Great Compassion Mantra: Purification, healing and protection, the Maha Karuna Dharani Sutra — benefiting all beings

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    Buddha Weekly avalokiteshvara statue chenrezig guanyin Buddhism
    Thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig or Guanyin.)

    Around the world, millions of Mahayana Buddhists chant the Maha Karuna Dharani, the Great Compassion Mantra of Avalokitesvara (Chenrezig, Guanyin) — famous for its benefits of healing, protection and purification.

    It is probably the second most chanted mantra, after Om Mani Padme Hum — which is a short mantra of Avalokitesvara. It is also among the most beautiful to listen to both in tonality and expression. Despite its intimidating length of 84 lines (there’s also a short version), which is long in terms of a Dharani or mantra, it is sung daily by many devoted followers of the Compassionate Buddha.

    [Four video chanted versions of the Great Compassion Mantra in this feature.]

     

    Buddha Weekly face of compassion chenrezig avalokiteshvara guanyin Buddhism
    The very face of compassion, Metta personified in glorious Avalokiteshvara, the compassionate Buddha.

     

    A Dharani is generally held to contain the essence of the entire Sutra in which it is cited, in this case the sutra of the Maha Karuna Dharani Sutra, but is not meant to be literally translated (even though we do so below.) It is meant to transform us at a more profound level than can be conveyed with simple words.

    [For a feature story on the “The many faces of Compassionate Avalokiteshvara”, see here>>

    Popular due to immeasurable benefits

    Why is it so popular, aside from intrinsically lovely lyrics and beautiful musicality. For one, it is of immeasurable benefit to all sentient beings. It is the very core of Avalokiteshvara’s compassionate mission. The immediate benefits, as taught in sutra and commentaries, are: purification of negative karmas, protection and healing.

    Aside from these immediate benefits, there are also unique benefits as taught in the sutra, which are equally immeasurable:

    ”Those who recite and hold the Mantra of Great Compassion (Da Bei Zhou) will not suffer any of these 15 kinds of bad death and will obtain the following 15 kinds of good birth:

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

    “Those who chant and hold the Great Compassion Mantra will obtain these 15 kinds of good birth. All people and gods should constantly chant and hold it, without carelessness.” – Great Compassion Dharani Sutra.”

     

    Buddha Weekly guanyin Buddhism
    Beautiful Guanyin, the feminine face of Avalokiteshvara’s compassion.

     

    The Maha Karuna Dharani Sutra

    The source of the mantra is the Maha Karuna Dharani Sutra. Shakyamui Buddha was at Potala mountain, when Avalokiteshvara rose from his seat, joined his palms 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 pure Dharmas; for maturing all virtuous roots; for overcoming all fears; for fulfilling all good wished. Bhagavan, please be merciful and allow me to speak ”

    [Full Sutra at the end of this feature.]

     

    Buddha Weekly avalokiteshvara face of compassion guanyin chenrezig Buddhism
    The wonderfully peaceful and loving face of Chenrezig – Guanyin – Avaolokiteshvara. Just meditating on the face of compassion brings peace. On Chenrezig’s crown is Amitabha, His spiritual father.

     

    Different versions, languages and translations

    It is most often sung or spoken in the original Sanskrit, rather than the available English, Thai, Vietnamese,  or Chinese translations.

    The translations tend to be for those compelled to delve into the “word meanings”, but as always with mantra, the word meanings are not that important. Sankrit is a language of Holy syllables, where not just words are formed, but sacred sounds that have layers of meaning. For this reason, the Great Dharani Mantra should be chanted in Sanskrit.

    Important Note: As pointed out by a diligent reader, the mantra often referred to as the Great Compassion Mantra (in popular videos and so on) is actually the Heart-dhāraṇī of Avalokiteśvara-ekadaśamukha — a very profoundly powerful and moving mantra. This is NOT the actual Great Compassion Mantra per the Sutras, but it is a great mantra of the Lord of Compassion Avalokiteshvara.

    The “popular” but incorrectly named Dharani — usually labled Great Compassion Mantra , but actually the Heart-dhāraṇī of Avalokiteśvara-ekadaśamukha is:

    नमो रतनत्रयाय, नमो आर्य ज्ञाना, सागरा, वैरोचना, व्यूहाराजय, तथागताय, अर्हते ,सम्यक सम् बुद्धाया।। नमो सर्व ताथगतेभ्य, अरहतेभ्य, सम्यक सम् बोधिभ्य। नमो आर्य अवलोखितेश्वराय,बोधिसत्वाय, महासत्तवाय महाकरुणिकाय। तद्यथा, ॐ धरा,धरा, धीरी, धिरी, धुरू धुरु, इतिवित्वी, ज्वले ज्वले, प्राजवले , प्राजवले कुसुमे कुसुमः धरे, इरि मिरी, चित्रेछ्ते चरम अपनाय, परमांसुत्त सत्व महाकरुणिका स्वाहा।।

    NAMO RATNA TRAYĀYA / NAMA ĀRYA JÑĀNA SĀGARA VAIROCANA VYŪHA RĀJĀYA / TATHĀGATĀYA / ARHATE / SAMYAKSAṂ BUDDHĀYA / NAMAḤ SARVA TATHĀGATEVYAḤ / ARHATEVYAḤ SAMYAKSAM BUDDHEVYAḤ / NAMA ĀRYA AVALOKITEŚVARĀYA / BODHISATVĀYA / MAHĀSATVĀYA / MAHĀKĀRUṆIKĀYA / TADYATHĀ / OṂ DHARA DHARA / DHIRI DHIRI / DHURU DHURU / IṬṬI VAṬṬI / JVALE JVALE / PRAJVALE PRAJVALE / KUSUME / KUSUMA / DHARE / ILI MILI / CHITRE CHITE JVALAMAPANAYA / PARAMA SUDDHA SATTVA MAHAKARUNIKA SVAHA

    The actual Great Compassion Mantra

    The “actual” Great Compassion Mantra is cited from a different Sutra: Maha Karuna Dharani Sutra, which is available at the bottom of this feature in English.

    The Great Compassion Dharani is significantly longer than the Heart-dhāraṇī of Avalokiteśvara-ekadaśamukha most often incorrectly labeled. Never-the-less the benefits of both Dharnis are significant and similar and they are both Dharanis of the Lord of Compassion Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig in Tibetan.)

    Animated Great Compassion Mantra with English translation:

     

     

    The Great Compassion Mantra in transliterated Sanskrit

    Namo Ratna Trayaya.

    Namah Arya Avalokitesvaraya

    Bodhisattvaya Mahasattvaya Mahakarunikaya

    Sarva Bandhana Chedana Karaya .

    Sarva Bhava Samudram Sosana Karana.

    Sarva Vyadhi Prasamana Karaya.

    Sarva Mrtyu Upa-Drava Viansana Karana .

    Sarva Bhaye Su Trana Karaya.

    Tasmat Namas – Krtva Idam

    Buddha Weekly Guanyin compassionate goddess Buddhism
    The kind face of loving Guanyin, the female aspect of Avalokiteshvara, Goddess of Compassion.

    Arya Avalokitesvara Bhastinam Nilakantha

    Pi Nama Hrdayam Avarta Isyami

    Sarvartha-sadhanam Subham Ajeyam

    Sarva Bhutanam Bhava Marga Visuddhakam

    Tadyatha, Om Aloke Aloka-mati Lokati Krante.

    He Hare Arya Avalokitesvara

    Maha bodhisattva , He Boddhisattva , He

    Maha bodhisattva , He Virya Bodhisattva

    He Mahakarunika Smara Hradayam.

    Hi Hi , Hare Arya Avalokitesvara Mahesvara Parama

    Maitra-Citta Mahakarunika.

    Kuru Kuru Karman

    Sadhaya Sadhaya Vidyam.

    Ni Hi , Ni Hi Varnam Kamam-Game .

    Vitta-Kama Vigama.

    Siddha Yogesvara .

    Dhuru Dhuru Viryanti, Maha Viryanti .

    Dhara Dhara Dharendresvara.

    Cala Cala Vimala Amala Murte

    Arya Avalokitesvara Jina Krsna Jata-Makuta

    Valam Ma Pra-Lamba Maha Siddha

    Vidya dhara.Vara Vara Maha Vara .

    Bala Bala Maha Bala.

    Cala Cala Maha Cala

    Krsna-Varna Nigha Krsna – Paksa Nirghatana.

    He Padma-Hasta Cara Cara Desa

    Caresvara Krsna –Sarpa Krta Yajnopavita

    Ehyehi Maha Varaha-Mukha,Tripura-Dahanesvara

    Narayana Va Rupa Vara Marga Ari .

    He Nilakantha , He Mahakara ,

    Hala hala Visa Nir-jita Lokasya.

    Raga Visa Vinasana.

    Dvesa Visa Vinasana.

    Moha Visa Vinasana

    Huru Huru Mala, Huru Huru Hare, Maha Padmanabha

    Sara Sara , Sri Sri , Suru Suru ,

    Bhu ruc Bhu ruc

    Buddhiya Buddhiya , Boddhaya Boddhaya

    Maitri Nilakantha Ehyehi Vama

    Shitha Simha-Mukha Hasa Hasa,

    Buddha Weekly Guanyin on the dragon Buddhism
    Beautiful mother Guanyin is one feminine aspect of Avalokiteshvara.

    Munca Munca Mahattahasam Ehiyehi Pa

    Maha Siddha Yogesvara

    Bhana Bhana Vaco

    Sadhaya Sadhaya Vidyam.

    Smara Smaratam Bhagavantam Lokita

    Vilokitam Lokesvaram Tathagatam Dadahi

    Me Drasana Kamasya Darsanam

    Pra-Hiadaya Mana Svaha.

    Siddhaya Svaha.

    Maha Siddhaya Svaha

    Siddha Yogesvaraya Svaha

    Nilakanthaya Svaha

    Varaha-Mukhaya Svaha

    Maha-dara Simha-Mukhaya Svaha

    Siddha Vidyadharaya Svaha

    Padma-Hastaya Svaha

    Krsna-Sarpa Krta Yajnopavitaya Svaha

    Maha Lakutadaharaya Svaha

    Cakrayuddhaya Svaha

    Sankha-Sabdani Bodhanaya Svaha

    Vama Skandhadesa Shitha Krsnajinaya Svaha

    Vyaghra-Carma Nivasanaya Svaha

    Lokesvaraya Svaha

    Sarva Siddhesvaraya Svaha

    Namo Bhagavate Arya Avalokitesvaraya Bodhisattvaya

    Maha Sattvaya Mahakarunikaya

    Sidhyanthu Me Mantra-Padaya Svaha

     

    Buddha Weekly mantra of avalokiteshvara Buddhism
    Four-armed aspect of Chenrezig, Lord of Compassion.

     

     

     

    Translation in English (See caution about translations above)

    Buddha Weekly chenrezig avalokitesvara with tara and amitabha Buddhism
    Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) is the Buddha of Compassion.

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I quickly know all Dharmas;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I soon obtain the Wisdom Eye;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I quickly ferry all living beings (to the

    shore of liberation);

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I soon obtain virtuous skillful means (to enlighten various living beings);

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I quickly board the Prajna (wisdom) Boat;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I soon transcend the ocean of suffering;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I quickly achieve precepts, Samadhi and the Way;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I soon ascend the mountain of Nirvana;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I quickly dwell in the house of non-action;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I soon unite with the Dharma-Nature Body.

    If I go towards the mountain of knives, the mountain of knives of itself breaks up;

    If I go towards the boiling oil, the boiling oil of itself dries up;

    If I go towards the hells, the hells of themselves disappear;

    If I go towards the hungry ghosts, the hungry ghosts of themselves become full.

    If I go towards the demons, their evil thoughts of themselves are tamed.

    If I go towards the animals, they themselves attain great wisdom.

     

    Buddha Weekly avalokiteshvara statue chenrezig guanyin Buddhism
    Thousand-armed Chenrezig or Guanyin.

     

    Direct Translation of the Great Compassion Mantra

     

    Adoration to the Almighty One.

    Adoration to the noble Avalokitesvara, bodhisattva, the Great Compassionate One.

    I continually adore the One who Dispels all Fears,

    O noble Avalokitesvara, to You adoration, O Nilakantha.

    I shall clearly sing the ‘heart’ dharani for the sake of all beings, for it is pure and serves all purposes for all beings, as it purifies the path of soul existence.

    Therefore, Lord of Radiance, World-Transcending One.

    Come, come, great bodhisattva, descend, descend. Bear in mind my heart-dharani.

    Do, do the work in our souls.

    Hold fast, oh Victor, oh Great Victorious One.

    Hold on, hold on, oh Lord of the Dharani.

    Move, move oh my immaculate image, come, come.

    Destroy every poison.

    Quick, bear in mind, quick, quick, descend, descend.

    Enlightened being, O enlightened being, enlighten me, enlighten me. Oh merciful

    My Lord, appear unto me. To You who sees our all, Namo. To the Great Lord, Namo. To the Great Lord in Yoga, Namo. To my Lord, Namo. To the Varaha*, Namo.

    Adoration to the Triple Gem. Adoration to the noble Avalokitesvara bodhisattva, Namo.

     

    Traditional chanting of Great Compassion Mantra:

     

     

    FULL STURA BELOW

    Great Compassion Dharani Sutra

    (Maha Karuna Dharani Sutra)

    Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Vast, Perfect,

    Unimpeded, Great-Compassionate Heart Dharani Sutra

    (Tripitaka No. 1060)

     

    Thus I have heard, once Sakyamuni Buddha was at Potalaka Mountain, in the treasureadorned

    Way-place in Avalokitesvara’s palace, sitting on a precious Lion-Throne adorned

    in purity with countless multifarious Mani-jewels. Hundreds of precious streamers and

    banners were hanging all around.

    At that time, the Tathagata, who was sitting on his throne, intending to explain a teaching

    of the Total-Retention Dharani, was along with innumerable Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas,

    whose names are: Dharani King Bodhisattva, Treasure King Bodhisattva, Bhaisajya-

    Raja(Medicine King) Bodhisattva, Bhaisajya-Samudgata(Medicine Superior) Bodhisattva,

    Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Maha-stamaprapta(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 great Dharma-

    Princes who had been empowered through their crowns (Abhiseka).

    The Buddha was also along with innumerable great Voice-Hearers (Sravakas), all of whom

    were practicing the tenth stage of Arhat, headed by Maha-Kasyapa;

    He was also along with innumerable gods of Brahma-Heaven, headed by Sinza-Brahma;

    Also along with Him were innumerable Gods of heavens of the desire realm, headed by

    Gopaka-God;

    Also along with Him were innumerable four-guardian-gods, headed by Dhritarastra;

    Also along with Him were innumerable gods, dragons, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Asuras,

    Garudas, Kinnaras, Mahoragas, human beings, Amanusyas, headed by Heavenly Virtue

    great dragon king;

    Also along with Him were innumerable goddesses of heavens of the desire realm, headed

    by Virginal Eye goddesses;

    Also along with Him were innumerable Sunyatas(Gods of spaces), gods of rivers and

    oceans, gods of fountains and spring, gods of stream and 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.

    They all came and gathered in the congregation.

    At that time in the congregation, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva secretly emitted his

    sacrosanct light, thereupon, the worlds in the ten directions, along with this threethousand-

    great-thousand worlds system, were all illuminated and became golden.

    Heavenly palaces, palaces of dragons, and palaces of all gods were all shaken. Rivers,

    oceans, Iron-Ring Mountains (Cakravada-parvata), Sumeru Mountains, Earth Mountains,

    and black mountains were also shaken. The light of suns, moons, pearls, fire, and

    constellations 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 such great bright light universally?

    The worlds of the ten directions are all golden,

    so do these three-thousand-great-thousand worlds.

    Who attained the ultimate freedom today,

    manifesting the rare great holy power?

    Innumerable Buddha-Worlds are shaken,

    so do palaces of dragons and gods.

    Now the entire congregation is wondering,

    not knowing whose power caused these.

    Is he a Buddha, Bodhisattva, or great Voice-Hearer,

    or a Brahman, demon, heavenly god, or Sakra?

    We pray for the Bhagavan (World Honored One)’s Great Compassion,

    to tell us the source of this great supernatural power.”

    The Buddha told Dharani King Bodhisattva: “Virtuous man, you all should know that in

    this congregation there is a Bodhisattva-Mahasattva named Avalokitesvara, the

    Unrestricted One. He had achieved the Great Kindness and Great Compassion since

    uncountable Kalpas before, and he excels at practicing countless Dharani-Gates. In order

    to comfort and please all living-beings, he secretly emits such great 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 White (pure) Dharmas; for maturing all virtuous-roots; for

    overcoming all fears; for fulfilling all good wishes. Bhagavan, please be merciful and allow

    me to speak.”

    The Buddha said: “Virtuous man, you have great kindness and great compassion, in order

    to comfort and please all living beings, you wish to speak the holy mantra, it is the proper

    time now, please speak it soon, the Tathagata approves and rejoices it, and so do all

    Buddhas.”

    Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva then said to the Buddha: “Bhagavan, I remember that

    countless billions of kalpas ago, a Buddha, whose name was Thousand Rays King

    Stillness Thus Come One, appeared in the world. Because of his mercy and mindfulness

    towards me and all living beings, that Buddha, the World Honored One spoke this Vast,

    Perfect, Unimpeded, Great Compassionate Heart Dharani, rubbed my crown with his

    golden hand and said: ‘Virtuous man, you should hold this heart-mantra to give great

    benefit and happiness to all living beings in the future evil age.’ At that time I was just at

    the first Bhumi(stage of Bodhisattva), right after hearing this mantra, I exceeded the eighth

    Bhumi. At that time, as my heart was joyful, I vowed: ‘If I will be able to give benefit and

    happiness to all living beings in the future, let me have one thousand hands and one

    thousand eyes immediately.’ Instantly after the vow, I got fully one thousand hands and

    one thousand eyes on my body, then, the grounds of the worlds of the ten directions

    quaked in six ways, thousands of Buddhas of the ten directions emitted their light to my

    body and illuminated boundless worlds of the ten directions. From then on, from

    countless Buddhas and congregations, I have repeatedly heard, accepted and held this

    Dharani, and the joys were also repeatedly aroused from my heart, and made me greatly

    enthusiastic. Therefore, I transcended imperceptible births and deaths of countless

    billions of kalpas. Since then, I have always been reciting and holding this mantra, and

    have never forgotten it. Because of holding this mantra, I was always born by miraculous

    creation (nirmana) from lotuses in front of Buddhas, and have never been born from any

    womb.”

    “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 arouse heir great merciful and compassionate hearts for all

    living beings, and follow me in making these vows:

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

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I quickly know all Dharmas;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I soon obtain the Wisdom Eye;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I quickly ferry all living beings (to the

    shore of liberation);

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I soon obtain virtuous skillful means (to

    enlighten various living beings);

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I quickly board the Prajna Boat;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I soon transcend the ocean of suffering;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I quickly achieve precepts, Samadhi and

    the Way;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I soon ascend the mountain of Nirvana;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I quickly dwell in the house of nonaction;

    Namo great compassionate Avalokitesvara, May I soon unite with the Dharma-Nature

    Body.

    If I go towards the mountain of knives, the mountain of knives of itself breaks up;

    If I go towards the boiling oil, the boiling oil of itself dries up;

    If I go towards the hells, the hells of themselves disappear;

    If I go towards the hungry ghosts, the hungry ghosts of themselves become full.

    If I go towards the Asuras, their evil thoughts of themselves are tamed.

    If I go towards the animals, they themselves attain great wisdom.”

    “After making these vows, recite my name(Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) with the

    deep-felt sincere heart, also recite single-mindedly the name of my teacher — Amitabha

    Tathagata(Namo Amitabha), then recite this mantra, 5 times or more in a day, to remove

    from the body the weighty sins of births and deaths accumulated in hundreds of

    thousands of billions of kalpas.”

    Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva then said to the Buddha: “Bhagavan, if humans or gods recite

    and hold the phrases of the Great Compassion Dharani, when they are about to die, all

    the Buddhas of the ten directions will come to receive them with their hands, and they

    will be reborn in whichever Buddha-World 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-World, 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

    completely sincere.

    If a woman dislikes her female body and wishes to become a male, if she recites the

    phrases of the Great Compassion Dharani but can not change from a female to a male, I

    vow not to achieve the Correct-Awakening. However, if she arouses even a slightest

    doubt, her wish will not be satisfied.

    If any living being usurps the drinks, foods, or possessions of Sanghas (group of monks),

    even though one thousand Buddhas appear in the world, he will not get to repent and

    reform. Even if he repents, his sins will not be eliminated. But now, by reciting this Great

    Compassion holy mantra, his sins will be eliminated. If anyone usurps, eats, or uses the

    drinks, foods, or possessions of Sanghas, he must repent to teachers of the ten directions

    to eliminate his sins. Now, when he reties this Great Compassion Dharani, the teachers of

    the ten directions will come to bear witness, and then all his weighty sins and hindrances

    will be eliminated.

    All evil karma and weighty sins such as the ten evil deeds, the five rebellious sins,

    slandering people, slandering the Dharmas, breaking the Abstinent-precepts (*), breaking

    other precepts, destroying stupas (holy towers), wrecking temples, stealing properties of

    Sanghas, and profaning Brahma (pure) practices, can be completely eliminated (by reciting

    this Dharani), except this: if one has doubts about this Dharani, then even his small sins

    and light karma cannot be eliminated, not to mention the weighty sins. Although the

    weighty sins do not disappear immediately, the reciting can still be the cause of Bodhi in

    the future.”

    Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva continued to say to the Buddha:

    “People and gods who recite and hold the Great Compassionate Heart Dharani 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 virtuous friends;
    5. The organs of their body will always be complete;
    6. Their hearts of Way(Bodhi) will be pure and mature;
    7. They will not violate the prohibitive precepts;
    8. All their relatives 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 possessions 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, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva joined his palms and stood upright in front

    of the congregation, aroused his great compassionate heart for all living beings, smiled and

    in this way spoke the Sacrosanct Wonderful Phrases of the Vast, Perfect, Unimpeded,

    Great Compassionate Heart Great Dharani. The Dharani is:

    Namo Ratna Trayaya.

    Namah Arya Avalokitesvaraya

    Bodhisattvaya Mahasattvaya Mahakarunikaya

    Sarva Bandhana Chedana Karaya .

    Sarva Bhava Samudram Sosana Karana.

    Sarva Vyadhi Prasamana Karaya.

    Sarva Mrtyu Upa-Drava Viansana Karana .

    Sarva Bhaye Su Trana Karaya.

    Tasmat Namas – Krtva Idam

    Arya Avalokitesvara Bhastinam Nilakantha

    Pi Nama Hrdayam Avarta Isyami

    Sarvartha-sadhanam Subham Ajeyam

    Sarva Bhutanam Bhava Marga Visuddhakam

    Tadyatha, Om Aloke Aloka-mati Lokati Krante.

    He Hare Arya Avalokitesvara

    Maha bodhisattva , He Boddhisattva , He

    Maha bodhisattva , He Virya Bodhisattva

    He Mahakarunika Smara Hradayam.

    Hi Hi , Hare Arya Avalokitesvara Mahesvara Parama

    Maitra-Citta Mahakarunika.

    Kuru Kuru Karman

    Sadhaya Sadhaya Vidyam.

    Ni Hi , Ni Hi Varnam Kamam-Game .

    Vitta-Kama Vigama.

    Siddha Yogesvara .

    Dhuru Dhuru Viryanti, Maha Viryanti .

    Dhara Dhara Dharendresvara.

    Cala Cala Vimala Amala Murte

    Arya Avalokitesvara Jina Krsna Jata-Makuta

    Valam Ma Pra-Lamba Maha Siddha

    Vidya dhara.Vara Vara Maha Vara .

    Bala Bala Maha Bala.

    Cala Cala Maha Cala

    Krsna-Varna Nigha Krsna – Paksa Nirghatana.

    He Padma-Hasta Cara Cara Desa

    Caresvara Krsna –Sarpa Krta Yajnopavita

    Ehyehi Maha Varaha-Mukha,Tripura-Dahanesvara

    Narayana Va Rupa Vara Marga Ari .

    He Nilakantha , He Mahakara ,

    Hala hala Visa Nir-jita Lokasya.

    Raga Visa Vinasana.

    Dvesa Visa Vinasana.

    Moha Visa Vinasana

    Huru Huru Mala, Huru Huru Hare, Maha Padmanabha

    Sara Sara , Sri Sri , Suru Suru ,

    Bhu ruc Bhu ruc

    Buddhiya Buddhiya , Boddhaya Boddhaya

    Maitri Nilakantha Ehyehi Vama

    Shitha Simha-Mukha Hasa Hasa,

    Munca Munca Mahattahasam Ehiyehi Pa

    Maha Siddha Yogesvara

    Bhana Bhana Vaco

    Sadhaya Sadhaya Vidyam.

    Smara Smaratam Bhagavantam Lokita

    Vilokitam Lokesvaram Tathagatam Dadahi

    Me Drasana Kamasya Darsanam

    Pra-Hiadaya Mana Svaha.

    Siddhaya Svaha.

    Maha Siddhaya Svaha

    Siddha Yogesvaraya Svaha

    Nilakanthaya Svaha

    Varaha-Mukhaya Svaha

    Maha-dara Simha-Mukhaya Svaha

    Siddha Vidyadharaya Svaha

    Padma-Hastaya Svaha

    Krsna-Sarpa Krta Yajnopavitaya Svaha

    Maha Lakutadaharaya Svaha

    Cakrayuddhaya Svaha

    Sankha-Sabdani Bodhanaya Svaha

    Vama Skandhadesa Shitha Krsnajinaya Svaha

    Vyaghra-Carma Nivasanaya Svaha

    Lokesvaraya Svaha

    Sarva Siddhesvaraya Svaha

    Namo Bhagavate Arya Avalokitesvaraya Bodhisattvaya

    Maha Sattvaya Mahakarunikaya

    Sidhyanthu Me Mantra-Padaya Svaha

     

     

     

     

    Buddha Weekly 1000 armed chenrezig avalokiteshvara guanyin Buddhism
    A thousand arms of compassion. The 84 aspects of Avalokiteshvara’s compassion is celebrated in the great Dharani, including the thousand-armed Chenrezig aspect — a 1000-arms of compassion reaching out to benefit all sentient beings.

     

    When Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva finished speaking this mantra, the earth shook in six

    ways. The heavens rained down precious flowers, which fell in colorful profusion. All the

    Buddhas of the ten directions were delighted, while the heavenly demons and Exteriorpaths

    practitioners were so frightened that their hair stood on end. Everyone in the

    congregation achieved different fruitions, including the fruitions of stream-enterer (srotaapanna),

    once-returner (sakrd-agamin), non-returner (Anagamin), and Arhat; others

    achieved the first Bhumi(stage of Bodhisattva), the second Bhumi, the third, fourth, fifth

    …… up to the tenth Bhumi. Innumerable living beings aroused the Bodhi-Heart (The

    resolve to save all living beings and help them to achieve the Correct Awakening).

    Then the great Brahma heavenly king arose from his seat, tidied up his clothes, joined his

    palms respectfully, and said to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva: “How virtuous, Mahasattva!

    I had attended innumerable Buddha-Congregations and heard myriads of Dharmas and

    Dharanis, but never before had I heard such Sacrosanct Wonderful Phrases of the

    Unimpeded Great Compassionate Heart’s Great Compassion Dharani. Mahasattva,

    please tell us the feature and characteristics 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, and I will tell

    you in brief.”

    Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said: “It is the great merciful and compassionate heart, the

    impartial heart, the motionless heart, the unpolluted and unattached heart, the emptinessobserving

    heart, the respectful heart, the humble heart, the uncluttered heart, the non-view

    and non-grasping heart, and the uppermost Bodhi-Heart. You should know that such

    hearts are the feature and characteristics of this Dharani, you should practice according to

    them.”

    Then the great Brahma king said: “We now know the feature and characteristics of this

    Dharani, from now on, we will recite and hold it and will never dare to forget or loss it.”

    Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said: “If any virtuous men or virtuous women, who recite and

    hold this holy Dharani, can arouse the vast Bodhi-Heart that vow to ferry all living beings

    to the shore of liberation, keep the Abstinent-precepts(*) bodily, arouse the heart of

    equality towards all living beings, keep reciting this Dharani without interruption, reside

    in a clean room, wash themselves clean, wear clean clothes, hang up streamers and light up

    lamps, make offerings with fragrances, flowers, vegetable foods of hundreds of tastes,

    make their hearts stay still at one place, do not think about others, and recite and hold this

    Dharani according to the Dharma, then, Sunlight Bodhisattva, Moonlight Bodhisattva and

    innumerable gods and immortals will come to bear witness and enhance the efficacy of

    their recitation.”

    “At that time, I will illuminate them with a thousand eyes, and protect and support them

    with a thousand hands. From then on, they will be able to master all worldly literature,

    and will perfectly understand all Exterior-paths’ theories and sorceries, as well as the Veda

    Scriptures.”

    “One who recites and holds this holy mantra can heal all the 84000 kinds of diseases of

    the world, without exception. He also can command all ghosts and spirits, vanquish

    heavenly demons, and tame all Exterior-paths practitioners.”

    “If one is reading Sutras or practicing Dhyana (Zen) in a mountain or a wild field, and

    some mountain-spirits, various ghosts, demons, monsters or Devas come to disturb and

    make him unable to concentrate, recite this mantra once, then all those ghosts and spirits

    will be tied up.”

    “If one can recites this Mantra in accord with Dharma and arouse merciful and

    compassionate heart towards all living beings, I will then command all virtuous gods,

    dragon kings, and Vajra Secret-Traces Divinities to always follow and guard him, never

    leaving his side, guarding him as their own eyes and lives.”

    Then Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva said the Gatha:

    “I command the Vajra Secret-Traces Knights: Ucchusma, Kundalin, Ankusa, and the eight

    clans’ powerful knight Shankara,

    to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

    I command Mahesvaras, Narayana, Kumbhiraba and Kapila,

    to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

    I command Pajis, Sahassakkhas, perfect-virtuous chebuds and Kimnaras,

    to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

    I command Sajamahoras, Kumbhandas, Katabhutanas, and Banjras,

    to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

    I command Bhipagara kings, and morality Vitasaharas,

    to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

    I command Brahma king Sambra, the five clans of pure-abode heavens and Yamarajas,

    to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

    I command Sakra Devanam indra, the Lord of the thirty-three heavens, Sarasvatis, and

    Vardhanas,

    to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

    I command Dhritarastra king, Haritis, goddess and great strength gods,

    to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

    I command Virudhaka king, Virupaksa king and Vaisravana king,

    to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

    I command the Golden Peacock King, and the twenty-eight clans of great immortals,

    to guard the Mantra-holders constantly;

    I command 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, and 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 greatstrength

    Yaksas, will always follow and guard the holders of the Great Compassion Holy

    Mantra. If the Mantra-holder dwells and sleeps alone in an uninhabited mountain or

    wilderness, those virtuous gods will guard him by turns to eliminate misfortunes. If the

    Mantra-holder loses his way deep in the mountain, because of reciting this Mantra, the

    virtuous gods and dragon-kings will transform themselves into virtuous people and tell

    him the correct way. If the Mantra-holder lacks water or requires fire in a mountain,

    forest, or wilderness, the dragon-kings will protect him by miraculously creating water

    and fire for him.”

    Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva then said a misfortune-eliminating and refreshingly 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 wild way,

    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 carbuncles, 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,

    then the hexes and evil spells will return to its original senders.

    When Dharma is about to disappear,

    the world is evil, feculent and disordered,

    poeple’s sexual desire are like raging fire,

    their hearts are deluded and they confuse right and wrong.

    They have adulteries behind their spouses,

    and think of lust days and nights ceaselessly.

    If they can recite the Great Compassion Dharani sincerely,

    the fire of sexual desire will quench and the evil minds will extinguish.

    If I glorify the effect and power 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 the Dharani 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 the practitioners who practice the six Perfections

    (Paramita) but have not yet fulfilled them, to make them succeed quickly;

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

    quickly;

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

    For all gods and supernatural persons in the three-thousand-great-thousand worlds, who

    have not yet aroused the unsurpassed Bodhi-Heart, to make them arouse the 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 Dharani, their seeds of Mahayana and Dharma-buds will grow

    quickly; with the power of my expedients, mercy and compassion, all of their needs will

    be supplied.

    For those living beings of the three evil paths, who live in the gloomy regions of the threethousand-

    great-thousand worlds, when they hear this Mantra, they will all be free from

    suffering;

    For Bodhisattvas who have not yet achieved the first Bhumi, to make them achieve

    quickly, and make them achieve even up to the tenth Bhumi, and even up to the

    Buddhahood, with the thirty-two marks and the eighty minor marks achieved naturally.

    If a Voice-Hearer (Sravaka) once hears this Dharani pass by his ears, if he practices and

    writes this Dharani, and if he settles down with straightforward heart in accord with

    Dharma, then he will naturally achieve the four Sramana-fruits even if he does not seek for

    the fruitions.

    Suppose all the mountains, rivers, cliffs, and oceans in the three-thousand-great-thousand

    worlds can be boiled; the Sumeru mountains and Cakravada-parvata mountains can be

    shaken, and grinded to dust, all living beings of that magnitude will arouse the

    unsurpassed Bodhi-Hearts [by the power of this Dharani].

    If anyone prays for any wish in his present life, he should keep the Abstinentprecepts(*)

    and keep reciting this Dharani for 21 days, then his wishes will certainly be

    fulfilled. From the verge of the previous birth-and-death to the verge of the next birth-anddeath,

    all his evil karmas will be cleaned up. In the three-thousand-great-thousand worlds,

    all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Brahmas, Sakra Devanam-Indra (heavenly lord), the four

    guardian gods, divinities, immortals, and dragon-kings, will bear witness.”

    “If a human or heavenly being, who recites and holds this Dharani, baths in a river or a

    sea, the nearby living beings wet by his bath-water will have all their weighty sins cleaned

    and be reborn in pure-lands of other directions. They will be born through miraculous

    creation from lotuses, and will not undergo birth from wombs, moistures, or eggs. How

    much more so, for those who recite and hold this Dharani themselves!”

    “If one who recites and holds this Dharani is walking, a wind blows 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 the three evil paths, and often be born in front of Buddhas. It should be

    known that the Mantra-holder’s blessings, virtues, and fruit-repayments will be

    unimaginable.”

    “If the Mantra-holder says anything, no matter good or bad, it sounds like pure Dharmasound

    to all heavenly demons, Exterior-paths practitioners, gods, dragons, ghosts, and

    spirits, thus they will respect the Mantra-holder as if he were a Buddha.”

    “As to one who recites and holds this Dharani, we should know that he is a store of

    Buddha-bodies, because he is cherished by 9.9 billions Ganges-river-sands Buddhas;

    We should know that he is a brilliant light store, because he is illuminated by the light of

    all Tathagatas;

    We should know that he is a store of mercies and compassions, because he constantly

    saves living beings with this Dharani;

    We should know that he is a wonderful-Dharmas store, because this Dharani includes all

    Dharani-Gates;

    We should know that the he is a store of Dhyana and Samadhi, because hundreds of

    thousands of Samadhis often appear in front of him;

    We should know that the he is an Empty Spaces store, because he constantly observes

    living beings with wisdom of emptiness;

    We should know that the he is a store of intrepidities, because he is constantly guarded

    by dragons, gods, and virtuous gods;

    We should know that the he is a Wonderful Language store, because the Dharani-Sound

    come from his mouth is uninterrupted;

    We should know that the he is an Eternally-Abiding store, because the three-disasters and

    evil-kalpas cannot harm him;

    We should know that the he is a Liberation store, because heavenly demons and Exteriorpaths

    practitioners cannot detain him;

    We should know that the he is a Medicine-King store, because he constantly heals living

    beings with this Dharani;

    We should know that the he is a supernatural power store, because he can freely travel

    round the Buddha-Worlds.

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

    “Virtuous men, if one tires of the sufferings of the world and seeks for happiness of long

    life, he should settle down in an unoccupied and clean place, make a pure Secure

    Boundary, recite this Dharani towards his clothing, water, foods, fragrances, or medicines

    for 108 times and then use them, then he will certainly gain a long life. If he can make a

    Secure Boundary, accept and hold the Dharani in accord with Dharma, then all things will

    be achievable.”

    “The method of making a Secure Boundary is:

    Recite the Dharani 21 times towards a knife, and then countermark the ground with the

    knife to make a boundary;

    or recite the Dharani 21 times towards some clean water, and then sprinkle it around as

    the boundary;

    or recite the Dharani 21 times towards some white mustard seeds, and then scatter them

    around to mark a boundary,;

    or make a boundary by mental visualisation;

    or recite the Dharani 21 times towards some clean ashes(of Incense) and use them to mark

    a boundary;

    or recite the Dharani 21 times towards a five-colored thread and then make a closed circle

    on the ground with the threads as a boundary.

    All of these will do.

    If one can accept and hold the Dharani in accord with the Dharma, he will achieve the fruit

    naturally.”

    “If anyone just hears the name of this Dharani, his weighty sins of births and deaths of

    countless kalpas will be eliminated, how much more so, of 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 planted

    his virtuous roots. If he can recite and hold the Dharani in accord with Dharma to relieve

    all living beings from sufferings, we should know that he is the one with the great

    compassionate heart, and will become a Buddha soon.”

    “If he recites the Dharani for all living beings that he sees, make them hear the Dharani and

    make it become a cause of their achievement of Bodhi, then, his merits and virtues are

    immeasurable, boundless, and cannot be praised completely.”

    “If he can, with pure sincerity, apply his heart to keep the Abstinent-precepts, repent the

    previous sins on behalf of all living beings, also repent his own various sins accumulated

    in countless past kalpas, keep reciting this Dharani and never allow the sound of

    recitation to be interrupted, then he will achieve the four Sramana-fruits in his present life;

    if he has excellent talent for Dharma (literally: sharp root) and masters the skillful means

    of Wisdom-Observing, then achieving the fruits of ten Bhumis is not difficult for him, not

    to mention those small worldly blessings. All his wishes will be fulfilled.”

    “If he wishes to command ghosts, he should find a skull in the wild, wash it clean, set up

    a Mandala(altar) in front of a statue of Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed

    Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and make offerings of multifarious fragrances, flowers,

    drinks, and vegetable foods. Do this day after day, then 7 days later, the ghost will appear

    and obey his orders.”

    “If he wish to command the four guardian gods, he should recite towards a sandalwood

    and burn it, then he will achieve the goal – because the power of the Bodhisattva’s great

    compassionate vows are deep and weighty, and 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 according to correct laws, be liberal toward people and

    animals, not to do anybody an injustice, absolve people from blames, and for 7 days and

    7 nights, keep both his body and his mind sincere and diligent, and in this way recite and

    hold this Great Compassionate Heart Dharani Holy Mantra, then all the catastrophes of

    his country will disappear, the five kinds of crops will be abundant and his people will

    live in peace and happiness.”

    “If a country is being frequently 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, or even 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 and set it facing the west, make

    offerings to it sincerely with fragrances, flowers, streamers, precious canopies, or

    vegetable foods and drinks of hundreds of tastes, and, for 7 days and 7 nights, if the king

    of the country can keep both his body and mind sincere and diligent, and in this way

    recite and hold the Sacrosanct Wonderful Phrases of this Dharani, then the foreign

    enemies will be tamed of themselves, they will return to their own countries and make no

    further disturbance. These countries will be in communication and will have friendly

    relations, the princes and 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 protect this country, the

    rains will be seasonal, the fruits will be abundant, and the people will be happy.”

    “If anyone in a family gets a serious evil disease, or if hundreds of monsters appear, or if

    ghosts, spirits, and demons deplete and demolish the family; or if some villains malign the

    family and plot to harm them; or if 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, recite the name of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva with

    their deep-felt sincere heart, and then recite this Dharani fully 1000 times, then all those

    misfortunes will disappear, the family will be peaceful forever.”

    Ananda asked the Buddha: “Bhagavan, what is the name of this Mantra? How should we

    accept and hold it?”

    The Buddha told Ananda: “This holy Mantra has many names, one of them is Vast,

    Great, Perfect, another is Unimpeded Great Compassion, another is Relieving Sufferings

    Dharani, another is Lengthening Life Dharani, another is Extinguishing Evil Destinies

    Dharani, another is Breaking Evil Karma Hindrances Dharani, another is Wish-Fulfilling

    Dharani, another is The Dharani Of The Freedom In Accord With The Heart, another is

    Quickly Exceeding The Upper Stages Dharani. Thus should you accept and hold it.”

    Then Ananda asked the Buddha: “Bhagavan, what is the name of this Bodhisattva-

    Mahasattva, who is so good to teach us this Dharani?”

    The Buddha said: “This Bodhisattva is called Avalokitesvara, the Unrestricted One, also

    called Nipping a Lariat, also called A Thousand Bright Eyes. Virtuous man, this

    Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has unimaginable mighty and holy powers. Uncountable

    kalpas before, he had already been a Buddha named True Dharma Brightness Tathagata.

    Because of the power of his great compassionate vows, and in order to call upon all

    Bodhisattvas to comfort and please all living beings, he appears as a Bodhisattva. All of

    you, including the Bodhisattvas, Brahmas, Gods of the 33 heavens, dragons, and

    divinities, should show respect to him, do not despise him. All heavenly and human

    beings should constantly make offerings to him and recite his name absorbedly, then they

    will get infinite blessings and eliminate countless sins, and at the end of their lives, they

    will be reborn in the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha.”

    The Buddha told Ananda: “This holy Mantra spoken by Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is

    true, real, and not false. If you wish to invite this Bodhisattva to come, recite the Mantra

    21 times towards a Guggula Incense and burn it, then this Bodhisattva will come.”

    “If being possessed by a soul of cat, find a dead cat’s skull, burn it to ashes, mix the ashes

    with clean soil, and then use them to shape a cat. In front of a statue of Thousand-Handed

    and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, recite the Dharani 108 times towards a

    wrought iron knife, and then cut the model into 108 pieces with the knife. Recite once, cut

    once, and say his name once, then the cat’s soul will leave and never return.”

    “If harmed by mediumistic insects(Gu), mix Karpura(Dragon Brain Incense) with a same

    bulk of Guggula Incense, add 1 bowl of Well-flower-water and decoct them into 1 bowl of

    decoction; when done, recite the Dharani 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.”

     

    “If bitten by fierce snakes or scorpions, recite the Dharani 7 times towards some powder

    of dry gingers, apply the powder on the bite and they will be healed.”

    “If someone plots to harm you because of hatred and resentment, you should 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, recite the Dharani 108 times

    towards a wrought iron knife, then cut the model into 108 pieces with the knife. Recite

    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.”

    “If you have the eye-diseases of dimmed vision or blindness, or if your eyes are covered

    by a white haze or a red film, you should find a Haritaki fruit, an Amala fruit, and a

    Vihetaki fruit, and grind them into powder. During the grinding, you must guard their

    purity: do not be seen by women who have just given birth, or by pigs or dogs, and you

    should keep reciting a Buddha’s name, 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, recite the Dharani 1008 times towards the medicine, then

    apply it on the sick eyes for fully 7 days, stay in a quite room and do not be exposed to

    wind, then the eyes will recover, the white haze and red film will disappear, and the

    eyesight will be very clear.”

    “If you are afflicted by recurrent fevers, recite the Dharani 21 times towards the skin of a

    tiger, panther, or a wolf, place the skin on your body and the fever will be healed. The

    skin of a lion is best.”

    “If someone is bitten by a snake, get some earwax of that person, recite the Dharani 21

    times towards the earwax, apply them on his sore, then it will be healed.”

    “If an evil fever enters your heart, and it is so oppressive that makes you even wish to

    die, in this case, you should find a peach-glue as big as a normal peach, add 1 bowl of

    clean water and decoct them into a half bowl of decoction. When done, recite the Dharani

    7 times towards the decoction, take them all, than the disease will be healed. The medicine

    should not be decocted by a woman.”

    “If you are possessed by a ghost, recite the Dharani 21 times towards a Guggula incense

    and burn it to fume the nostrils, further, make 7 pills of Guggula each as big as a rabbit

    dung, recite the Dharani 21 times towards them and take them, then you will be cured. Be

    careful: do not drink alcohol, do not eat meat or the five-pungencies, and do not abuse

    others. If you find some Manahsila (realgar), mix it with white mustard seeds and

    YanSheng-salt, then recite the Dharani 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, recite the Dharani towards some sesame oil and drop the oil into ears, then

    the disease will be healed.”

    “If someone is suffering from hemiplegias, his nose is blocked and his hands and feet

    cannot move because of apoplexy, you should mix some sesame oil with Green-woodspice

    and decoct them, recite the Dharani 21 times towards the mixture, and rub it on the

    body, then the diseases will forever be healed. Another prescription: recite the Dharani 21

    times towards some pure cow ghee, and rub it on the body, then the diseases will also be

    healed.”

    “For dystocias, recite the Dharani 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 dies in a pregnant woman’s womb, find one large Lerng(*) of hyssops, mix it

    with 2 bowls of clean water, and decoct them into 1 bowl of decoction. Recite the Dharani

    21 times towards the decoction and let the woman take it, then the dead baby will come

    out, and the woman will not be in pain. If the placenta does not come out, let her take this

    medicine again and it will be fine.”

    “If you have a disease that your heart is often attacked by an unbearable pain, this is

    called Hidden Corpse Disease. Find a Fume-Land Incense with mature nipples, recite the

    Dharani 21 times towards it, chew and swallow it – no matter more or less. After some

    time, it will cause vomiting or diarrhoea, then the disease will be healed. Do not eat any of

    the five-pungencies, do not eat meat, and do not drink alcohol.”

    “If burned by a fire, recite the Dharani 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, recite the Dharani 21 times towards a half

    bowl of urine of a white horse 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 come out like a linked

    rope.”

    “For a Nail-sore, find some Ling-Sil-leaves, grind them and get the juice, recite the Dharani

    21 times towards the juice, apply the juice to the sore, pull the sore out by the root and it

    will be healed immediately.”

    “If one’s eyes were bitten by flies, find some new dung of donkey, filter it and get the

    liquid, recite the Dharani 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, recite the

    Dharani 21 times towards them, take half a bowl of the medicine, then the disease will be

    healed.”

    “For red-eyed diseases, or neoplasms in eyes, or cataracts, find some leaves of Chinesewolfberry

    (Gau-Gey), grind them and get their juice, recite the Dharani 21 times towards

    the juice, soak a bronze copper coin in the juice overnight, recite the Dharani towards it 7

    more times, drop the juice into the eyes, then the disease will be healed.”

    “If someone is afraid and not peaceful at night, and he may even be frightened when

    entering or leaving a house, he should make a rope with white threads, recite the Dharani

    21 times towards it, tie it into 21 knots, and wear it on his neck, then the fear will

    disappear. Not only will his fear disappear, his sins will also be eliminated.”

    “If some unexpected calamities come to your household, find a guava branch, cut it into

    1008 segments, smear some ghee and honey on both ends of them, recite the Dharani once

    and burn one segment, burn up all 1008 segments in this way, then all calamities will

    disappear. This must be done in front of a Buddha.”

    “If you recite the Dharani 21 times towards a white flagleaf and tie it to your right arm,

    you will always win others in all fighting places and debating places.”

    “If you find some leaves and branches of Sami(*), cut them into 1008 segments, smear

    some true-cow-ghee and white-honey-cow-ghee on both ends of them, recite the Dharani

    once towards each segment and burn it, and burn up all 1008 segments in this way. Do

    this 3 times each day, 1008 times each time, for 7 days, then you, as a Mantra-master,

    will realize the Through-Wisdom of yourself.”

    “If you wish to tame powerful ghosts or spirits, find some Wood-Wan-Tzee, recite the

    Dharani 49 times towards them, smear some ghee and honey on them, and burn them up.

    This must be done in front of a statue of Great Compassionate Avalokitesvara

    Bodhisattva.”

    “If you put 1 large Lerng of bezoar(Cow yellow) into a lapis-lazuli bottle, then put the

    bottle in front of a statue of Great Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, recite the

    Dharani 108 times toward it, apply the bezoar on your body and dot it on your forehead,

    then all gods, dragons, ghosts, spirits, human and non-human beings will be pleased.”

    “If being chained and locked, find some dung of white pigeons, recite the Dharani 108

    times towards them, smear them on your hands and rub the chains and locks, then the

    chains and locks will open of themselves.”

    “If a husband and wife have a disharmonious relationship and their situation is like that of

    water and fire, find some feathers of the tail of mandarin ducks, in front of a statue of

    Great Compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, recite the Dharani 1008 times towards

    the feathers and let the couple wear them, then the couple will be delightful, and will love

    and respect each other unto the end of their lives.”

    “If the seeds and fruits in your farm are being eaten by insects, find some clean ashes, or

    clean sands, or clean water, recite the Dharani 21 times towards them, sprinkle them

    around the farm and the seedlings, then the insects will quit. If you sprinkle some

    Mantra-water on the fruit trees, the insects will not dare to eat the fruits.”

    The Buddha told Ananda: ”

    For richness, treasures, or various valuables and necessities, use the Wish-Fulfilling Pearl

    Mudra(gesture).

    For seeking stable life in various unstable situations, use the Pasa(lasso / lariat) Mudra.

    For various diseases in abdomen, 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 deities, use the Vajra Mudra.

    For taming all enemies, use the Vajra Pestle Mudra.

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

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

    If one has a disease caused by the poison of heat and seeks for refreshing coolness, he

    should use the Moon-Quintessence Mani Mudra.

    For high positions and promotions, use the Precious Bow Mudra.

    For meeting all virtuous friends as soon as possible, use the Precious Arrow Mudra.

    For healing various diseases on one’s body, use the Willow Branch Mudra.

    For eliminating evil obstacles and misfortunes of one’s body, use the White Whisk Mudra.

    For good harmony among all relatives, use the Precious Vase Mudra.

    For evading all tigers, wolves, jackals, panthers, and other fierce beasts, use the Shield

    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 Blue 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 Way(Tao) of immortals, 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 the Buddhas of the ten directions coming to receive you 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 eloquent, clever, and wonderful speech (mouth karma), use the Precious

    Seal Mudra.

    To be constantly guarded by virtuous gods and dragon kings, use the Kusinagara Iron

    Hook Mudra.

    For mercifully sheltering and protecting all living beings, use the Tin Staff Mudra.

    For making all living beings always 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 the palaces of Buddhas for all lifetimes, and never be born from a

    womb, use the Nirmana-Palace Mudra.

    For eruditeness, use the Precious Sutra Mudra.

    If you wish that from your current incarnation(lifetime) to the incarnation that you are a

    Buddha, you will never retrogress from or lose the Bodhi-Heart, use the Nonretrogression

    Gold Wheel Mudra.

    If you wish that the Buddhas of the ten directions will come quickly to rub your summit

    and award you the mark of future Buddhahood, use the Summit Nirmana Buddha Mudra.

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

    There are thousands of such requesting Mudras, now I have just briefly said some of

    them.”

    Sunlight Bodhisattva then spoke a great holy Mantra for those who accept and hold the

    Great Compassionate Heart Dharani to protect them:

    “Namo Buddha Kunami, Namo Dharma Mahadi, Namo Sangha Tayeni, DhriBhuBhi

    Sattva Yam Namo”

    “This Mantra can extinguish all sins, and can evade demons and natural disasters. If one

    can recite the Dharani once and bow to the Buddhas once, 3 times daily, recite the

    Dharani and bow to the Buddhas, then in his next lifetime, he will gain the delightful fruitrepayment

    that all of his facial features are handsome.”

    Moonlight Bodhisattva also spoke a Dharani to protect practitioners:

    “Sumdhidi Tusuza Ahjamidi Uduza SumKiza Bolaidi Yemijaza Uduza Kuladiza Kimoza

    Svaha”

    “Recite this Mantra five times, making a Mantra-Rope with five colored threads, and

    wear it on where it is sore. This Mantra had been spoken by the previous 40 Gangesriver-

    sands Buddhas, now I also speak it, for supporting all practitioners, for eliminating

    all obstacles and calamities, for healing all serious diseases and 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 greatly benefit all living beings of the Three

    Realms of Transmigrations, all living beings suffering from diseases can use this Dharani

    to heal their diseases. Even a withered tree can grow new branches, flowers and fruits

    when someone recites this great holy Dharani towards it. Thus, it is impossible that any

    diseases of sentient and conscious beings cannot be healed by this Dharani.”

    “Virtuous man, the mighty and sacrosanct power of this Dharani is unimaginable, is

    unimaginable, and one will never be able to fully praise it. If one has not extensively

    planted virtuous roots since the long distant past, he is not able to hear even the name of

    this Dharani, much less that he could see it. All of you in this congregation — the gods,

    human beings, dragons, spirits, should accordingly rejoice when hearing my praise.

    Slandering this Dharani is equal to slandering those 9.9 billion Ganges-river-sands

    Buddhas.

    If anyone doubts, or disbelieves this Dharani, we should know that he loses great benefits

    forever. For billions of kalpas, he will constantly fall into the evil categories (of hell

    beings, hungry ghosts, and animals) and unable to escape; he will always be unable to see

    the Buddhas, unable to hear the Dharmas, and unable to see the Sanghas.”

    After hearing the Buddha praise this Dharani, the whole congregation — the Bodhisattva-

    Mahasattvas, Vajra Secret-Traces Divinities, Brahmas, Sakra, gods, the four heavenly

    kings, dragons, ghosts, and spirits, were all delighted, they accepted the teaching

    respectfully and started practicing it.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    Lee Kane

    Author | Buddha Weekly

    Lee Kane is the editor of Buddha Weekly, since 2007. His main focuses as a writer are mindfulness techniques, meditation, Dharma and Sutra commentaries, Buddhist practices, international perspectives and traditions, Vajrayana, Mahayana, Zen. He also covers various events.
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