Mala – Using

Choosing and Using Your Mala

Article by Polly Turner
(originally published on Snow Lion Website)

Recite one mantra;
move your thumb and forefinger
along the next bead
of the strand; then repeat.

The Tibetan Buddhist mala, or beaded rosary, aids the practitioner in counting mantra recitations while also helping one to focus concentration and awareness. As one works the mala’s beads with one’s fingers, recites the mantra and visualizes the deity, one is at once involving the body, speech and mind.

The basic instructions for using a mala are quite simple. As with nearly any other form of ritual in Tibetan Buddhism and Bön, however, many specifics may vary from tradition to tradition, even within a given school of Buddhism. Always consult with a knowledgeable person in your tradition about matters of ritual.

Some Mala Basics

The mala is held with gentleness and respect, generally in the left hand. One bead is counted for each recitation of the mantra, beginning with the first bead after the “guru” bead- the larger, more decorative bead at the mala’s end. The first bead is held between the index finger and thumb, and with each count the thumb pulls another bead in place over the index finger.

After completing a full circuit of the mala, the practitioner flips the mala around 180 degrees (this takes practice to accomplish) and continues as before, in reverse order. One aims to avoid passing over the “guru” bead, as doing so is symbolically like stepping over one’s teacher.

According to the Office of Tibet, the official agency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in London, the guru bead signifies the wisdom that cognizes emptiness. Surmounting it is another, cylindrical bead that symbolizes emptiness itself; together, these two beads symbolize having vanquished all opponents.

To aid in mantra counting, on many Tibetan malas there are divider beads of a different color, spaced equally along the mala’s length. One also may attach a pair of counter strings to the mala as an additional counting aid- each string of the pair is a double-plaited cord threaded with 10 small ring beads, generally made of silver, gold or bronze, which are used to count the tens and hundreds of completed mala cycles.

A third counter also may be attached to the mala to keep track of the thousands of cycles completed. Often featuring the symbol of a wheel or jewel, this counter is attached to the thread between two beads, and then repositioned from bead to bead.

Choosing a Mala

A mala of 108 beads is used for general purposes by most practicing Tibetan Buddhists. Beads of bodhi seed generally are considered auspicious for any practice or mantra, and red sandalwood or lotus seeds also are widely recommended for universal use.

A variation of the standard 108-bead mala is the wrist mala of 27 beads- four circuits total 108 mantra repetitions. This number 108 is abundant in significance, according to Robert Beer:

“The sacred number of 108 predates Buddhism, being the classical number of the Hindu names assigned to a deity or god. As a multiple of 12 and 9, it represents the nine planets in the 12 zodiac houses. As a multiple of 27 and 4, it also represents the four quarters of the moon in each of the 27 lunar mansions or constellations. Nine is also a ‘magic’ number. A number multiplied by 9 results in a number the sum of whose digits is also a multiple of 9. In Pranayana Yoga it is calculated that a human being takes 21,600 breaths in a 24-hour cycle consisting of 60 periods of 360 breaths; a 12-hour ‘day’ cycle therefore equals 10,800 breaths. The 108 beads also ensure that at least a hundred mantra recitations have been completed in a full rosary turning.”

Besides the multi-purpose malas described above, there are other types of malas that are deemed auspicious for various purposes.

Mantras can be recited for four different purposes: to appease, to increase, to overcome, or to tame by forceful means, according to the Office of Tibet in London, which offers these additional guidelines for choosing the right malas for the purpose:

The beads used to count mantras intended to appease should be of crystal, pearl or mother of pearl, and should at least be clear or white in color. A rosary for this purpose should have 100 such beads. Mantras counted on these beads serve to clear away obstacles, such as illness and other calamities, and purify one of unwholesomeness.

The beads used with mantras intended to increase should be of gold, silver, copper or lotus seeds, and a rosary is made of 108 of them. The mantras counted on these serve to increase life span, knowledge and merit.

The beads used with mantras which are intended to overcome are made from a compound of ground sandal wood, saffron and other fragrant substances. There are 25 beads on this rosary. The mantras counted on them are meant to tame others, but the motivation for doing so should be a pure wish to help other sentient beings and not to benefit oneself.

The beads used to recite mantras aiming at subduing beings through forceful means should be made from raksha seeds or human bones in a string of 60. Again, as the purpose should be absolutely altruistic, the only person capable of performing such a feat is a Bodhisattva motivated by great compassion for a being who can be tamed through no other means, for example extremely malicious spirits, or general afflictions, visualized as a dense black ball.

Beads made of Bodhi seed or wood can be used for many purposes, for counting all kinds of mantras, as well as other prayers, prostrations, circumambulations and so forth.

Different Tibetan spiritual traditions may offer variations on the above guidelines. For example, in the Bön tradition, a Bodhi seed mala is recommended for all four activities; and for pacifying activity, a mala with 100 beads of crystal, conch or lapis lazuli is recommended. For increasing activity, a mala of 108 beads of gold or silver is recommended; for power activity, a mala of 50 beads of coral, copper or red sandalwood is recommended; and for wrathful activity, a mala of 10 rudraksha seeds is recommended.

(Rudraksha seeds are the dried berries of the rudraksha tree, which grows in Indonesia, Nepal and India; they are round and pitted, with granular protuberances, and are sized between a quarter of an inch to more than an inch in diameter.)

It is often advised that malas of bone- whether human or animal bone- should only be used by accomplished yogins, since ritual objects crafted of bone are believed to harbor karmic influences.

Some Words About Mantra

Who is saying the mantra, how it is said, one’s intent while saying it- all these are important considerations. In some cases, one also may need to consider who is within hearing distance as one recites. Bardor Tulku Rinpoche notes that in his Kagyu tradition, it is acceptable in any circumstances to recite a mantra out loud, even when others who are unlikely to understand or respect the sacredness of the mantra can hear it. However, a number of other traditions specify that certain powerful mantras must be kept entirely private.

Some practices require a practitioner to recite a certain mantra as many as 100,000, or even a million, times. Because just one mantra recitation condenses the essence of vast spiritual teachings into a few concise syllables, it’s easy to conjecture about the power of repeating a mantra so many times over. Those who faithfully do the recitations, who keep the samadhi in their mind while reciting, and who rely on the blessings, empowerments and instructions of a qualified master, have an opportunity to experience the power of and blessings of mantra firsthand.

What not to Do with a Mala

Wearing a mala without knowing its significance is similar to when a woman adorns herself with a necklace, according to the Tibetan Bön sutra. The sutra specifies that one should hold the mala above the waist when praying, and that one should avoid:

• • stepping on a mala
  • passing one’s mala to others while one is engaged in recitation
  • mixing different types of beads together in one mala
  • decorating one’s mala to make it look more beautiful
  • using a mala that might have been used by impious person
  • using a mala that is not consecrated
  • hanging one’s mala from one’s belt
  • placing one’s mala under contaminated things
  • throwing one’s mala in a playful way
  • carrying one’s mala while going to the toilet.

From information compiled by His Holiness Lungtok Tenpai Nyima, spiritual head of the Tibetan Bön Buddhist tradition.

POLLY TURNER is a freelance writer in Charlottesville, Va., and former editor of Sangha Journal. She can be reached at: <!– var prefix = ‘ma’ + ‘il’ + ‘to’; var path = ‘hr’ + ‘ef’ + ‘=’; var addy25583 = ‘pturner2′ + ‘@’; addy25583 = addy25583 + ‘aol’ + ‘.’ + ‘com’; document.write( ‘‘ ); document.write( addy25583 ); document.write( ” ); //–>\n pturner2@aol.com <!– document.write( ‘‘ ); //–> This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it <!– document.write( ” ); //–> .

Literature:

1. The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs, by Robert Beer, Boston: Shambhala, 1999.
2. Article What Not to Do With a Mala from www.tibet.com, the Website of the Office of Tibet, the official agency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in London.
3. Bön specifications are per His Holiness Lungtok Tenpai Nyima, spiritual head of the Tibetan Bön tradition; courtesy of Sherab Palden and Judy Marz.

Forty Eight Vows of Amitabha Buddha

Forty Eight Vows of Amitabha Buddha

These are the 48 Great vows that Dharmakara made before he ascended to Buddhahood: <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 1.”Provided I become a Buddha, if in my Buddha-land there should be either hell, or the animal state of existence, or the realm of hungry ghosts, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 2.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings born in my Buddha-land should retrogress into the three evil realms, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 3.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings born in my Buddha-land are not all of the color of genuine gold, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 4.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings who are born in my land are not all of identical appearance, without any distinction of noble looks or ugliness, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 5.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings born in my land are not possessed of the supernormal ability to remember their previous lives, and the ability to know the events of of a hundred thousand nayuta years of kalpas in the past, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 6.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings who are born in my land do not possess of the divine-eye, which can see a hundred thousand nayuta of Buddha-lands, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 7.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings of my land do not possess the divine-ear, which can hear the Teachings of a hundred thousand kotis of nayuta of Buddhas, or do not faithfully observe those Teachings, then may I not attain enlightenment <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 8.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings of my land do not all possess the intuitive-mind, which knows the thoughts of all beings of a hundred thousand kotis of nayuta of Buddha-lands, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 9.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings of my land do not all possess the heavenly -step, which can of one thought travel over a hundred thousand kotis of nayuta of Buddha-countries in the shortest fraction of a moment, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 10.”Provided I become a Buddha, if there should arise in the minds of any beings in my land the idea of selfishness and covetous thoughts, even with regard to their own bodies, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 11.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the beings of my land do not all firmly abide in a concentrated state of meditation and equanimity (samadhi) until they have reached nirvana, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 12.”Provided I become a Buddha, if my light is limited in such a way that it cannot illuminate a hundred thousand nayuta of kotis of Buddha-lands, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 13.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the length of my life is limited, even to a hundred thousand nayuta of kotis of kalpas, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 14.”Provided I become a Buddha, if any being is able to count the number of innumerable pupils in my land — even if it takes a hundred thousand nayuta of kotis of kalpas for all the beings of three million worlds and the whole triple universe, after becoming Pratyeka-Buddhas, to count that number — then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 15.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the lives of the beings in my land are not eternal, except by their own free will whenever they choose to pass away from life, then may I not attain the enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 16.”Provided I become a Buddha, there will be no evil or sinful existence in my land; even its very name will be unknown. Otherwise, may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 17.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the innumerable Buddhas of the worlds of ten quarters do not glorify my name, then may I not attain the enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 18.”Provided I become a Buddha, if any sentient being in the ten quarters who hears my name and is thus awakened to the highest faith and aspires toward rebirth in my land, recollects that thought for as few as ten times, that being will be reborn there, with the exception of those who have committed the five grave offenses, or who have blasphemed the Dharma. Otherwise, may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 19.”Provided I become a Buddha, then at the moment of death of any sentient being in the ten quarters who has directed his thoughts towards the Bodhi and has cultivated his stock of various merits with a fervent desire for rebirth in my land, if I do not appear with an assembly of retinue before him, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 20.”Provided I become a Buddha, if any sentient being of ten quarters hears my name and then constantly longs for my land and cultivates various essential merits for the purpose of realizing his earnest wish to be born in my country, and then fails to attain that wish, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 21.”Provided I become a Buddha, if any sentient being in the ten quarters is not endowed with a glorious body perfected with the thirty-two attributes (laksanani) of a great being, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 22.”Provided I become a Buddha, the Bodhisattvas whose activities have surpassed the stage of ordinary beings, who practice the universal virtue of Universal Worthy Boddhisatva, and who come to be born in my land will be subject to that one birth only, and then will become Buddha-elect (ekajatipratibuddhas), with the exception of those who, by their own free will, wish to remain in the stage of Bodhisattvahood to serve the Buddhas of ten quarters for the sake of delivering various beings. Then they will wear the armor of their vows and will travel to all worlds, performing their Bodhisattva’s duties and accumulating their stock of merit, converting the various beings whose numbers are as great as the grains of sand of the River Ganges to the highest perfect knowledge. Otherwise may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 23.”Provided I become a Buddha, if those Bodhisattvas in my land, through the Grace of the Buddha, are not able to serve all the Buddhas throughout the countless nayuta of Buddha-worlds within a less than a moment, then may I not attain the enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 24.”Provided I become a Buddha, if any Bodhisattva in my land wishes to use his stock of merit to produce any object to be used before the Buddhas, and if such an object does not appear before him to his satisfaction, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 25.”Provided I become a Buddha, if Bodhisattvas in my land are not able to preach the law of wisdom to completion, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 26.”Provided I become a Buddha, if any Bodhisattva in my land does not possess a golden body as strong as the diamond of Narayana, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 27.”Provided I become a Buddha, the heavenly beings and the various properties produced in my land shall all be of supreme beauty and shall abound in boundless quantity, and in an infinity of various forms. If any being therein, even one who even possesses the divine-eye, is able to perceive all the appellations and quantity of such beauties, then may I not attain the enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 28.”Provided I become a Buddha, if any Bodhisattva of my land who possesses even the slightest stock of merit does not perceive the boundless shining beauty of the Bodhi-trees of my sanctuary, their height being at least four million miles, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 29.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the Bodhisattvas of my land do not all possess the wisdom of eloquent oration after having read, recited, and observed the Dharma of the Sutras, then may I not attain the enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 30.”Provided I become a Buddha, if the Bodhisattvas of my land are limited in the wisdom of their oration, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 31.”When I have obtained the Buddhahood, if my land is not so reflective and raidant that it reflects the miniatures of the innumerable, inconceivable and boundless Buddha-worlds in all the ten quarters as clearly as one’s face is seen in a bright mirror, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 32.”After I have obtained Buddhahood, there shall be in my land magnificent palaces towering up from the ground to the void, also lakes, winding streams, blossoming trees, and myriad other properties which are compounded of various jewels and thousands of kinds of perfumes, minutely embellished in the most wondrous state, surpassing all heavenly and human worlds. And the scent of perfumes shall thoroughly pervade the worlds of ten quarters in such a way that when Bodhisattvas smell them, their minds are directed to Bodhi. Otherwise, may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 33.”When I obtain the Buddhahood, if the body of any sentient being in the boundless and inconceivable Buddha-worlds in any of the ten quarters is touched by the rays of my splendor, and if that being’s body and mind do not then become gentle and peaceful, in a state that is far more sublime than those of the gods and men, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 34.”When I obtain Buddhahood, if the beings of boundless and inconceivable Buddha-worlds do not attain the “Endurance of Nirvanic Life” (ajatah sarvadharmah) of Bodhisattva, and the deep knowledge of “Adharanamudro” (or dharani) afterhearing my name, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 35.”When I obtain Buddhahood, women in boundless and inconceivable Buddha-worlds across the ten quarters will hear my name and will thereby been awakened in faith and joyful aspiration. Turning their minds towards Bodhi, they will dislike their own female lives, and then, when they are born again, in their next life they will be reborn in male bodies. Otherwise may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 36.When I obtain Buddhahood, the Bodhisattvas of boundless and inconceivable Buddha-worlds across the ten quarters, having heard my name, after their death [in their next life] will still continue their Bodhisattva-duty until they have obtained Buddhahood. Otherwise, may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 37.When I obtain Buddhahood, the heavenly beings of the boundless and inconceivable Buddha-worlds across the ten quarters, having heard my name, will worship me with prostrate reverence, and will joyfully and faithfully perform their Bodhisattva-duty, and will be honored by gods and men. Otherwise, may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 38.When I obtain the Buddhahood, the heavenly beings of my land, should they desire a garment, will be able to perceive themselves, as quick as thought, covered by apparitionally produced costumes, excellent to their satisfaction, worthy to be praised by the Buddha, without the work of sewing, washing, dying, and so on. Otherwise, may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 39.”When I attain the Buddhahood, if the heavenly beings of my land do not enjoy happiness as great as that of the holy bhikkhus, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 40.”When I attain Buddhahood, if the Bodhisattvas of my land wish to see the boundless, holy, pure Buddha-worlds of the ten quarters, they will at once behold them from the jewel-trees as though their faces were being reflected in a highly burnished, brilliant mirror. Otherwise, may I not attain the enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 41.”When I attain the Buddhahood, if the Bodhisattvas of other worlds, after having heard my name, suffer from any diminution in the functional powers and are not endowed with all sense-organs in completion before reaching the Buddhahood, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 42.”When I obtain the Buddhahood, if the Bodhisattvas in other Buddha-lands whohear my name do not all attain, in one moment of thought, the pure samadhi of emancipation from which they could serve innumerable and inconceivable number of Buddhas [Tathagatas], or if their of their samadhi should come to an end meanwhile, then may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 43.”After I have obtained the Buddhahood, if any Bodhisattva of another land hears my name, that Bodhisattva will, after death, be reborn as a member of a noble family if he or she so desires. Otherwise, may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 44.”When I obtain the Buddhahood, the Bodhisattvas of other lands, having heard my name, will all obtain a combination of full virtues and will joyfully perform their Bodhisattva-duty. Otherwise, may I not attain enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 45.”When I have obtain Buddhahood, all Bodhisattvas of other lands who hear my name will obtain the samantanugata (the thoroughly and equal samadhi in a fixed state of meditation). Through that samadhi, they will see innumerable and inconceivable Buddhas constantly until they have obtained the Buddhahood. Otherwise may I forbear from obtaining enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 46.”When I obtain Buddhahood, the Bodhisattvas of my land shall be able to hear the Teaching of the Dharma whenever they desire. (The voices of teaching will present themselves naturally to their ears). Otherwise may I refrain from attaining enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 47.”When I obtain Buddhahood, if Bodhisattvas of other lands, after having heard my name, do not immediately reach the state of never turning back from Bodhi, then I will refrain from attaining enlightenment. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–> 48.”When I have obtained Buddhahood, if Bodhisattvas of other lands who hear my name, do not reach the first, second, and third degrees of Dharma-endurance immediately, or if they turn back from the Buddha Dharma, then I will refrain from attaining enlightenment. Namo Amitabha

Great Compassion Dharani Sutra

Great Compassion Dharani Sutra

(Also known as:)
Maha Karuna Dharani Sutra
Maha Karunikacitta Dharani Sutra
Nilakantha Dharani Sutra

(The full title is:)
Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Vast, Perfect, Unimpeded, Great-Compassionate Heart Dharani Sutra

(Qian Shou Qian Yan Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa Guang Da Yuan Man Wu Ai Da Bei Xin Tuo Luo Ni Jing)

(Tripitaka No. 1060)

(* Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is also known as: Contemplator of the World’s Sounds/Guan Shi Yin/Guan Zi Zai Bodhisattva)

Translated during the Tang Dynasty by Shramana Bhagavat-dharma from west India.

---

  Thus I have heard, once the Buddha was in the honorable sublime Way-place of Avalokitesvara’s palace in Potalaka Mountain, sitting on a noblest lion’s throne decorated with various Mani-jewels. Hundreds of jeweled streamers were hanging all around.

At that time, The Tathagata intending to explain a teaching of the Total-Retention Dharani, was sitiing on the throne, along with innumerable Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas whose names are: Dharani King Bodhisattva, Precious King Bodhisattva, Bhaisajya-Raja(Medicine King) Bodhisattva, Bhaisajya-Samudgata(Superior Medicine) Bodhisattva, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Mahastamaprapta(Great Strength) Bodhisattva, Avatamsaka Bodhisattva, Great Sublime Bodhisattva, Precious Deposits Bodhisattva, Virtue Store Bodhisattva, Vajragarbha Bodhisattva, Akasagarbha(Space Store) Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra(Universal Goodness) Bodhisattva, Manjusri Bodhisattva, and so on. Such Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas are all Abhiseka(Empowerment) great dharma-princes; also along with innumerable great Sravakas(voice-hearer), all of whom practise the ten-stages of Arhat, headed by Maha-Kasyapa; also along with innumerable Devas of Brahma-Heaven, headed by Sinza-Brahma; also along with innumerable Gods of heavens of the desire realm, headed by Kubhagha-God; also along with innumerable four-guardian-gods, headed by Dhritarastra; also along with innumerable gods, dragons, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Asuras, Garudas, Kinnaras, Mahoragas, human beings, Amanusyas, headed by the Heaven-virtue great dragon king; also along with innumerable Devakanyas of heavens of the desire realm, headed by the Virgin-Eyed Devakanya; also along with innumerable Sunyatas(Gods of spaces), gods of rivers and oceans, gods of fountains and spring, gods of natural pond, gods of herb, gods of forest, gods of houses, gods of water, gods of fire, gods of earth, gods of wind, gods of ground, gods of mountains, gods of rocks, gods of palaces, and so on, came together to join the congregation.

  At that time in the congregation, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva secretly emitted his sacrosanct light, illuminated the realms of the ten directions and made one billion worlds’ color turned to golden. Palaces of heavens, palaces of dragons and palaces of all gods were all shaken. Rivers, oceans, Cakravada-parvata Mountains, Sumeru Mountains, Earth Mountains, black mountains were also shaken. The light of sun, moon, pearls, fire, and stars all disappeared.

  Witnessing this rare scene, Dharani King Bodhisattva was more surprised than ever before, so he arose from his seat, joined his palms and asked the Buddha with a Gatha(verse):

“Who achieved the correct-awakening today,
emitting the great bright light universally?
Colors of realms of the ten directions have all become golden,
so do one billion worlds?

Who attained the ultimate freedom today,
manifesting the rare great holy power,
innumerable pure lands of Buddhas are shaken,
so do palaces of dragons and gods?

Now the congregation are all wondering,
don’t know that it’s caused by the power of whom.
Is he a Buddha, Bodhisattva, or great Sravaka,
or Brahman, or gods of heavens?

Bhagavan(World-honored One), by your great compassion,
please tell us the cause of that great supernatural power.”

  The Buddha told Dharani King Bodhisattva: “Good man, you should know that in this congregation there is a Bodhisattva whose name is Avalokitesvara. He has achieved great kindness and great compassion since uncountable Kalpas before, and excels at practicing uncountable Dharma-gates of Dharani. In order to comfort and please all living-beings, he secretly emits that sacrosanct power.

  After the Buddha said that, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva arose from his seat, tidied up his clothes, joined his palms towards the Buddha and said:
“Bhagavan, I have a mantra of Great-Compassionate Heart Dharani and now wish to proclaim it, for comforting and pleasing all living-beings; for healing all illness; for living-beings to attain additional lifespan; for living-beings to gain wealth; for extinguishing all evil-karma and weighty sins; for keeping away from hindrance and disasters; for producing merits of all undefiled-Dharmas; for maturing all virtuous-roots; for overcoming all fears; for fulfilling all good wishes. Bhagavan, please allow me to speak.”

  The Buddha said: “Good man, you have great kindness and great compassion, in order to comfort and please all living-beings, you wish to speak the mantra, it’s the proper time now, please speak it soon, the Tathagata compliantly rejoice, and so do all Buddhas.”

  Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva then said to the Buddha: “Bhagavan, I remember that incalculable billions Kalpas ago, there was a Buddha whose name is Thousand-rayed-King Motionless Tathagata. Because of his mercy and mindfulness to me and all living-beings, he spoke this Vast-Perfect-Unimpeded Great-Compassionate-Heart Dharani, rubbed my crown with his golden hand and said: “Good man, you should hold this heart-mantra to give great benefit and happiness to all living beings in the future.” At that time I was just at the first of the ten Bhumis(stages of Bodhisattva), right after hearing this mantra, I exceeded the eighth Bhumi. Becoming happy, I vowed: “If I will be able to give benefit and happiness to all living beings in the future, let me have a thousand hands and a thousand eyes immediately.” Instantly after the vow, I got fully a thousand hands and a thousand eyes on my body, six types of quakes occurred on the grounds of the ten directions, thousands Buddhas of the ten directions emitted their light to my body and illuminated unlimited worlds of the ten directions. From then on, in uncountable Buddha realms and congregations, I repeatedly heard, accepted and held this Dharani, and I was repeatedly pleased and joyful, thus I exceeded imperceptible births and deaths of countless billions kalpas. Since then, I have always recited, held and have never forgotten this mantra. Because of holding this mantra, I was always born naturally from lotuses in front of Buddhas, and have never be born from wombs.”

  ”If there are monks(Bhikshus), nuns(Bhikshunis), laymen(Upasakas), laywomen(Upasikas), pure youth and maidens who wish to recite and hold(keep reciting) this mantra, they should first develop their compassionate heart for all living beings, and follow me in making these vows:

(* The pronunciation of “Namo” is [na:mo:] of international phonetic symbols)

Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will quickly know all Dharmas;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will soon obtain the wisdom-eyes;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will quickly ferry all living beings to the shore of liberation;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will soon obtain good expedient-means;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will quickly board the boat of Prajna;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will soon cross over the sea of suffering;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will quickly achieve precepts, Samadhi and the way;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will soon climb the mountain of Nirvana;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will quickly dwell in the house of the uncreated;
Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, I vow that I will soon unite with the Dharma-nature body.

If I go towards the mountain of knives, the mountain of knives by itself breaks up;
If I go towards the boiling oil, the boiling oil by itself dries up;
If I go towards the hells, the hells by themselves disappear;
If I go towards the hungry ghosts, the hungry ghosts by themselves become full.
If I go towards the Asuras, their evil thoughts by themselves are tamed.
If I go towards the animals, they by themselves attain great wisdom.”

  ”After these vows, chant my name(Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) sincerely, also chant the name of my teacher — Amitabha Tathagata(Namo Amitabha) sincerely, then chant this mantra, 5 times or more in a day, to extinguish weighty sins of births-and-deaths of billions Kalpas of the body.”

  Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva then said to the Buddha: “Bhagavan, if humans or God(Deva)s recite and hold the phrases of the Great Compassion Dharani, upon their death, all the Buddhas of the ten directions will come to receive them with their hands, and they will be reborn in whichever Buddha-land according to their wishes.”

  Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva continued to say to the Buddha:
  ”Bhagavan, Should any living being who recites and holds the holy mantra of Great Compassion fall into the three evil paths, I vow not to achieved the correct-awakening.

  Should any living being who recites and holds the holy mantra of Great Compassion not be reborn in any Buddha-land, I vow not to achieve the correct-awakening.

  Should any living being who recites and holds the holy mantra of Great Compassion not obtain unlimited Samadhis and eloquence, I vow not to achieve the correct-awakening.

Should any living being who recites and holds the holy mantra of Great Compassion not obtain whatever he seeks in his present life, then it cannot be called the Dharani of the Great Compassionate Heart, unless it is used by those who are not virtuous or not sincere.

  If any woman who recites and holds the holy mantra of Great Compassion, dislike the troubles of female body and wishes to become male, but can not become male in the future, I vow not to achieved the correct-awakening. However, those who disbelieve this Mantra will not achieve this effect.

  If anyone had stolen foods or properties of Sanghas(group of monks), penitence to his sins is useless even if a thousand Buddhas appear in the world, but now chant this Great Compassion Holy Mantra, his sins will be extinguished. If one had stolen foods or properties of Sanghas, he must repent to teachers of the ten directions to extinguish his sins. Now when chanting this mantra, teachers of the ten directions will come to bear witness, then all weighty sins and hindrances will disappear.

  All the horrible sins including the Ten evil deeds, the Five heinous sins, vilifications to people, vilifications to Dharma, breaking precepts, destroying towers, wrecking temples, stealing properties of Sanghas, profaning pure(Brahma) practices, can be extinguished by chanting this Mantra, except one thing, the one without belief in this Mantra can not extinguish even small sins and karmas, not to mention weighty sins. Though the weighty sins don’t disappear immediately, that chanting can still be the cause of Bodhi in the future.”

  Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva continue to said the Buddha:
  ”People and gods who recite and hold the Great Compassionate Heart Mantra will obtain fifteen kinds of good birth and will not suffer fifteen kinds of bad death. The bad deaths are:

1. They will not die of starvation or poverty;
2. They will not die from having been yoked, imprisoned, caned or otherwise 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 fierce 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 be killed by mediumistic insects;
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;

  Those who recite and hold the Great Compassion Holy Mantra will not suffer any of these fifteen kinds of bad death and will obtain the following fifteen kinds of good birth:

1. Their place of birth will always have a good king;
2. They will always be born in a good country;
3. They will always be born at a good time;
4. They will always meet good friends;
5. The organs of their body will always be complete;
6. Their heart will be pure and full in the way;
7. They will not violate the prohibitive precepts;
8. Their family will be kind and harmonious;
9. They will always have the necessary wealth and goods in abundance;
10. They will always obtain the respect and help of others;
11. Their riches will not be plundered;
12. They will obtain everything they seek;
13. Dragons, gods, and good spirits will always protect them;
14. In the place where they are born they will see the Buddha and hear the Dharma;
15. They will awaken to the profound meaning of that Proper Dharma which they hear.

  Those who recite and hold the Great Compassionate Heart Dharani will obtain these fifteen kinds of good birth. All gods and people should constantly recite and hold it without laziness.”

  After saying that, the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva joined his palms and stood upright in front of the congregation, with his great compassionate heart open for all living beings, he smiled and in this way spoke the wonderful holy phrases of the Vast, Perfect, Unimpeded, Great-Compassionate-Heart Great Dharani. The Dharani is:

Namo ratna-trayaya
Namo ariya-valokite-svaraya
Bodhi-sattvaya Maha-sattvaya Maha-karunikaya
Om sarva rabhaye sudhanadasya
Namo skrita imo
arya-valotite-svara ramdhava
Namo narakindi heri Maha-vadhi-sa-me
Sarva-arthato-subham ajeyam
Sarva-sat Namo-vasat Namo-vaka mavitato
Tadyatha
Om avaloki-lokate-krate-e-hrih Maha-bodhisattva
Sarva sarva
Mala mala
Mahi Mahi ridayam
Kuru kuru karmam
Dhuru dhuru
vijayate Maha-vijayati
Dhara dhara dhrini
svaraya cala cala
Mama vimala muktele
Ehi ehi sina sina
arsam prasari
visva visvam prasaya
Hulu hulu mara
Hulu hulu hrih
Sara sara siri siri suru suru
Bodhiya Bodhiya Bodhaya Bodhaya
Maitreya narakindi dhrish-nina bhayamana svaha
Siddhaya svaha
Maha siddhaya svaha
Siddha-yoge-svaraya svaha
Narakindi svaha
Maranara svaha
sira simha-mukhaya svaha
Sarva maha-asiddhaya svaha
Cakra-asiddhaya svaha
Padma-kastaya svaha
Narakindi-vagalaya svaha
Mavari-sankharaya svaha
Namo ratna-trayaya
Namo arya-valokite-svaraya svaha
Om Sidhyantu mantra padaya svaha

  When Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva had finished speaking this mantra, the earth shook in six ways. The heavens rained precious flowers of beautiful colors. all the Buddhas of the ten directions were delighted, while the heaven-demons and heretics were so afraid that their hair stood on end. Members of the meeting achieved different fruitions, including the fruitions of stream-enterer, once-returner, non-returner, and Arhat, while others achieved the first Bhumi(stage of Bodhisattva), the second Bhumi, the third, fourth, fifth …… up to the tenth Bhumi. Innumerable living beings arouse their Bodhi-Heart(The resolve to help all living beings to attain upmost enlightenment).

  Then the great Brahma king arose from his seat, tidied up his clothes, joined his palms respectfully, and said to the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva: “Great, Mahasattva! I had been in innumerable Buddha-meetings and heard of many kinds of Dharanis, but never heard of the wonderful holy phrases of this great Dharani of the unimpeded great compassionate heart. Mahasattva, please tell us the feature and figure of this Dharani, all of us will be pleased to know that.”

  Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva told the Brahma king: “For the convenience of benefiting all living beings, you have asked me this question. Now you listen carefully, I’ll tell you in brief.”

  Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said: “The great kind and compassionate heart, the fair heart, the uncreated heart, the unpolluted heart, the heart of emptiness observation, the respectful heart, the humble heart, the uncluttered heart, the heart without attachment to one’s own view, the upmost Bodhi-heart, is the feature of this Dharani. You should practise in such manner.”

  Then the great Brahma king said: “We now know the feature of this Dharani, from now on, we’ll recite and hold it and never forget or give it up.

  Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said: “For all virtuous men and all virtuous women who want to recite and hold this Mantra, they should arouse their vast Bodhi-heart that wish to ferry all living beings to the shore of liberation, and be vegetarians. They should arouse their fair(impartial) heart to all living beings, keep reciting this Mantra, never give up. Reside in a clean room, wash themselves clean, in clean dress, hang streamers and light up lamps, make offerings with fragrance, flowers, vegetable foods of hundreds tastes, concentrate their mind, don’t think about others, recite and hold the mantra in correct manner. Then the Sunshine Bodhisattva, Moonshine Bodhisattva and innumerable gods and fairies will come to be witness and enhance the effect of the Mantra. At that time, I will shine them with a thousand eyes and protect them with a thousand hands, from then on, they will be able to understand all books of the world, and also perfectly understand all sorceries of other religions and all scriptures of Vedas. The one who recites this mantra can heal 84000 categories of diseases of the world, and also can command all ghosts and Devas, vanquish heaven-demons, tame all heretics. For anyone who is reading sutras or practicing Zen(Dhyana) in mountains or fields, if there are any mountain-spirits, ghosts, demons, monsters or Devas come to disturb and make the practitioner unable to concentrate, recite this mantra once, then all those ghosts spirits will be tied up. If one can recite this Mantra in correct manner and have merciful heart to all living beings, I will command all virtuous gods, dragon kings, Vajra secret-traces deities to guard him, the guardians will always be with him and protect him as their own eyes and lives. ” Then Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said the Gatha:

“I command the Vajra secret-traces deities, Ucchu, Kunda, Ankusa, eight clans of celestials and ShangKalas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the Mahesvaras and Narayanas, Kumbhirabas and Kapilas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the Pajis, Sahassakkhas, perfect-virtuous chebuds and Kimnaras,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the Sajamahoras, Kumbhandas, Katabhutanas, and Banjras,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the Bhipagara kings, and morality Vitasaharas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the Brahma king Sambra, five clans of pure-abode heavens and Yamarajas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the Sakra Devanam indra, thirty-three celestials(gods), Sarasvatis and Vardhanas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the Dhritarastra king, Haritis, goddess and great strength Devas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the Virudhaka king, Virupaksa king and Vaisravana king,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the golden peacock-king, and twenty-eight clans of great fairies,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the Manibhadra, and Pancika-imperator Phalava,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command Nanda, Upandanda, and the Sagara dragon-king Ibhra,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the Asuras, Gandharvas, Karunas, Kimnaras, Mahoragas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

I command the gods of water, fire, thunder, lightning, Kumbhanda king and Pisacas,
to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

  ”Those virtuous gods, dragon-kings and goddess, each along with 500 retinues of great-strength Yaksas, will always follow and guard the holders of the Great Compassion Holy Mantra. If the Mantra-holder dwells alone in void mountain or wilderness, those virtuous gods will guard him by turns to eliminate misfortunes. If the Mantra-holder loses his way in remote mountain, because of reciting this Mantra, virtuous gods and dragon-kings will transform to benefactors and tell him the correct way. If the Mantra-holder lacks water or requires fire in mountain, forest, or wilderness, the dragon-king will create water and fire for him.”

  Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva then said a misfortune-eliminating refreshing cool Gatha(verse):

“When walking in wilderness, mountain or marsh,
if encountering tigers, wolves, or other fierce beasts,
or snakes, spirits, demons, monsters, ghosts,
they will be unable to harm the Mantra-holder when they hear this Mantra;

When voyaging on river or sea,
poisoned dragons, flood dragons and Makaras,
Yaksas, Rakshas, fishes, and soft-shelled turtles,
will dodge when they hear this Mantra;

If besieged by battle arrays or robbers,
or being robbed by villains,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
those villains will show mercy and go back;

If one is imprisoned by government official,
jailed, chained and locked,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
the officer will show mercy and set him free;

If entered a house of a poisonous insects raising family in a woody path,
the family purpose to venom with drinks, foods or medicines,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
the poison will turn to nectar;

When a woman is giving birth to a child,
evil demons comes to obstruct the birth and causing suffering and oppressive pain,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
the demons will disperse, leaving a safe and comfortable birth;

If evil dragons or pestilence ghosts spread poison,
people are infected by pyrexia and about to die,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
diseases will be healed and lives of people will be lengthen;

If evil dragons or ghosts spread the tumescent diseases,
people suffer from carbunculosis, sore, abscess, ulcer and bleeding,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
then spit three times to the abscesses and it will be cured.

If there are muddled and wicked living beings who aroused immoral minds,
causing hatred by sending nightmares, ghosts and curses to you,
recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
these evil spirited spells will retreat back to its original perpetrator.

When Dharma is about to disappear,
the world is evil, feculent and disordered,
people are concupiscent and swear black is white,
having adulteries with others behind their spouses,
and think of lust days and nights.
If they can recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,
the fire of eroticism will quench and the evil minds will go out.

If I glorify the effect of this Mantra in detail,
even one Kalpa is not enough for the glorification.”

  Then Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva told the Brahmas: “Recite this Mantra 5 times, use threads of 5 colors to tie knots, then recite 21 times, tie 21 knots, wear it on neck. This Mantra has been spoken by previous 9.9 billions Ganges-river-sands Buddhas.

  Those Buddhas spoke this Mantra for practitioners who practise the Six-Perfections but not yet achieve the consummation, to make them succeed quickly;

  For those who have not yet aroused Bodhi-Heart, to make them arouse Bodhi-Heart quickly;

  For Sravakas who have not yet achieved fruitions, to make them achieve fruitions quickly;

  For all one billion worlds’ gods and celestial being who have not yet aroused the upmost Bodhi-Heart, to make them arouse upmost Bodhi-Heart quickly;

  For all living beings who have not yet gained the root of faith in Mahayana, with the mighty holy power of this Mantra, their seeds of Mahayana and Dharma-buds will grow quickly; with my expedient and merciful power, All of their needs will be supplied.

  For three-evil-paths’ living beings who living in gloomy regions of the one billion worlds, when they heard this Mantra, they will get away from suffering;

  For Bodhisattvas who have not yet achieved the first Bhumi, to make them achieve quickly; even make them achieve up to the tenth Bhumi, even up to the Buddhahood, with the thirty-two marks and the eighty minor marks achieved naturally.

  If any Sravakas once heard of this Mantra, practise and write this Mantra, settle down with straightforward heart in correct manner, then they will achieve the four Sramana-fruits even if they had not seek for the fruitions.

  Suppose all the mountains, rivers, cliffs, oceans of the one billion worlds can be boiled; the Sumeru mountains and Cakravada-parvata mountains can be shaken, and grinded to dust, for all living beings of that number to arouse upmost Bodhi-Hearts.

  If anyone prays for any wish in his present life, he should become vegetarian and keep complying with pure precepts in 21 days, and recite this Dharani, then his wishes will certainly be fulfilled. From the verge of the previous birth-and-death to the verge of the next birth-and-death, all evil karmas will be cleaned up. All the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Brahmas, Lord of the Heavens(Sakra Devanam-Indra), four guardian gods, fairies, dragon-kings, will bear witness.”

  ”For any celestial or human being who recites and holds this Dharani, if he bath in rivers or seas, the nearby living-beings wet by his bath-water will have all their weighty sins cleaned and be reborn naturally from lotus in pure-lands other than this world, and will not be born from wombs, moistures, or eggs. How much more so those who recite and hold the Mantra themselves! If the Mantra-holder is walking, a wind blow his hair and clothes, then the living-beings blown by the wind that previously touched the Mantra-holder will have all their heavy obstructions and evil karmas cleansed, will not continue to suffer from karmas of three-evil-paths, and often be born in front of Buddhas. The felicities and meritorious-virtues that are accomplished by the Mantra-holder are unimaginable.”

  ”If the Mantra-holder say anything, no matter good or bad words sounds like pure Dharma-sound for all heaven-demons, heretics, Devas, dragons, ghosts, spirits, thus they will respect the Mantra-holder as if he was a Buddha.

  We should know that the one who recites and holds this Mantra is a store of Buddha-bodies, because he is cherished by 9.9 billions Ganges-river-sands Buddhas;

  We should know that the Mantra-holder is a brilliant light store, because he is illuminated by light of 9.9 billions Ganges-river-sands Buddhas;

  We should know that the Mantra-holder is a store of mercies and compassions, because he constantly saves living beings with this Dharani;

  We should know that the Mantra-holder is a wonderful-Dharmas store, because this Dharani includes all Dharani-gates;

  We should know that the Mantra-holder is a Zen store, because hundreds and thousands of Samadhis often appear in front of him;

  We should know that the Mantra-holder is a spaces store, because he constantly observes living-beings with wisdom of emptiness;

  We should know that the Mantra-holder is a store of intrepidities, because he is constantly guarded by dragons, gods, and virtuous gods;

  We should know that the Mantra-holder is a wonderful-language store, because sound of the Dharani from his mouth is uninterrupted;

  We should know that the Mantra-holder is an eternally-abiding store, because the three-disasters and evil-kalpas cannot harm him;

  We should know that the Mantra-holder is a liberation store, because heaven-demons and heretics cannot detain him;

  We should know that the Mantra-holder is a medicine-king store, because he constantly heals living beings with this Dharani;

  We should know that the Mantra-holder is a supernatural power store, because he can freely travel round the Buddha-lands.

  The glorifications for the meritorious-virtues of the Mantra-holder are endless.”

  ”Good men, if one tire of sufferings of the world and seek for happiness of long live, he should settle down in a tranquil place, make a pure secure-boundary, recite this Mantra towards water, or foods, or spices, or medicines, chant 108 times and eat them, then he will be certain to gain a long life. If he can make secure-boundary and hold the Mantra in correct manner, then all fruits can be achieved.

  The method of making secure-boundary is: Chant 21 times towards a knife, then countermark the ground with the knife to make a boundary; or chant 21 times towards white mustard seeds, then sprinkle the seeds on the ground to make a boundary; or make a boundary by mind; or chant 21 times towards clean ashes(of Incense) and make a boundary; or chant 21 times towards five-colored threads and then make a closed circle on the ground with the threads as a boundary. If one can do that in correct manner, he will achieve the goal naturally.”

  ”If anyone heard of the name of this Dharani, his uncountable weighty sins of birth and death will be extinguished, and how much more so those who recite and hold this Mantra themselves! If anyone can know and recite this holy Mantra, we should know that he has already offered and sustained innumerable Buddhas and have widely plant his good roots. If he can recite and hold the Mantra in correct manner for relieving all suffering living beings, we should know that he is the one with the great compassionate heart, and will become a Buddha soon. If he chant for all the living beings that he see, let them hear the Mantra, to be the cause of Bodhi for them, then the meritorious-virtues that accomplished by this Mantra-holder are incalculable and the glorifications for him are endless. If he can be very sincere, be vegetarian and keep complying with pure precepts, repent previous sins for all living beings, and also repent his own previous sins that have been produced in uncountable past kalpas, keep chanting this Dharani, then he will achieve the four Sramana-fruits in his present life; if he also has the means of wisdom-observing, then achieving fruits of ten Bhumis is not difficult for him, not to mention those little felicities of the world, all of his wishes will be fulfilled. If he want to command ghosts, he should find a skull in the field, wash it clean, set up a Mandala(altar) in front of a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, offer and sustain it with fragrance, flowers, vegetable foods, day after day, then 7 days later, the ghost will come and obey his orders. If he want to command four guardian gods, chant towards a sandalwood and then burn it, he can achieve the goal because the power of the Bodhisattva’s great compassionate vows are deep and weighty, also because that the power of this holy Dharani is mighty and vast.”

  The Buddha told Ananda: “When there are catastrophes in a country, if the king of the country can manage state affairs in correct manners, be lenient to his people, do not do anybody an injustice, and absolve people from blames, in 7 days and 7 nights, both his body and his mind can be sincere and diligent, to recite and hold this Great Compassionated Heart Dharani Holy Mantra, then all the catastrophes of his country will disappear, the five kinds of crops will be abundant and the people will rest in peace and happiness.

  If a country is invaded by enemies from other countries, people are unsafe and ministers are traitorous, pestilences are spreading everywhere, the rains and the droughts are unbalanced and unseasonable, the sun and the moon lost their accuracy, when such disasters come, the people should make a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, face to west, offer and sustain the statue sincerely with fragrance, flowers, streamers, ceremonial canopies, or vegetable foods of hundreds tastes, then in 7 days and 7 nights, if the king of the country can recite and hold the Great Compassionated Heart Dharani Holy Mantra, with both his body and mind sincerely and diligently, then the foreign enemies will be tamed and go back to their own countries and stop the intrusion, other countries will be merciful to this country, the prince and the officers will be loyal, the queen, the prince’s wife, and the maids will also be loyal to the king. Dragons, ghosts and spirits will support this country, rains will be seasonal, fruits will be abundant, and people will be happy.

  If anyone in a family get a evil disease, hundreds of monsters appear, ghosts, spirits, demons come to annoy and demolish the family; being maligned by villains and the members of the family are disharmonious. They should set up a Mandala(altar) in front of a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant the name of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva sincerely, and then chant this Dharani 1000 times, then all the misfortunes above will disappear, the family will be peaceful forever.”

  Ananda asked the Buddha: “Bhagavan, what is the name of this Mantra? How to uphold it?”

  The Buddha told Ananda: “This holy Mantra has many names, one of them is Vast Perfect, another is Unimpeded Great Compassion, another is Relieve-Suffering Dharani, another is Extend-Life Dharani, another is Extinguishing evil destinies Dharani, another is Break hindrance of evil karmas Dharani, another is Fulfill-wishes Dharani, another is Free and Self-master Dharani, another is Quickly exceed the upper stages Dharani. Thus should you respectfully uphold it.”

  Then Ananda asked the Buddha: “Bhagavan, what is the name of this Bodhisattva, who is so good to teach us this Dharani?”

  The Buddha said: “This Bodhisattva is called Avalokitesvara, also called Nimsor, also called Thousands light eyes. Good man, this Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has unimaginable mighty and holy powers. Uncountable kalpas before, he had been a Buddha named True Dharma enlightenment Tathagata. Because of the power of his great compassionate vows, in order to call upon all Bodhisattvas to comfort and please all living beings, he appear as a Bodhisattva. All of you, including Bodhisattvas, Brahmas, Gods of 33 heavens, dragons, Devas, should show respect to him, do not despise him. All celestial and human beings should offer and sustain him constantly, chant his name, then you will get infinite felicities and extinguish incalculable sins, and will be reborn in the pure-land of Amitabha Buddha at the end of your lives.

  The Buddha told Ananda: “The Mantra spoke by Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is veracious. If you wish to invite this Bodhisattva to come, chant the Mantra 21 times towards a Guggula and burn it, then this Bodhisattva will come.”

  ”If being possessed by a soul of cat, find a discarded cat’s skull, burn it to ashes, mix the ashes with clean soil, then use it to shape a cat. In front of a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant 108 times towards a wrought iron knife, then cut the model into 108 pieces with the knife. Chant once and cut once and say his name once, then the cat’s soul will leave.”

  ”If harmed by mediumistic insects(Gu), mix Karpura with same bulk of Guggula, add 1 bowl of Well-flower-water and decoct them into 1 bowl of decoction; when done, chant 108 times towards the decoction In front of a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, then take the decoction, the illness will be healed.”

(*[Note] Well-flower-water: the purest water from the well; each morning, the very first bucket of water from the well)

  ”If stung by snakes or scorpions, chant 7 times towards some powder of dry gingers, apply the powder on the sores and they will be healed.”

  ”If being hated by some person, find some clean soil, or flour, or wax, to shape the enemy’s body. In front of a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant 108 times towards a wrought iron knife, then cut the model into 108 pieces with the knife. Chant once and cut once and say his name once, and then burn up all 108 pieces. After that, the enemy will be happy, will respect you and will like to befriend you for his entire life.”

  ”For eye-diseases, find a Haritaki, a Amatakis, a Vihetaki, grind them into powder. During grinding, one must be careful, do not be seen by women who have just given birth, nor by pig or dogs. Chanting Amitabha, mix the powder with white-honey or human milk. The human milk must be from a mother of a boy, not from mothers of girls. When the medicine is done, in front of a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant 1008 times towards the medicine, then apply it on the sick eye for 7 days, stay in room and do not be blown by wind, then the eyes will recover and function well.”

  ”if bitten by snakes, get some earwax of that person, chant 21 times towards the earwax, apply on his sore, then it will be healed.”

  ”If infected by malaria and about to die, find a peach-glue as big as a normal peach, add 1 bowl of clean water and decoct them into half bowl of decoction. When done, chant 7 times towards the decoction, take them all, than the disease will be healed. The medicine should not be decocted by women.”

  ”If being possessed by ghosts, chant 21 times towards a Guggula and burn it to fume the nostrils, also find 7 Guggulas as big as rabbit dung, chant 21 times towards each of them and take them, do not drink alcohol, do not eat meat or the five-pungencies, do not abuse others, and find some arsenic sulphide, mix it with white mustard seeds and YanSheng-salt, then chant 21 times towards the mixture and burn it under the bed of the patient, then the possessing ghost will run away and not dare to stay.

(*[Note] The five-pungencies are: onions, leeks, garlic, chives or shallots)

  ”For deafness, chant towards sesame oil and drop the oil into ears, then the disease will be healed.”

  ”If suffering from hemiplegias, or having noses or ears stopped up, or being unable to move hands and feet because of apoplexy, mix sesame oil with Green-wood-spices and decoct, chant 21 times towards the mixture, and apply it on the body, then the diseases will be healed. Another prescription: Chant 21 times towards some ghee, and apply it on the body, then the diseases will be healed.”

  ”For dystocias, chant 21 times towards sesame oil and apply on both the navel and the jade-gate of the woman who is giving birth, then there will be an easy birth.”

  ”If a baby had died in the womb, find 1 Liang of hyssops, mix with 2 bowls of clean water, and decoct into 1 bowl of decoction. Chant 21 times towards the decoction and take it, then the dead baby will come out, and the woman will not be in pain. If the placenta could not come out, take the decoction again, then it will be fine.”

  ”For cardiodynias, find a fume-land-spice with mature papillas, chant 21 times towards it, chew and swallow it. After a while, the medicine swallowed will transform, then vomit them out, the disease will be healed. Do not eat Five-pungencies or meat, do not drink alcohol.”

  ”If burned by fire, chant 21 times towards some dung of black cows, apply them on the sores, the pain will be healed.”

  ”If one’s heart is being attacked by ascarids, chant 21 times towards some urine of white horses and take it, then the disease will be healed. If the disease is serious, take more medicine up to 1 bowl, then the ascarids will be expelled out like a group of ropes ”

  ”For Ding-sores, find some Ling-Xiu-leaves, grind them and get the juice, chant 21 times towards the juice, apply the juice to the sores, then the disease will be healed.”

  ”If one’s eyes were bitten by flies, find some new dung of donkey, filter it and get the liquid, chant 21 times towards the liquid, drop it into the eyes when lying on the bed at night, then the disease will be healed.”

  ”For bellyaches, mix Well-flower-water with YanSheng-salt to make 21 pellets, chant 21 times towards them, take them, then the disease will be healed.”

  ”For red-eyed diseases, or neoplasms in eyes, or cataracts, find some medlar leaves, grind them and get their juice, chant 21 times towards the juice, put some bronze coppers into the juice for a night, chant 7 times more, drop the juice into the eyes, then the disease will be healed.”

  ”For phobias, make a rope with white threads, chant 21 times towards it, tie 21 knots, and wear it on neck, then the fear will disappear. Not only would the fear disappear, sins will also be extinguished.”

  ”If there are calamities in home, find a guava branch, cut it into 1008 segments, apply ghee-honey on both ends of them, chant once and burn one segment, burn up all 1008 segments, then all calamities will disappear. This must be done in front of the Buddhas.”

  ”If the Mantra-holder chant 21 times towards a white flagleaf, wear it on the right arm, then he will always win victories at the fighting places and polemical places ”

  ”If the Mantra-holder find some leaves and branches of SiaSiaMi, cut them into 1008 segments, apply true-ghee and white-honey-ghee on both ends of them, chant once and burn one segment, burn up all 1008 segments. Do that 3 times each day, for 7 days, then the Mantra-holder will comprehend the through-Wisdom by himself.”

  ”If you wish to tame powerful ghosts or spirits, find some Wood-Wan-Zis, chant 49 times towards them, apply ghee-honey on them, and burn up them. This must be done in front of a statue of Great Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.”

  ”If you put 1 Liang of bezoar into a lapis-lazuli bottle, then put the bottle in front of a statue of Great Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant 108 times toward it, apply the bezoar on the body and the middle of the forehead, then All gods, dragons, ghosts, spirits, human and non-human beings, will be pleased.”

(* Liang: A Chinese measurement)

  ”If being chained and locked, find some dung of white pigeons, chant 108 times towards them, apply them on the hand and rub the chain and lock, then they will break off.”

  ”If husband and wife hate each other, just like water and fire, find some feathers of the tail of mandarin ducks, in front of a statue of Great Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, chant 1008 times towards the feathers and wear them, then the husband and the wife will love and respect each other for their whole life.”

  ”If seeds of fruits in farm are being eaten by insects, find some clean ashes, or clean sands, or clean water, chant 21 times towards them, sprinkle them around the farm and the seeds, then the insects will quit. For fruit trees, sprinkle the Mantra-water on the trees, then the insects will not dare to eat the fruits.”

  The Buddha told Ananda: ”
For richness, treasures, or various materials, use the Wish-fulfilling pearl Mudra(gesture).

If life is unstable and seeks for a stable life, use the Pasa(lasso) Mudra.

For diseases in stomach, use the Precious bowl Mudra.

For vanquishing all demons, monsters, ghosts, and spirits, use the Precious glave(double edge sword) Mudra.

For vanquishing all heavenly demons and Devas, use the Vajra Mudra.

For taming all enemies, use the Vajra pestle Mudra.

For eliminating all fears, use the Fearless-Giving (Abhayam-dada) Mudra.

For healing dim eyes, use the Sun-quintessence Mani Mudra.

For refresh cool to heal pyrexias, use the Moon-quintessence Mani Mudra.

For high post, use the Precious bow Mudra.

For meeting all good friends earlier, use the Precious arrow Mudra.

For healing various diseases on one’s body, use the willow branch Mudra.

For extinguishing evil obstacle and misfortunes of one’s body, use the White whisk Mudra.

For pacification of kinfolks, use the Precious vase Mudra.

For evading all tigers, wolves, jackals, panthers, and other fierce beasts, use the PongPie Mudra.

For always resting in peace and avoiding being imprisoned, use the Axe-tomahawk Mudra.

For commanding men and women, use the Jade bracelet Mudra.

For various merits and virtues, use the White lotus Mudra.

For rebirth in pure lands of the ten directions, use the Green lotus Mudra.

For great wisdom, use the Precious mirror Mudra.

For personally meeting all Buddhas of the ten directions, use the Purple lotus Mudra.

For underground precious deposits, use the Precious box Mudra.

For achieving the immortal(rsi) Way(Tao), use the Five colored cloud Mudra.

For rebirth in Brahma heaven, use the Bath bottle Mudra.

For rebirth in heavenly palaces, use the Red lotus Mudra.

For vanquishing traitors of other places, use the Precious halberd Mudra.

For summoning all virtuous heavenly gods, use the Precious trumpet shell Mudra.

For commanding all ghosts and spirits, use the Skull staff Mudra.

For Buddhas of the ten directions coming to receive with their hands quickly, use the Prayer beads Mudra.

For achieving all superior wonderful Brahma sounds, use the Precious bell Mudra.

For the ability of speaking elegant languages, use the Ratna(Precious) seal Mudra.

To be constantly guarded by virtuous gods and dragon kings, use the Kusinagara iron hook Mudra.

For mercifully protecting all living beings, use the Khakkhara(Monk’s Iron Staff) Mudra.

For all living beings to respect and love each others, use the Joining palms Mudra.

For always being reborn beside Buddhas for all lifetimes, use the Nirmana(Miraculously Created) Buddha Mudra.

To be always reborn in palaces of Buddhas for all lifetimes, and never be born from wombs, use the Nirmana-Palace Mudra.

For eruditeness, use the Precious Sutra Mudra.

For never to retrogress or lose the Bodhi-Heart from this present life to the life being a Buddha, use the Non-retrogression gold wheel Mudra.

If you wish the Buddhas of the ten directions to come quickly to rub your summit and award you the mark of future Buddhahood, use the Summit Nirmana Buddha Mudra.

For fruits, melons, corns and crops, use the Grape Mudra.

There are thousands of such requesting Mudras, now I have just curtly said some of them.”

  The Sunshine Bodhisattva then spoke a great holy Mantra for supporting the Mantra-holders of the Great Compassionate Heart Dharani:

  ”Namo Buddha Kunami, Namo Dharma Mahadi, Namo Samgha Tayeni, DhriBhuBhi Sattva Yam Namo”

  ”This Mantra can extinguish all sins. also can evade demons and disasters. If one can chant once and bow to Buddhas once, 3 times daily, chant and bow to Buddhas, then on the next life, he will get the delightful result that all of his facial features are handsome.”

  The Moonshine Bodhisattva also spoke a Dharani Mantra for supporting practitioners:

  ”Sumdhidi Tusuza Ahjamidi Uduza SumKiza Bolaidi Yemijaza Uduza Kuladiza Kimoza Svaha”

  ”Make a rope with five colored threads, chant this Mantra 5 times toward the rope, and wear on the sore. This Mantra had been spoken by the previous 40 Ganges-river-sands Buddhas, now I also speak it, for supporting all practitioners, for eliminating all obstacles and calamities, for healing all diseases, for relieving all sufferings, for accomplishing all virtuous Dharmas, for eliminating all fears.”

  The Buddha told Ananda: “You should accept and uphold this Great Compassion Dharani with a deeply pure heart, spread it abroad widely throughout Jambudvipa and never allow it to be lost. This Dharani can bring great benefit for all living beings of the three realms of Samsara, all living beings suffering from diseases can use this Dharani to heal their diseases. Even withered trees can grow new branches and fruits when being chanted towards with this great holy Mantra. Thus, it’s impossible that diseases of sentient and conscious beings cannot be healed by this Mantra. Good man, the mighty and holy power of this Dharani is unimaginable, unimaginable, the glorifications for it are endless. Not having widely planted good roots from previous lives, one can not hear even the name of this Dharani, not to mention the contents. You of the assembly, gods, human beings, dragons, spirits, should also glorify it while hearing my glorifications. Slandering this Mantra is equal to slandering those 9.9 billions Ganges-river-sands Buddhas. If anyone doubt, or don’t believe in this Dharani, we should know that he will lose the supreme blessing for eons, he will fall into the evil destinies constantly in thousands of kalpas and unable to escape; he will be unable to see the Buddhas, unable to hear the Dharmas, and unable to see the Sanghas for a long time.”

  After hearing the Buddha glorified this Dharani, the assembly: Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas, Vajra secret-traces deities, Brahmas, gods, the four heavenly kings, dragons, ghosts, spirits, were all pleased, and practise as taught.

(End of Translation)
(Translated into English by Silfong Chen)
(Special thanks to Padma Te Yuen for grammar correction)