- Thứ 3 Tháng 11 11, 2008 4:50 am
IV. The Dharani Of Great Satisfaction, Of Fearlessness And Compassion Sutra From Thousand Heads, Thousand Arms Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.
In the Tang’s Dynasty, samana Bragavatdharma, a citizen of India so translated.
As I have heard, once His Holiness Sakyamuni resided at the Precious Solemn Bodhimandala in the palace of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in the mountain of Potalaka. Buddha sat in the majestic Lion Palace adorned with countless various jewels, surrounded by many banners, pennants, and precious adornments.
At the time, Buddha was sitting in a chair, about to lecture on the subject of the Dharani practice. Numerous Bodhisattvas were present at the assembly. They included: Cundi Bodhisattva, Precious King Bodhisattva, Bhaichadyaradja Bodhisattva, Bhaichadjyaradjasamudgata, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthama-prapta Bodhisattva, Avatamsaka Bodhisattva, Vyuharadja Bodhisattva, Ratnagarbha Bodhisattva, Srigarbha Bodhisattva, Vajragarbha Bodhisattva, Akasagarbha Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Manjuri Bodhisattva. These Bodhisattvas are masters of Abhisekha doctrine. Numerous great erudite monks who were Arhats and were cultivating the tenth stage of Buddhahood (Dasabhumi) also came to the assembly. Among them Maha-Kacyapa was the leader. Numerous Brahmans Mara lead by with Indra Brahma also came to the assembly.
Numerous Kings in Kamadhatu Kamavacara realms headed by Kopaya King, numerous guardians of Tchaturmaharadja Caturmaharaja, the four Guardians Gods headed byAhrtarastra, also numerous Devas, Dragons, Demons, Gandharava, Asuras Gods, Garudas, Kinnaras, Mahoragas, Kinnaras (half human beings) headed by the Great Dragon King came to the assembly.
Also present were numerous celestial maidens (Devi from Kamadhatu realm, or realm of Desire) with the Goddess To'ng Mu`as their leader and the Spirit of the sky, Spirits of rivers and sea, Spirits of springs and rivers, of herbal medicine, of forests, of residence, of palaces, of ocean, fire, earth, wind, and the Spirit of earth, mountain and stone.
At that time, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva invisibly emitted a supernatural brilliant golden light that illuminated all ten directions of Ksha country and the three heavens of this Great World. The heaven palace, the Dragon’s palace and the palace of the Asuras trembled. The ocean, river, springs and the neighboring iron mountain (Vimalasvabhara), Mt. Merou, the earth mountain, the black mountain were shaken violently. The intense brilliance of the golden light dimmed all sunlight, moonlight, starlight and the light of jewels and fire.
The Dharani king Bodhisattva was very surprised at such a display of power, something he had never seen before. He rose from his seat, put his palms together in respect and asked the Buddha.
Who has become enlightened today?
Who could emit such brilliant radiance?
That brightens ten directions of the country
and the heavenly realms.
Who had attained such autonomy?
To display such rare power
That shakes even the Buddha's realm
and the palace of Dragon.
Who had this great spiritual force?
Is it the light from Amitaba Buddha?
Or from the Bodhisattva, or the Prateyka
Or is it from Indra or Brahma?
All of us in the assembly wondered
What could be the reason for this event?
We wanted to understand, and with full respect
We all look toward the Great Compassionate One.
Buddha told the Dharani King Bodhisattva: Noble son! You should know that in this assembly there is the Great Bodhisattva named Avalokitesvara, who successfully practiced the Dharani doctrine over countless lives and had achieved the Heart of Great Compassion mantra. This Bodhisattva had performed this spiritual power to give joy and safety to all beings.
When Buddha finished his words, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva rose from his seat, adjusted his robe and put his palms together. He faced Buddha and said,” World Honored One, I have the Dharani of Great Compassion to give safety, happiness, health, wealth and longevity to all sentient beings. I wish that all beings could get rid of the bad karmas and escape from obstacles, accidents and disaster. I wish that they could have more merits when they practice the good doctrines, that they could achieve good roots, that they have no fear and have all of their wishes granted quickly. I do ask great compassionate Buddha for his consent and authorization. Buddha said: noble son! You have great compassion. If you have the Dharani that brings benefits and happiness to all beings, this is the right time to give it. All the Buddhas and I are pleased to hear this.
Avalokitesvara said,” World Honored One! I recall in trillions previous lives, there was Forever Peaceful Buddha who had compassion for all beings and for me so he gave the Great Satisfaction- Fearless- Great Compassion Dharani. He rubbed my head with his luminous hand and said: “Noble son! You should receive and practice this Dharani to do well for all beings in future lives and to give them safety and happiness.” I was then only at the first rank of Bodhisattvahood, when I heard this Dharani I immediately reached the 8th rank. I was very happy so I made this vow: “If in my future life I could ensure safety and happiness for all living beings with this Dharani, let me have a thousand hands and a thousand eyes.” Immediately, a thousand hands and a thousand eyes appeared on my body. Then ten directions of the earth trembled in six directions, and the thousand Buddhas in ten directions projected their brilliant light on the whole world and me. From then on, I have attended numerous assemblies with countless Buddhas and listened to this Dharani. Every time I heard it, I was full of joy because it helped me cross over the micro-subtle samsara over countless life cycles. Since then, I have never forgotten or abandoned the practice. Thanks to the power of this Dharani, I was re-born from the Lotus flower rather than from a womb. I have frequently met with Buddha and heard his doctrines. If there are Bhiksus, Bhiksunis, Upasakas, Upasikas, young men or women who wish to receive and uphold this mantra, they should have compassion for all living beings and like me, make these vows:
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow to quickly know all the Dharmas.
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow to soon obtain the wisdom eyes.
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow to save all living beings.
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow to have expedient means.
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow to get on the Wisdom boat.
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow to cross the sea of sufferings.
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow to practice precepts and meditation.
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow to climb up Nirvana Mountain
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow to come back to the house of Asamskrta.
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow to be one with the Dharma nature.
If I face the mountain of swords, the mountain itself immediately collapses.
If I face the fire or boiling oil, the fire extinguishes on its own.
If I face the Hells, the Hells are instantly destroyed.
If I face hungry ghosts, the hungry ghosts become full.
If I face the Asuras, their cruel heart is tamed.
If I face the animals, they attain great wisdom.
This Vow so given, say my name heartily, and most of all call on my teacher Amitabha Buddha, and then recite this Dharani. If anyone in one day and night recites this Dharani 5 times, he can eliminate grave sins committed in a million kalpas.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said to Buddha: World Honored One! Should any living beings recite and hold the spiritual mantra of Great Compassion and fall into the three evil paths, I vow not to realize the right enlightenment. Should he not be reborn in any Buddha land, I vow not to realize the right enlightenment. Should he not obtain unlimited samadhis and eloquence, I vow not to realize the right enlightenment. Should he not obtain whatever he seeks in this life, except for bad and dishonest wishes I swear not to achieve Enlightenment. Should the wishes in this life be not fulfilled then this Dharani cannot be called the Great Compassion Dharani. Should any women get tired of their female bodies and wish to have a male body, but fail
to get one by reciting the Great Compassion Dharani, I swear not to become Buddha. Anyone who recites this Dharani while doubting it will not get any result. Anyone who steals money and food from common property is committing serious sins. In this case, even a thousand Buddhas coming to this world will not be able to help him redeem, and even if he repents, those sins will not be fully erased. If anyone commits those sins, he should turn toward the Dharma master (Nayoka) in the ten directions for repentance and only then can his sins be erased. Why so?
Because when he recites the Great Compassion Dharani, the Dharma masters of the ten directions will come to witness. Therefore, all his sins shall be wiped out. Any one who recites this Dharani, all their worse sins and profanities toward the Dharma, the monk, the people, including violating the precepts, stealing from the monk, all such karmas shall be erased. However if one is skeptical about the Dharani, even the lightest offense will not be forgiven, let alone serious crimes. By reciting the Dharani, one can sow the seed of awakening for future life cycles. World Honored One! People and Gods who recite and hold the Great Compassion Mantra will obtain fifteen kinds of good birth and will not suffer fifteen kinds of bad deaths.
The bad deaths are:
1. They will not die of starvation or privation.
2. They will not die from having been yoked, imprisoned, caned
or beaten.
3. They will not die at the hands of hostile enemies.
4. They will not be killed in military battle.
5. They will not be killed by tigers, wolves, or other evil beasts.
6. They will not die from the venom of poisonous snakes, black
serpents, or scorpions
7. They will not drown or be burned to death
8. They will not be poisoned to death
9. They will not die as a result of sorcery
10. They will not die of madness or insanity
11. They will not be killed by landslides or falling trees
12. They will not die of nightmares sent by evil people
13. They will not be killed by deviant spirits or evil ghosts
14. They will not die of evil illnesses that bind the body
15. They will not commit suicide
The fifteen kinds of good birth are:
1. In all lifetimes, one will meet with virtuous king
2. One will always reborn in a safe country.
3. One will always have fortunate times and good conditions.
4. One will always meet with virtuous friends.
5. One will always have a perfect body and have a complete
family.
6. One's mind will be virtuous.
7. One will not allow one's morality to degenerate.
8. One will have good and grateful relatives.
9. One will always have wealth, the means of living.
10. One will always be protected and served by others.
11. One's wealth will not be stolen or taken away.
12. One's wishes will all be fulfilled.
13. One will always have support of the nagas (Dragons) and
Devas
14. In all lifetimes, one will see Buddha and be able to hear the
Dharma.
15. One understands the profound meaning of the pure Dharma
Those are the fifteen good births in a lifetime one can have by reciting the Great Compassion Dharani. Therefore Gods and people should practice it diligently.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva straightened up, put his palms together in front of the Dharma assembly, smiled and recited this wonderful Great Satisfaction-Fearless-Great Compassion Heart Sutra:
Adoration to the Triple Jewels!
Adoration to Avalokitesvara the Bodhisattva-Mahasattva who is the great compassionate one!
Om, to the one who performs a leap beyond all fears!
Having adored him, may I enter into the heart of the blue-necked one known as the noble adorable Avalokitesvara! It means the completing of all meaning, it is pure, it is that which makes all beings victorious and cleanses the path of existence.
.........
When Avolokistevara finished speaking the mantra, the earth shook six ways, the heaven rained jeweled flowers that fell and scattered in abundance on the ground. All the Buddhas of the ten directions were delighted while the hairs of the heavenly Demons and the infidels stood on end for fear.
Everyone in the assembly got certified for their cultivation. Some achieve the rank of Srotapanni, (first rank of sagehood in the Small Vehicle, meaning One Who Enters the Flow) some to the rank of Sakrdagami (2nd rank,), or the rank of Anagamin (3rd rank), some to the rank of Arhat (4th rank). Others attain the first ground, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and even up to the 10th ground of a Bodhisattva. Many people develop the Bodhi mind.
At this time, Brahma stood up from his seat, adjusted his robe, put his palms together and respectfully spoke to Avalokitesvara: “How nice O great man! Since a very long time, I have come to numerous Dharma assemblies. I have heard the essences of doctrine and many Dharanis on many occasions, but I have not heard this excellent Great Compassion Dharani before. Could you please tell me about the form and the appearance of the Dharani? We all want to hear it.”
Avalokitesvara told Brahma: “You have asked this for the benefit of all beings. If you want to hear it, I will briefly explain to all of you”.
“O Brahma! The appearance of this Dharani manifests through great compassion, impartiality, indifferentiation, purity, emptiness, respect, humility, serenity, superior understanding, order and detachment. All those aspects of the heart are the appearance of this Dharani. Use them in your practice”. Brahma replied, “Today, many people and I are honored to understand the form of this Dharani. From now on, we will diligently practice it.”
Avalokitesvara continued: “If any honest man or woman recites this Dharani, he or she will attain the right enlightenment. They must vow to save all beings, to observe the precepts, to have equanimity towards all beings, and they must practice without interruption. In the place of worship, wash and put on clean clothes, hang banners, light the oil lamp, burn the incenses and use flowers, food and beverages as offerings. Focus on reciting the Dharani. Suryaprabha (Sunlight) and Candraprabha (Moonlight) Bodhisattvas together with countless Deities and Immortals will come to witness and help the practitioner. I will also use a thousand eyes to enlighten, a thousand hands to encourage by every means, so that one will thoroughly understand the classic book on the legend of The Genie Protector Of the Doctrine, all the books in the world and all the unorthodox practices of magic. This Dharani can cure 84,000 kinds of diseases in the world, subdue heavenly Demons and the infidels, as well as command all Genies. If the devoted person is in the desolated mountains or deserted fields and mountains goblins, evil spirits or demons disturbed him, he needs only recite this Dharani once to get them all tied down. If the practitioner recites the Dharani correctly, starting with having compassion for all beings, I will command all Deities, Dragons’ king, Diamond God and Ucchusma to follow and support him. They will always stay behind him to protect his life as well as the pupils of his eyes.
Then the Bodhisattva gave her command:
I command Vajarani,
Uchussma and his Angusa (hooked weapon)
The Division of Hercules in the heaven of Sankara
Mahesvara-Narayana
Kumbhira kapilato
Sampra, Sumayadeva
Dhrtarastra,
The Goddess and the Mallas people
King Virudhaka, King Vaisravana
Golden Peacock King
Twenty-eight divisions of superior Immortals
Manibhadra, General Samjneya and Phuspahara
Nanda, Upananda dragons
Naga Badala and Elapattra
Asura, Gandharva
Garudas, Kinnaras, Mahoragas
The Spirits of Water, Fire, Thunder and Lightning
King Kumbhands, Picatcha
To contantly support the practitioner.
“These helpful Genies, the Dragon King genie and the Mother Goddess all have five hundred strong Yaksas as their relatives to stand beside and support the Dharani practitioner. If one is alone in isolated mountains or deserted field, the helpful Genies will take turn to guard and prevent disasters when one is eating or sleeping. Should one get lost in the mountains, helpful Deities and Dragons Kings will transform themselves into a good person to guide him. If one lacks water and fire while in the mountain, forest or desert the Dragon Genies will use their magic to produce water and fire.” Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said those verses on the practitioner’s behalf.
Should one walk in deserted mountains
Populated with tigers, wolves, ferocious beasts,
Snakes, centipedes, goblins, and Demons
Recite this heart mantra to avoid all harms.
As one crosses the sea, lake or river
And recite the Dharani
Dragons, poisonous snakes, wicked ghosts
Yakchas, rakchasas, giant fish and turtles
All of them will go away
When surrounded by enemies
Or being robbed by criminals
Sincerely recite this compassion Dharani
All of them will ask for mercy
When arrested by the king, general or soldier
Or tied down or cuffed in jail
Sincerely recite the compassion Dharani
All of them will grant amnesty.
When coming to a house that raise poisonous worms
Or having eaten poisoned food
Sincerely recite the compassion Dharani
Poison will change to holy water.
For the women with difficulty giving birth
caused by ghosts and evil spirits
Sincerely recite the compassion Dharani
All ghosts will fearfully run away, and delivery will be safe
If Dragons and Demons poison the air
And one is dying from heat and pain
Sincerely recite the compassion Dharani
The epidemic will end. His life will be long
If Dragons and Demons spread diseases
Puffiness, boils, pustules make one miserable
Sincerely recite the compassion Dharani
Toxic gas will vanish as one spits out three times.
When a person from the dirty realm becomes vengeful
and casts spells to satisfy their resentment
Sincerely recite the compassion Dharani
They will get the effect of their own spells.
In this Dharma ending stage, the people from the low realm
Having the fire of lust and a crazy heart
Commit adultery; abandon their wife and children
And possessed by obscene thoughts,
If they sincerely recite the compassion Dharani
The fire of lust will die out; the obscene mind vanishes.
The power of this Dharani is briefly described as such.
Everything cannot be said in just one lifetime.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said to Brahma:
Brahma! To get rid of disasters caused by ghosts, spin a five-color thread and make it into a string. Recite the Dharani of Great Compassion five times first, then twenty one times, tying a knot on the string. Wear it on the neck or put in a purse and carry it with you. Untold numbers of Buddhas in the past have given the compassion Dharani to help religious people who do not have enough merits from the six virtues to have enough, i.e. people whose seed for enlightenment has not yet developed, people who are aspiring to be certified to the rank of Sound Hearer, or the Deities and Immortals in the great heaven who are waiting to become awakened to the enlightened state of superior realization. If a person does not have faith in the Great Vehicle School, this powerful Dharani will give rise to the seed of faith and make it grow. Also all his wishes will be fulfilled through the power of my compassion.
Anything the practitioner of the Dharani says, good words or bad words will be heard as the pure Dharma Doctrine to all the celestial ghosts and Deities, the infidels, Dragons, Demons, and Genies. They will respect him as a Buddha. One must know that a person who recites this Dharani is considered having the Dharma body because ninety-nine trillion Buddhas treasure him. He is known as the store of brightness because the light of all Buddhas shines on him. He is himself the store of compassion because he uses Dharani to help beings. He is the store of wonderful Dharmas because he collects all the Dharanis. He is the store of meditation because hundreds of thousands of samadhis are present in him. He is the store of emptiness because he uses the wisdom of emptiness to watch over living beings. He is the store of bravery because Deities, Dragons, and Genies always support him. He is the store of wonderful words because his mouth always speaks the Dharani. He is the store of permanence because bad karma and the three disasters cannot damage him. He is the store of liberation because ghosts and the infidels cannot oppress his mind. He is the store of the medicinal King because he uses the Dharani to cure the sicknesses of beings. He is the store of supernatural power because he can leisurely walk through the ten directions of the Buddha realm. His merits are to be praised endlessly!
O good person! Serious offenses, which result in countless cycles of birth and death, will be eliminated once one hears the name of the Dharani. So much more can be done for the one who recites it. If anyone recites this Dharani, it means that he has already performed offerings to numerous Buddhas and cultivated many good roots in his past lives. If he recites the Dharani correctly and also helps others end their sufferings, one must know that he has enough compassion and he will become Buddha. Therefore, the practitioner should recite this Dharani for all the creatures that he sees so that they too can develop the seed of awakening. For this the practitioner will receive countless merits. If the practitioner is able to observe the precepts with a pure and sincere heart, and if he constantly recites the Dharani to repent his own sins in the present and in the past as well as the sins of others, he will attain the four fruitions of monkhood in his lifetime. If the practitioner has good roots and possesses the spiritual eye he can easily attain the tenth position, let alone small blessings of this world. For such blessings he only has to wish for them.
Buddha called Ananda over and said to him: Ananda! When the country has disasters, the king of this country must rule with right principle and forgiveness so that his people do not suffer injustice. He must release the prisoners. He must recite the Dharani with a pure mind and body. In seven days and nights, all disasters will be eliminated. Moreover there will be an abundance of the five kinds of grains and the people will be safe and joyful.
When disasters unrelentingly follow one another, such as invasion from the enemy, disorders among the people, treason from within the king's entourage, spreading plague, wrong weather, erroneous orbiting of the sun and moon, and so forth, the king must set up an altar, build a statue of the hundred eyes Avalokitesvara and face it to the West: He must have incense, flowers, banner, parasols, and hundred kinds of food and he must have a pure mind and body and recite the mantra for seven days. Then the enemy state will surrender, the political situation will be secured, the neighboring country will be harmonious, the princes and officers in the court will be loyal, the royal consorts and lady servants will respect the king, celestial Dragons and Genies will support the country by granting favorable weather and fruit. Crops will be lushly green and the people will rejoice.
Troubles can be caused by ghosts and goblins, such as having a home that is haunted, having sick family members, losing money or property, or having bad people circulate gossips and wrong accusations. When these troubles occur the head of the family must build an altar, and facing the thousand-eyed statue, heartily recite the name of Avalokitesvara and this Dharani one thousand times. This will end all the above problems and the family will forever enjoy peace.
Ananda said to Buddha: World Honored One! What is the name of this Dharani? How do I receive and recite it?
Buddha said: This Dharani has the following names:
Great Satisfaction Dharani
Fearless Compassion Dharani
Rescue From Sorrow and Distress Dharani
Prolonging Life Dharani
Extermination of Wild Beast Dharani
Breaking the Retribution of Bad Karma Dharani
Satisfaction Dharani
Freedom at Will Dharani
Fast Liberation to the Holy Land Dharani
You must practice this Dharani as instructed.
Ananda said to Buddha: World Honored One! What is the title of the Maha Bodhisattva, the owner of this Dharani who speaks so well about this subject?
Buddha said: This Bodhisattva is named Avalokitesvara or Heavenly Light Eyes. O Good person! The majestic force of the supernatural power of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is indisputable. He had become a Buddha since countless past lifecycles. His title was Right Wisdom Dharma. He descended to earth as a Bodhisattva because of his Great Compassion Vow and because he wants to become the first cause for Bodhisattvas of all ranks to be awakened and for all beings to be safe and joyful. Therefore you and the people, the Maha Bodhisattva, Brahma Indra, and Dragon Genies should be respectful toward Avalokitesvara. If the heavenly people and the human beings often call on Avalokistevara and make offerings they will get countless blessings, and countless sins will be erased. When they die, they will be reborn in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha.
Buddha said to Ananda: This Dharani spoken by Avalokistevara is genuine. To invoke the Bodhisattva, recite the Dharani twenty one times and burn Benjamin scent. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva will appear at once. Buddha further said to Ananda: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has a thousand hands. Each hand represents an action in accordance with a wish from living beings. This is also a supernatural transformation from this noble man for the sake of compassion.
Next: the magic hands of Kwan Yin Boddhisattva
