accepted it with faith, and practiced accordingly.
Dharma Torch 