Sutra on the
merits and original vows of Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light
In
abbreviation, Also Known as
Sutra of Medicine Guru Buddha
Under Imperial
Order of Tang Dynasty
Translated into Chinese by
Tripitaka Dharma Master
Xuan Zang
Translated from Chinese into English By Dr. Yutang Lin
Thus
Have I heard:
Once Bhagavan (Shakyamuni Buddha) roamed through countries to
give teachings and came to stay beneath the tree Musical Sounds in the city of
Extensive Grandeur. He was accompanied by eight thousand great Bhikshus, thirty-six
thousand great Bodhisattvas, together with kings, high officials, Brahmans, householders,
heavenly beings, dragons, yakshas, humans, non-humans, etc., who formed an immeasurable
assembly that respectfully surrounded Buddha to listen to his preaching of Dharma.
At
that time Dharma Prince Manjusri through the awesome power of Buddha rose up from
his seat, exposed his right shoulder as a gesture of respect, and knelt on his
right knee. Toward Bhagavan he bowed with folded palms and said, "World Honored
One, I wish that you would expound the names and epithets of various kinds of
Buddhas and their original vows and extraordinary merits so that beings upon hearing
them would be free from karmic hindrances. The intention is to benefit sentient
beings at the later time when only a semblance of Dharma will be available."
Then
World Honored One praised Boy Manjusri by saying: "Good! Good! Manjusri,
out of compassion you have begged me to expound the names, epithets, original
vows and merits of various Buddhas in order to rescue sentient beings entangled
by karmic hindrances and to benefit sentient beings at the period of the spreading
of semblance of Dharma with peace and happiness. Now you should listen attentively
and ponder extremely well, and I will explain them to you." Manjusri said,
"Yes, please tell us. We would rejoice to hear about them."
Buddha
told Manjusri: "In the East, passing Buddha lands as numerous as the number
of sands in ten Ganges rivers there is a world named 'Pure Lapis Lazuli.' The
Buddha there has the epithets: Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli
Light, Arhat, Rightly and Fully Enlightened One, Omniscient Wisdom One, Well-gone
One, Knower of Worlds, Unsurpassable One, Cultivator of Men, Teacher of Heavenly
Beings and Humans, Buddha, Bhagavan. Manjusri, that World Honored One, Tathágata
Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, when he originally was practicing the Bodhisattva
path, developed twelve great vows so that all sentient beings would obtain whatever
they wished for.
The first great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable
complete Enlightenment may my body be glowingly bright to shine upon immeasurable
countless boundless worlds, and be adorned with the thirty-two marks of a great
man and the eighty ensuing refined features. I shall cause all beings to come
to resemble me without differences.
The second great vow: In the future when
I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may my body be like Lapis
Lazuli, transparent throughout and pure without blemish, with extensive brightness
and majestic merits, well at ease, and adorned with aureole brighter than sun
and moon. Sentient beings in hell would all then be taught the right path. I would
engage in all kinds of salvation activities as my intention moves along.
The
third great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment
may I employ countless boundless skillful means of wisdom to render all beings
in possession of inexhaustible things of comfort and not to let sentient beings
suffer for want of anything.
The fourth great vow: In the future when I shall
attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may I settle well all those who practice
the heterodox ways onto the Bodhi path, and establish securely those who practice
Sravaka yana or Pratyekabuddha-yana in Mahayana.
The fifth great vow: In the
future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may the countless
boundless sentient beings who would cultivate pure conduct in accordance with
my teachings all attain no breach of sílas and fulfill the three cumulative
sílas. If they fail to comply or violate sílas, upon hearing my
name, they will regain purity and not fall into bad realms.
The sixth great
vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may
those sentient beings who are physically inferior with incomplete senses, and
are suffering from being ugly, retarded, blind, deaf, mute, victim of convulsion,
crippled, humpbacked, leprous, lunatic, or sick with various diseases, upon hearing
my name, all attain proper features, become smart, with all senses wholesome and
without any illness.
The seventh great vow: In the future when I shall attain
unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may those sentient beings who are tormented
by diseases but with neither help nor refuge, neither medical treatment nor medication,
neither relatives nor family, yet in poverty with much hardship, upon hearing
my name, all become free from diseases, attain peace and joy of body and mind,
have abundance of family and possessions, and even attain unsurpassable complete
Enlightenment. (Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi)
The eighth great vow: In the future
when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may those women who are
tormented by hundreds of sufferings of the female sex, and are extremely weary
to the extent of wishing to give up their female bodies, upon hearing my name,
all transform into men with proper male features, and even attain unsurpassable
complete Enlightenment.
The ninth great vow: In the future when I shall attain
unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may I help all sentient beings escape the
nets of evil and become free from the entanglements of heterodox ways. If they
are trapped in all sorts of dense forests of perverse views, I will induce and
introduce them to right views, gradually lead them to practice the Bodhisattva
ways, and help them soon attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment.
The tenth
great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment
may those sentient beings who are condemned by royal laws to be bound by ropes,
lashed by whips, enchained in prisons, or executed, and are tormented by numerous
other disasters and insults so that they are afflicted by sorrow and anguish,
and are suffering in both body and mind, upon hearing my name, through the majestic
supernatural power of my merits and virtue, all become free from sorrows and sufferings.
The
eleventh great vow: In the future when I shall attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment
may those sentient beings who are tormented by hunger and thirst, and, in order
to obtain food, have committed all sorts of evil karma have the opportunity to
hear my name and will then continue to repeat my name whole-heartedly. Then I
shall first satisfy their physical needs with most wondrous foods and drinks,
and afterwards provide them with the flavors of Dharma so as to establish them
in ultimate peace and joy.
The twelfth great vow: In the future when I shall
attain unsurpassable complete Enlightenment may those sentient beings who are
poor without clothing, tormented day and night by mosquitoes, wasps, cold and
heat, upon hearing my name continue to repeat it whole-heartedly, and then they
will obtain all sorts of most wondrous clothing just as they prefer. They will
also obtain all kinds of jewel ornaments, floral garlands, perfumes, drums and
music, and dancers; whatever their hearts desire will all be satisfied.
Manjusri,
these are the twelve wondrous supreme vows pledged by that World Honored One,
Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, Rightly and Fully Enlightened
One, in the course of practicing the Bodhisattva path."
"Furthermore,
Manjusri, all the great vows as pledged by that World Honored One, Tathágata
Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, while he was practicing the Bodhisattva
path, and all the meritorious grandeur of his Buddha land could not be exhausted
if I continued to enumerate them for the duration of one kalpa or over one kalpa.
However, his Buddha land remains pure, without women. There are no bad realms,
nor sounds of suffering. Its ground is made of lapis lazuli, with gold ropes marking
the roads. Its cities, palaces, windows and ornamental nets are all made of seven
kinds of jewels. It is similar to the Utmost Joy World in the west, with equal
meritorious grandeur such that they are indistinguishable. In his country there
are two great Bodhisattvas: one is named 'Sunlight Everywhere'; the other is named
'Moonlight Everywhere.' They are leaders of the assembly of immeasurable innumerable
Bodhisattvas there, next in line to attaining Buddhahood, and completely capable
of upholding the treasure of correct teachings of that World Honored One, Tathágata
Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light. Therefore, Manjusri, all good men and good
women with faith should aspire to be born in the world of that Buddha."
Then
the World Honored One again told Boy Manjusri, "Manjusri, some sentient beings
are incapable of distinguishing good from bad. They maintain only greed and miserliness,
without knowing almsgiving and the consequences thereof. They are ignorant, without
wisdom and lack the root of faith. They accumulate much wealth and treasures,
and diligently guard those possessions. When they see beggars coming, displeasure
arises in their hearts. If they were obliged to make a donation, then they would
feel deep pain of reluctance as if their flesh were being ripped off. In addition,
there are immeasurable stingy and greedy sentient beings that are accumulating
resources and wealth, but they would not partake of those even for themselves,
not to mention for their fathers, mothers, wives, children, servants, workers
or visiting beggars.
All such sentient beings, upon end of their lives in
this world, would be born in the realm of hungry ghosts or animals. Had they the
opportunity during their human lives to have briefly heard the name of Tathágata
Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, then by this cause they would briefly recall
the name of that Tathágata while they are now in the bad realms. Right
at the moment of such a thought they would pass away from that realm and gain
rebirth among humans. They would then remember their past lives, become afraid
of suffering in bad realms, and no longer enjoy sensuous pleasures. They would
like to practice almsgiving and praise other almsgivers. They are neither greedy
over nor attached to any of their possessions. Gradually they would become able
to give their heads, eyes, hands, feet, blood, flesh and bodily parts to those
that come to ask for them, not to mention the rest of their wealth and properties."
"Furthermore,
Manjusri, some sentient beings, even though they had received from the Tathágata
teachings on what to practice, still broke sílas. Some even though they
had not broken sílas, broke established rules. Some even though they had
not broken sílas or established rules, damaged right views. Some even though
they had not damaged right views, gave up learning more teachings; consequently
they could not comprehend the profound significance of Sutras as spoken by the
Buddha. Some even though they learned many teachings sustained unsubstantiated
pride of superiority, and since their minds were covered by unsubstantiated pride
of superiority, they were self-righteous, critical of others, suspicious or slanderous
of correct Dharma, and became companions to devils.
Foolish people like these
are practicing devious views themselves, and in addition causing immeasurable
billions of sentient beings to fall into pits of great suffering. These sentient
beings should be transmigrating endlessly in realms of hells, animals and ghosts.
If they had the opportunity to hear the name of this Tathágata Medicine
Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, then they would renounce wicked activities, cultivate
good practices, and not fall into bad realms.
If some fell into bad realms
because they were incapable of renouncing wicked activities and cultivating good
practices, by the awesome power of that Tathágata's original vows they
would have the opportunity to hear briefly that Tathágata's epithets. Then
they would end their lives there and be reborn as humans. They would obtain right
views, be diligent and good at tuning their intention and inclinations.
Thus
they would be able to renounce family life and lean toward non-family life (becoming
a monastic student). They would receive and uphold practices according to the
teachings of the Tathágata without incurring damage or violations of moral
principles. They would have right views, learn many teachings, understand the
very profound significance of teachings, abstain from unsubstantiated pride of
superiority, not disparage right teachings, and not become companions of devils.
They would gradually cultivate all Bodhisattva practices and soon attain fulfillment."
"Furthermore,
Manjusri, if some sentient beings were stingy, greedy, envious, self-praising
and disparaging others, then they should fall into three bad realms to experience
all sorts of tremendous sufferings for immeasurable thousands of years. Having
gone through tremendous sufferings they would end their lives there and be reborn
as cows, horses, camels, donkeys in human society, and constantly be tormented
by whipping, beating, hunger and thirst. Furthermore, they would often carry heavy
loads to walk along roads. Or they might be reborn as humans but live at the bottom
of the society, working as servants to others, being ordered around to do hard
labor, constantly without ease.
If in their past lives as humans they had
heard the epithets of World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis
Lazuli Light, then by this good cause now they would recall again the epithets
and wholeheartedly take refuge in him. Then by the supernatural power of Buddha
they would be relieved from all sufferings. Their senses would be sharp and sensitive.
They would be wise and would learn many teachings. They would constantly seek
superior teachings, often encounter good friends, and forever sever connection
with devils. They would break the shell of ignorance, dry up the river of sorrows,
and become liberated from all worries and sorrows that are associated with birth,
senility, sickness and death."
"Furthermore, Manjusri, if some sentient
beings were inclined to devious antagonism, and furthermore engaged in fighting
or lawsuits that bring sorrows and confusion to themselves and others, then they
have committed, accumulated and cultivated all sorts of bad karmas by their physical,
verbal and mental activities. They would constantly do unbeneficial things to
plot havoc against one another. They would call upon the gods of mountains, forests,
trees or tombs, and kill all kinds of sentient beings to get blood and flesh for
making offerings to yakshas, rakshasas, and the like.
They would make a statue
of their enemy and write the enemy's name on it, and then curse it with evil charms.
They would employ sorcery, toxic substances, or call forth ghosts from corpses
by magic spells so as to cut short their enemy's life short or damage their enemy's
body. These sentient beings, if they had the opportunity to hear the epithets
of this Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, would be free
from harms incurred by all those evil practices. At every turn merciful mind would
arise in all of them. They would intend to benefit and bring peace and happiness
to others, with neither harmful intentions nor feelings of discontent. Each and
every one would rejoice and take delight in being content with what they receive
in life. They would not afflict one another but instead would bring benefit to
one another."
"Furthermore, Manjusri, if there were members of the
four assemblies of Bhikshus, Bhiksunis, Upasakas and Upasikas, and other good
men and good women with pure faith, who could receive and maintain the eight-branch
rules of fasting and austerity for the duration of one year or one year and three
months, and engage in observance of the practices as taught by the Buddha, with
this root of goodness they would aspire to be reborn in the western Utmost Joy
World of Immeasurable Longevity Buddha in order to listen to the correct teachings
there. Yet the outcome of their spiritual development was still unsure. If they
heard the epithet of World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis
Lazuli Light, then at the end of their lives there would be eight great Bodhisattvas
who would come by supernatural powers to indicate the path to them. The eight
great Bodhisattvas are called, Bodhisattva Manjusri, Bodhisattva Observing Worldly
Sounds, Bodhisattva Great Influence Achieved, Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intent,
Bodhisattva Precious Sandalwood Flower, Bodhisattva Medicine King, Bodhisattva
Medicine Supreme, and Bodhisattva Maitreya. Then they would naturally and miraculously
be born in that world inside all sorts of flowers made of variegated jewels of
various kinds. Some would thereby be born in a heaven realm. Even though they
gained rebirth in some heaven that still would not have exhausted their original
root of goodness, and they would never be reborn into the bad realms again. When
their longevities in heaven were exhausted they would be reborn as humans. Some
would become wheel-turning kings in charge of four continents, at ease with awe-inspiring
character and virtues, and settle immeasurable hundreds of thousands of sentient
beings on the path of cultivation of ten virtues. Or be born in important families
of Ksatriya or Brahman householders, with abundance of wealth and treasures, and
full or overflowing warehouses, possessing proper figure and features, with complete
family members, sharp and wise, brave and healthy, vigorous and powerful as a
mighty man. In the case of women, if they had heard the epithet of World Honored
One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, and maintained it
with all their hearts, then later they would never again receive a female body."
"Furthermore,
Manjusri, when that Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light attained
Bodhi, through the power of his original vows he observed that sentient beings
were suffering from all kinds of diseases such as weight-loss, convulsion, dryness,
shrinking, jaundice, and fever, or were tormented by sorcery or toxic substances,
or had their lives cut short, or sometimes encountered tragic and unexpected deaths.
He wanted to render all such disease and suffering extinct, and also wanted all
wishes to be fulfilled.
Then that World Honored One entered the Samádhi
called 'Eradicating Suffering and Sorrow of all Sentient Beings.' After he had
entered the Samádhi, great brightness issued forth from Usnisa at the top
of his head, and in this brightness he pronounced the great Dharani by saying:
Na
Mo Bo Qie Fa Di, Bei Sha She Ju Lu, Bi Liu Li, Bo La Po, He Luo She Ye, Da Tuo
Jie Duo Ye, A Luo He Di, San Miao San Bo Tuo Ye, Da Zhi Ta, An, Bei Sha Shi, Bei
Sha Shi, Bei Sha She, San Mo Jie Di, Suo He.
(Translator's note: The Dharani
is written in Pin Yin.)
When the mantra was thus spoken in the light the earth
trembled and emitted huge brightness. All sentient beings were rid of sickness
and suffering, and attained the happiness of peace and stability. Manjusri, if
one encountered men or women with sickness, one should wholeheartedly clean, rinse
and bath those patients regularly, and provide them with food, medicine or insect-free
water that has been blessed with one hundred and eight repetitions of this mantra,
all of their sickness and suffering would then be extinguished. If one sustained
some wishes and wholeheartedly repeated this mantra, then all wishes would come
true. One would be free from sicknesses and live longer, and after one's life
has ended one would be reborn in his world and attain no-regress on the path until
achieving Bodhi.
Therefore, Manjusri, if there were men or women that wholeheartedly
and solemnly paid respect and made offerings to that Tathágata Medicine
Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, they should constantly recite this mantra so that
they would not give it up or forget about it."
"Furthermore, Manjusri,
if men and women of pure faith had the opportunity to have heard all epithets
of Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, Arhat, Rightly and
Fully Enlightened One they would maintain them by recitations. In the morning
they chew tooth-wood, rinse and bathe to clean themselves, and offer fragrant
flowers, burning incenses, perfumes, all kinds of dances and music to images and
statues of this Buddha.
As to this sutra, they have either copied it by themselves
or ordered others to do so; they sustained it wholeheartedly and listened to the
teachings on its significance. As regards Dharma teachers who provided such explanations
they should practice making offerings to sustain them; all things related to their
sustenance should be offered as gifts to them so as not to let them be in want
or scarcity of something. Thus they would be protected and cared for by all Buddhas,
and the wishes they sought after would be fulfilled, even up to their attainment
of Bodhi."
Then Boy Manjusri told the Buddha, "World Honored One,
I should vow that during the period of the spreading of semblance of the Dharma
I will use all sorts of skillful means so that good men and good women with pure
faith will hear the epithet of the World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine
Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, even to enlighten their ears by this Buddha's name
during their sleep.
World Honored One, if one sustained this sutra through
recitation and reading, or furthermore expounded its significance and revealed
its essence to others, if one copied it by oneself or ordered others to copy it,
and respectfully and reverently made offerings of all sorts of floral fragrance,
perfumes, powdered incenses, burning incenses, floral garlands, jeweled necklaces,
banners, canopies, dances and music to it, and if one made a bag of five-color
silk to contain it, and swept and sprinkled to clean up a spot, then set up a
high throne there for the sutra to be well placed, then the Four Great Heavenly
Kings together with their retinues and the remaining immeasurable hundreds of
thousands of heavenly beings would all arrive there to make offerings to it and
to guard it.
World Honored One, if where this treasure of a sutra were in
circulation, there were people that could receive and sustain it, then by the
merits and the original vows of that World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine
Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, and hearing of his epithets, one should know that
there would be no more tragic and accidental deaths, nor would people there be
robbed of their essential air anymore by evil ghosts or deities. If some had been
robbed of their essential air, they would recover from such losses and retain
peace and enjoyment of both body and mind."
Buddha told Manjusri, "Thus
is the case; thus is the case. It is just as you said. Manjusri, if there were
good men or good women with pure faith that would like to make offerings to that
World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, they
should first of all have that Buddha's image or statue made, and set up a clean
throne to secure it there. Scatter all sorts of flowers around it, and burn all
kinds of incenses. Adorn its seat with all kinds of banners and flags. Receive
and maintain the eight-branch rules of fasting and austerity for the duration
of seven days and seven nights. Eat pure foods, bath to become clean and fragrant,
and wear clean new clothing.
Good men and women should develop stainless,
anger-less and a harmless mind. To all sentient beings let there arise the mind
of benefiting, peace and happiness, mercy, compassion, joy, renunciation and equality.
Play drums and music, and sing praises while circumambulating clockwise around
the image of the Buddha. Furthermore, one should recall the merits and original
vows of that Tathágata, read and recite this sutra, ponder on its significance,
and expound it to people so as to reveal its essence.
Then whatever one would
like to attain will all be realized. Those wishing for longevity will attain longevity;
those wishing for wealth and abundance will attain wealth and abundance; those
wishing for official positions will attain official positions; those wishing for
son or daughter will obtain a son or daughter.
If there were someone that
suddenly started having bad dreams, saw various bad signs, noticed strange birds
came to gather around, or had all kinds of strange phenomena occurred at his residence,
you should know that if this person respectfully offered all kinds of wondrous
items of sustenance to that World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru
with Lapis Lazuli Light, then bad dreams, bad signs and all un-auspicious phenomena
would disappear and could not cause any harm.
Or if there were undue fright
of water, fire, knife, poison, impending danger, violent elephants, lions, tigers,
wolfs, bears, venomous snakes, venomous scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, mosquitoes,
horse fly's, etc., and if one could wholeheartedly recall that Buddha and respectfully
make offerings, then all such fears would be relieved. If a foreign country invaded
or robbers and thieves revolted, those who recalled and showed respect to that
Tathágata would all be relieved of such dangers!"
"Furthermore,
Manjusri, if there were good men or good women with pure faith, they should, for
the rest of their lives, attend to no other deities, but wholeheartedly take refuge
in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, as well as observe the sílas of abstention.
If among the five sílas, ten sílas, four hundred sílas of
Bodhisattvas, two hundred fifty sílas of Bhikshus, or five hundred sílas
of Bhiksunis that one had received some were violated and one were in fear of
falling into bad realms, then those who could repeat solely that Buddha's epithets
and respectfully make offerings would definitely not be born into the three bad
realms.
Or if some women were experiencing tremendous suffering during pregnancy
or childbirth, and they could wholeheartedly repeat the name of that Tathágata,
salute, praise, and respectfully make offerings to him, then all such sufferings
would be relieved. Children thus born would possess complete faculties, proper
shapes and colors, be liked by whoever sees them, be sharp, understanding and
responsive, peaceful and stable, seldom get sick, and be without non-humans that
would rob their essential air."
Then World Honored One told Ánanda,
"As I declared and praised all the merits of that World Honored One, Tathágata
Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, since this belonged to the sphere of very
profound activities of the Buddhas and was difficult to comprehend, did you believe
it or not?" Ánanda replied, "Great Virtuous One, World Honored
One, to sutras spoken by the Tathágata I had no doubt arising. Why was
it so? The physical, verbal and mental activities of all Tathágatas are
without impurities.
World Honored One, sun and moon could be made to fall
down, Mount Sumeru could be toppled or moved, and yet what the Buddhas said would
not vary. World Honored One, some sentient beings lacked the root of faith, upon
hearing about the sphere of very profound activities of the Buddhas, they would
think thus: how could all those merits and superior benefits be obtained by simply
repeating the epithets of one Buddha, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis
Lazuli Light?
Due to this disbelief, in reaction there arose slander. They
would lose great advantage and happiness in the extensive night of ignorance,
fall into various bad realms, and transmigrate endlessly." Buddha told Ánanda,
"These sentient beings, if they heard the epithets of the World Honored One,
Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, and wholeheartedly maintained
repetition thereof without any doubt arising, then it could not be the case that
they would fall into the bad realms.
Ánanda, this belonged to very
profound activities of Buddhas and was difficult to believe or comprehend. Now
you could receive it; you should know that it was all due to the awesome power
of the Tathágata.
Ánanda, all Sravakas, Pratyekabuddhas, and
Bodhisattvas that had not attained Bhumis, cannot believe and comprehend it as
truth, except Bodhisattvas that are on the verge of attaining Buddhahood. Ánanda,
a human body is difficult to attain. It is also difficult to attain faith, respect
and reverence with regard to the Triple Gems. It is even more difficult than these
to hear the epithets of World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with
Lapis Lazuli Light.
Ánanda, if the immeasurable Bodhisattva activities,
immeasurable skillful means and immeasurable extensive great vows of that Tathágata
Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light were to be expounded extensively by me for
one kalpa or even over one kalpa, soon the kalpa would be over and yet that Buddha's
activities, vows and skillful means could not be exhausted."
Then among
the assembly there was a great Bodhisattva by the name of "Salvation."
He rose up from his seat, exposed his right shoulder as a gesture of respect,
his right knee to the ground, bowed his body, folded his palms, and said to the
Buddha, "Great Virtuous One, World Honored One, during the period of the
spreading of semblance of the Dharma some sentient beings would be tormented by
all sorts of diseases.
Due to chronic illness they would be weak and thin,
and could not eat or drink. Their throats and lips would be dry, and they would
see darkness everywhere. Signs of impending death would be present, with parents,
relatives, friends and acquaintances surrounding them and crying bitter tears.
Even while their bodies would still lie at the same place, they would see
agents of Yama leading their consciousness to the presence of Judicial King Yama
and know that each sentient being had an accompanying god since birth that would
record whatever that sentient being had done, be it sinful or meritorious.
The
records would all be presented to the Judicial King Yama, and then the King would
question this person, evaluate what had been done, and hand down judgment according
to his sins and merits. At that time if relatives and acquaintances of that patient
could, on his behalf, take refuge in World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine
Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, beseech monks to recite this sutra, light seven-layer
lamps, and hang five-color banner of consciousness for extension of longevity,
then it could happen that his consciousness might return and he would be able
to see the whole process clearly like in a dream.
Or it could take seven days,
twenty-one days, thirty-five days, or forty-nine days for the returning to happen.
When the consciousness would return it would be similar to waking up from a dream
but the person would remember what consequences each good or bad karma would lead
to. Since they had witnessed in person the consequences of karma, even when facing
dangers to their life they would not commit bad karma.
Therefore, all good
men and good women with pure faith should maintain repetition of the epithets
of Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, and respectfully make
offerings as much as they could."
Then Ánanda asked Bodhisattva
Salvation, "Good man, how should one respectfully make offerings to that
World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light? And
how do we construct the banner and lamp for the extension of longevity?"
Bodhisattva Salvation said, "Great Virtuous One, if there were a patient
who would like to relieve suffering of illness, then on that person's behalf one
should receive and maintain the eight-branch rules of fasting and austerity for
the duration of seven days and seven nights.
One should make offerings of
foods, drinks and other sustenance, as much as one could, to Bhikshus. Three times
in daytime and three times in the nighttime one should make prostration and offerings
to that World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light.
One should recite this sutra forty-nine times. One should light forty-nine lamps
as follows: have seven statues of that Tathágata made; in front of each
statue place seven lamps, with each lamp as large as a wheel, and sustain the
brightness for forty-nine days. One should have a five-color silk banner made
that is forty-nine vitasti (the length between extended thumb and middle finger)
long. One should release various kinds of sentient beings to freedom, and the
total number should be up to forty-nine. Thus the patient could overcome the danger,
and not become hostage to those malicious ghosts of various accidental deaths."
"Furthermore,
great virtuous Ánanda, if calamities arose to Ksatriya Initiated Kings,
such as epidemics, invasion by foreign countries, rebellion from within, abnormal
phenomena of astrology, eclipse and waning of sun or moon, out of season winds
and rains, rains overdue, then those Ksatriya Initiated Kings should develop compassionate
mind toward all sentient beings. They should release prisoners from jails, and
make offerings according to the ways of making offerings as stated above to that
World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light.
Due
to this root of goodness and the power of the original vows of that Tathágata,
right then their country would be rendered peaceful and secure, rains and winds
would arrive in season, grains and crops would mature, and all sentient beings
would be free from illnesses and joyful. In their countries there would be no
violent malicious deities such as yakshas that tend to torment sentient beings.
All bad signs would disappear right away.
As to the Ksatriya Initiated Kings,
their longevity, physical strength, freedom from diseases, and ease would all
increase and improve. Great virtuous Ánanda, if queens, imperial concubines,
crown princes, princes, high officials, ministers, palace retainers, government
officials, or ordinary people were tormented by sickness or other disasters, they
should also have five-color banners of consciousness made and set it up, light
lamps and continue their brightness, release various lives, scatter flowers of
variegated colors, and burn all sorts of fine incenses. Thus their illnesses and
all their hardships would be relieved."
Then Ánanda asked Bodhisattva
Salvation, "Good man, how can a life that was ending be extended?" Bodhisattva
Salvation said, "Great Virtuous One, haven't you heard Tathágata said
that there were nine kinds of accidental deaths? Therefore, I recommended people
to have a banner and lamps made for the extension of longevity and to accumulate
various meritorious virtues.
Through accumulation of merits one would live
the entire life without experiencing suffering and calamities." Ánanda
asked, "What are the nine kinds of accidental deaths?" Bodhisattva Salvation
said, "If sentient beings got sick even though only mildly, and yet went
without treatment, medication or a nurse; furthermore suppose that they were given
wrong medication by the doctor they encountered, then, even though they should
not have died, yet they unexpectedly died right away.
In addition, they believed
evil teachers of worldly wicked and heterodox doctrines. Upon hearing those teachers'
arbitrary sayings of fortune and misfortune they became frightened and affected.
Their minds did not adhere to righteousness; instead they looked for misfortune
by asking for divinations. They killed various kinds of sentient beings, and cut
them up as offerings to deities. They called upon various spirits of mountains,
rivers, trees or rocks to beg for blessings of fortune. They desired and expected
to extend their longevity, but eventually they could not get it. Being ignorant
and confused, they believed in erroneous and perverse views. Consequently they
died unexpectedly and entered the hell realm without a date for escape. This is
called the first kind of accidental death.
The second kind of accidental deaths
are those who were abruptly slaughtered by royal decree. The third kind of accidental
deaths are those who engaged in hunting and playing, addicted to promiscuity and
drinking, displayed uninhibited indulgence, and were abruptly robbed of their
essential air by non-humans. The fourth kind of accidental deaths are those who
were abruptly burned by fire. The fifth kind of accidental deaths are those who
were abruptly drowned by water. The sixth kind of accidental deaths are those
who were abruptly bitten by various kinds of fierce animals.
The seventh kind
of accidental deaths are those who accidentally fell off cliffs. The eighth kind
of accidental deaths are those who abruptly fell victim to poisons, malicious
prayers, curses, ghosts called forth from corpses, etc. The ninth kind of accidental
deaths are those who were suffering from hunger and thirst but could not obtain
foods and drinks, and consequently died prematurely. Such were the Tathágata's
brief account of these nine kinds of accidental deaths. Besides them there are,
in addition, immeasurable various kinds of accidental deaths that are difficult
to enumerate fully."
"Furthermore, great virtuous Ánanda,
understand that King Yama is in charge of records of the names of all the people
in the world. If sentient beings had been un-filial, committed the five heinous
sins, damaged or disgraced the Triple Gem, violated rules among sovereigns and
officials, or transgressed faith and sílas, then Judicial King Yama would
ascertain the heaviness or lightness of their sins and punish them accordingly.
Therefore, now I urge sentient beings to light lamps, make banners, release lives
and accumulate merits, so that they would overcome sufferings and dangers and
remain free from all disasters."
Then among the assembly there were twelve
Yaksha Great Generals; all sat together. They were the so-called:
Great
General Gong Pi Luo, Great General Fa Zhe Luo
Great General Mi Qi Luo, Great
General An Di Luo
Great General E Ni Luo, Great General Shan Di Luo
Great
General Yin Da Luo, Great General Bo Yi Luo
Great General Mo Hu Luo, Great
General Zhen Da Luo
Great General Zhao Du Luo, Great General Pi Jie Luo
(Translator's
note: The names are written in Pin Yin.)
These twelve Yaksha Great Generals,
each with an entourage of seven thousand yakshas, simultaneously raised their
voices and said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, now that all of us have
been blessed by the awesome power of the Buddha to have heard the epithets of
World Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, we
will no longer have fear of the bad realms. All of us jointly with one mind take
refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha for the entire rest of our lives.
We
vow to support all sentient beings by providing them with benefits, prosperity,
peace and happiness. In whatever village, city, country, land or unfrequented
forest if there were people who propagated this sutra or, in addition, maintained
repetition of the epithets of Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli
Light and respectfully made offerings, our entourage would guard these people
so that they would be liberated from all sufferings and disasters, and all their
wishes would be fulfilled. Those who are seeking relief from sickness or hardship
should also recite this sutra, and use five-color threads to knit our names. Untie
the knitting only after the wishes have been fulfilled."
Then World Honored
One praised the Yaksha Great Generals by saying, "Good, good, Great Yaksha
Generals, those of you who would like to repay the gracious kindness of World
Honored One, Tathágata Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light, should constantly
benefit, in this manner, all sentient beings by inducing peace and happiness."
Then
Ánanda said to Buddha, "World Honored One, what should this Dharma
gate be named? How do we adhere to it?" Buddha told Ánanda, "This
Dharma gate is named 'Expounding the Merits and Original Vows of Tathágata
Medicine Guru with Lapis Lazuli Light,' also named 'Expounding the Supreme Mantra
of Knitting Wishes to Benefit Sentient Beings by Twelve Supreme Generals,' and
also named 'Eradicating All Karmic Hindrances.' It should be thus adhered to."
When Bhagavan had said these words, all those great Bodhisattvas and great
Sravakas, kings, high officials, Brahmans, householders, heavenly beings, dragons,
yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kimnaras, mahoragas, humans, non-humans,
etc., were extremely joyful to have heard Buddha's words. They all received the
teachings with great faith and practiced accordingly.
Translation completed
on December 21, 2001
El Cerrito, California