Sutta 22: The Dharani Sutra

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

Sutra of Birth, Volume 3

shēng jīng juǎn dì sān

xī jìn sān cáng zhú fǎ hù yì

fú shuō zǒng chí jīng dì èr shí èr

sheng jing juan di san

xi jin san cang zhu fa hu yi

fu shuo zong chi jing di er shi er

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0085c25] Translated by Dharmarakṣa, Tripiṭaka Master of the Western Jin Dynasty

Thus I have heard:

At one time, the World-Honored One was traveling in Magadha (摩竭 [mo jie]), residing peacefully under the Bodhi tree (佛之道樹 [fu zhi dao shu]) where he had first attained enlightenment, accompanied by ten thousand Bodhisattvas (菩薩 [pu sa]). All had achieved the practices of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (普賢菩薩 [pu xian pu sa]), acting without aspirations, their actions complete and without remainder, as well as Vimalakirti Bodhisattva (空無菩薩 [kong wu pu sa]), Padmakara Bodhisattva (蓮花藏菩薩 [lian hua cang pu sa]), Ratnagarbha Bodhisattva (寶藏菩薩 [bao cang pu sa]), Caryagarbha Bodhisattva (行藏菩薩 [xing cang pu sa]), Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva (妙曜菩薩 [miao yao pu sa]), Vajragarbha Bodhisattva (金剛藏菩薩 [jin gang cang pu sa]), Balagarbha Bodhisattva (力士藏菩薩 [li shi cang pu sa]), Vimalagarbha Bodhisattva (無垢藏菩薩 [wu gou cang pu sa]), and Samadhigarba Bodhisattva (調定藏菩薩 [diao ding cang pu sa]), along with ten thousand Bodhisattvas (菩薩 [pu sa]), and three thousand great thousand dust-mote-like Bodhisattvas (菩薩 [pu sa]) from a single Buddha-world (佛世界 [fu shi jie]), each coming from different Buddha-lands (佛國 [fu guo]) to gather here. From all directions they came to transform the lion throne (師子座 [shi zi zuo]), bowed their heads at the Buddha's feet, and sat before the Buddha (佛前 [fu qian]), on lion thrones (師子座 [shi zi zuo]). At that time, these great Bodhisattvas (菩薩大士 [pu sa da shi]), without considering themselves, pure and flawless, each thought to themselves: "What is the reason for this inconceivable phenomenon? The realm of the Buddhas, World-Honored Ones (諸佛世尊 [zhu fu shi zun]), cannot be measured. The original vows of the Buddhas, World-Honored Ones (諸佛世尊 [zhu fu shi zun]), are extraordinary. For what reason are the Buddhas, Tathāgatas (諸佛如來 [zhu fu ru lai]), moved? What are these inconceivable and unhindered actions? How can the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]), without thought or conception, achieve such extraordinary results?"

[0085c25] wén rú shì:

yī shí shì zūn yóu yú mó jié, zài fǎ xián jū fú zhī dào shù chū chéng dào shí, yǔ wàn pú sà jù. yī qiè chéng jiù pǔ xián pú sà, xíng yú wú yuàn, qí xíng wú yú, jí kōng wú pú sà,, lián huā cáng pú sà,, bǎo cáng pú sà,, xíng cáng pú sà,, miào yào pú sà,, jīn gāng cáng pú sà,, lì shì cáng pú sà,, wú gòu cáng pú sà,, diào dìng cáng pú sà, yǔ yī wàn pú sà jù, yǔ yī fú shì jiè sān qiān dà qiān chén shù pú sà jù, gè gè cóng yì fú guó ér lái huì cǐ suǒ. cóng fāng lái huà shī zi zuò, jī shǒu fú zú, zài yú fú qián, zuò shī zi zuò. yú shí cǐ děng pú sà dà shì, bù jì wú wǒ, qīng jìng wú xiá, gè xīn niàn yán: “yú cǐ hé yīn bù kě sī yì? zhū fú shì zūn suǒ yǒu jìng jiè, wú néng chēng liàng. zhū fú shì zūn, běn zhī suǒ yuàn, ér yǒu shū tè. hé yīn zhū fú rú lái gǎn dòng? hé wèi suǒ wèi bù kě sī yì wú guà ài xíng? yún hé shì zūn, wú niàn wú xiǎng, zhì cǐ shū tè?”

[0085c25] wen ru shi:

yi shi shi zun you yu mo jie, zai fa xian ju fu zhi dao shu chu cheng dao shi, yu wan pu sa ju. yi qie cheng jiu pu xian pu sa, xing yu wu yuan, qi xing wu yu, ji kong wu pu sa,, lian hua cang pu sa,, bao cang pu sa,, xing cang pu sa,, miao yao pu sa,, jin gang cang pu sa,, li shi cang pu sa,, wu gou cang pu sa,, diao ding cang pu sa, yu yi wan pu sa ju, yu yi fu shi jie san qian da qian chen shu pu sa ju, ge ge cong yi fu guo er lai hui ci suo. cong fang lai hua shi zi zuo, ji shou fu zu, zai yu fu qian, zuo shi zi zuo. yu shi ci deng pu sa da shi, bu ji wu wo, qing jing wu xia, ge xin nian yan: "yu ci he yin bu ke si yi? zhu fu shi zun suo you jing jie, wu neng cheng liang. zhu fu shi zun, ben zhi suo yuan, er you shu te. he yin zhu fu ru lai gan dong? he wei suo wei bu ke si yi wu gua ai xing? yun he shi zun, wu nian wu xiang, zhi ci shu te?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0086a09] At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) immediately knew the thoughts of these Bodhisattvas (菩薩 [pu sa]), who were sitting where Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]) are not, and yet where Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]) are omnipresent, desiring to question the Tathāgata (如來 [ru lai]). "The majestic power and all-encompassing light of the Buddhas (諸佛威神 [zhu fu wei shen]), the virtuous power of the Buddhas (佛威神德 [fu wei shen de]), their unexcelled diligence, all are established, all enter the Dharani (總持法 [zong chi fa]) of the Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]), and the vast sagely enlightenment (聖覺 [sheng jue]). Their entry is extraordinary, unhindered, and their physical entry is also thus. The retinue of the Buddhas (諸佛眷屬 [zhu fu juan shu]) has abandoned all flaws, and the Dharma (法 [fa]) of the Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]) is unattainable, yet always peaceful."

[0086a09] yú shí shì zūn, xún zhī cǐ děng zhū pú sà xīn zhī suǒ niàn, zhū zuò pú sà zhū fú wú chù yì wú bù zhù, yù wèn rú lái. “zhū fú wēi shén yī qiè guāng míng, fú wēi shén dé, jīng jìn wú yú, ér dé jiē lì, jiē rù zhū fú zhū zǒng chí fǎ, guǎng dà shèng jué. shì děng suǒ rù, shū tè rú cǐ, wú suǒ guà ài, shēn zhī suǒ rù yì jiē rú cǐ. zhū fú juàn shǔ, qì juān zhū xiá, zhū fú zhī fǎ, ér bù kě huò, ér cháng ān yǐn.”

[0086a09] yu shi shi zun, xun zhi ci deng zhu pu sa xin zhi suo nian, zhu zuo pu sa zhu fu wu chu yi wu bu zhu, yu wen ru lai. "zhu fu wei shen yi qie guang ming, fu wei shen de, jing jin wu yu, er de jie li, jie ru zhu fu zhu zong chi fa, guang da sheng jue. shi deng suo ru, shu te ru ci, wu suo gua ai, shen zhi suo ru yi jie ru ci. zhu fu juan shu, qi juan zhu xia, zhu fu zhi fa, er bu ke huo, er chang an yin."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0086a16] At that time, Padmakara Bodhisattva (蓮華藏菩薩 [lian hua cang pu sa]) entered the mind that leads to all Dharmas (諸法 [zhu fa]), unhindered, with no obstacles in the Dharma-gates (法門 [fa men]) he contemplated. The practices of the Bodhisattvas (諸菩薩行為 [zhu pu sa xing wei]) were like the vows of Samantabhadra (普賢願 [pu xian yuan]), gathering equal practices, rightly abiding in vows, entering the Dharma (法 [fa]) of the Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]), seeing the Buddhas (佛 [fu]) of the ten directions, extending great compassion (大哀 [da ai]), crossing over to the endless, subduing sentient beings (眾生 [zhong sheng]), and bringing cessation to evil destinies. All the samadhis (三昧定 [san mei ding]) of the Bodhisattvas (一切菩薩 [yi qie pu sa]) perceived the fundamental reality, and the wisdom (慧 [hui]) of the Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]) had endless activity, none did not submit, all led to the wisdom (道慧 [dao hui]) of the path, all illuminated the Dharani (總持 [zong chi]) and differentiated the Perfections (諸度 [zhu du]) and the Lotus Treasury (蓮花之藏 [lian hua zhi cang]). These Bodhisattvas (諸菩薩 [zhu pu sa]), receiving the sacred command of the Buddha (佛聖旨 [fu sheng zhi]), each spoke, saying: "All Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]) listen fully! The practices of the Buddhas, World-Honored Ones (諸佛世尊 [zhu fu shi zun]), are immeasurable, with great transformations, following their original form, understanding all Dharmas (諸法 [zhu fa]), knowing everything, the Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]) are extraordinarily different, entirely without obscuration. The Buddhas, World-Honored Ones (諸佛世尊 [zhu fu shi zun]), universally reach the Dharma Realm (法界 [fa jie]), enter the Dharma Realm (法界 [fa jie]), the Buddha-worlds (諸佛世界 [zhu fu shi jie]), are without place, without hindrance. What are the ten? Residing in the Tuṣita Heaven (兜術天 [dou shu tian]), they appear to exhaust their lifespan and suddenly vanish, with no one able to restrain them or find their place. They enter their mother's womb and are born after ten months. They abandon home and delight in going forth, their minds always joyful. Sitting under the Bodhi tree (佛樹 [fu shu]), they accumulate all the Dharmas (諸佛之法 [zhu fu zhi fa]) of the Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]). In an instant, throughout all Buddha-lands (諸佛土 [zhu fu tu]), they manifest the auspicious signs (瑞應 [rui ying]) that move the Tathāgata (如來 [ru lai]). They constantly turn the Dharma Wheel (法輪 [fa lun]), planting roots of virtue everywhere, distinguishing and explaining. When they attain Buddhahood (佛時 [fu shi]), they are fully accomplished Bodhisattvas (菩薩 [pu sa]), perfected by the Dharma (法成 [fa cheng]). The Buddhas, World-Honored Ones (諸佛世尊 [zhu fu shi zun]), have no permanent abode, but establish themselves everywhere with wisdom (智慧 [zhi hui]). This is the son of Buddha (佛子 [fu zi]), having no fixed place and no dwelling.

[0086a16] yú shí lián huá cáng pú sà, rù zhū fǎ suǒ qù zhī xīn, wú suǒ guà ài, suǒ niàn fǎ mén wú zhū bì ài. zhū pú sà xíng wèi pǔ xián yuàn, hé jí děng xíng, zhèng zhù yú yuàn, rù zhū fú fǎ, jiàn shí fāng fú, jiā yú dà āi, dù yú wú jí, jiàng fú zhòng shēng, xiū xī è qù. yī qiè pú sà zhū sān mèi dìng, dǔ le běn jì, zhū fú zhī huì, suǒ xíng wú jǐn, mò bù guī fú, qù zhū dào huì, jiē zhào zǒng chí fēn bié zhū dù lián huā zhī cáng. qí zhū pú sà, chéng fú shèng zhǐ, gè zì shuō yán: “zhū fú jǐn tīng! zhū fú shì zūn, suǒ xíng wú liàng, jí dà biàn huà, suí qí běn xiāng, xiǎo le zhū fǎ, yī qiè jiē zhī, zhū fú chāo yì, dōu wú yīn gài. zhū fú shì zūn, pǔ dǎi fǎ jiè, rù yú fǎ jiè, zhū fú shì jiè, yǒu wú chù suǒ, wú suǒ guà ài. hé wèi shí? zài dōu shù tiān, xiàn jǐn shòu mìng hū méi, wú néng jìn zhì yì wú yǒu chù. rù mǔ fù zhōng shí yuè ér shēng. yòu qì juān jiā, ér lè chū wài, xīn cháng xīn yuè. zuò fú shù xià, jī lèi yī qiè zhū fú zhī fǎ. yī shí zhī qǐng, pǔ zhū fú tǔ, shì xiàn rú lái gǎn dòng ruì yīng. cháng zhuǎn fǎ lún, xī zhí dé běn, fēn bié jiě shuō. dāng dé fú shí, jù chéng pú sà, ér yǐ fǎ chéng. zhū fú shì zūn, yǒng wú zhù chù, zài zài zhì huì ér jiàn lì zhī. shì wèi fú zi, wú yǒu chù suǒ, yì wú suǒ zhù.

[0086a16] yu shi lian hua cang pu sa, ru zhu fa suo qu zhi xin, wu suo gua ai, suo nian fa men wu zhu bi ai. zhu pu sa xing wei pu xian yuan, he ji deng xing, zheng zhu yu yuan, ru zhu fu fa, jian shi fang fu, jia yu da ai, du yu wu ji, jiang fu zhong sheng, xiu xi e qu. yi qie pu sa zhu san mei ding, du le ben ji, zhu fu zhi hui, suo xing wu jin, mo bu gui fu, qu zhu dao hui, jie zhao zong chi fen bie zhu du lian hua zhi cang. qi zhu pu sa, cheng fu sheng zhi, ge zi shuo yan: "zhu fu jin ting! zhu fu shi zun, suo xing wu liang, ji da bian hua, sui qi ben xiang, xiao le zhu fa, yi qie jie zhi, zhu fu chao yi, dou wu yin gai. zhu fu shi zun, pu dai fa jie, ru yu fa jie, zhu fu shi jie, you wu chu suo, wu suo gua ai. he wei shi? zai dou shu tian, xian jin shou ming hu mei, wu neng jin zhi yi wu you chu. ru mu fu zhong shi yue er sheng. you qi juan jia, er le chu wai, xin chang xin yue. zuo fu shu xia, ji lei yi qie zhu fu zhi fa. yi shi zhi qing, pu zhu fu tu, shi xian ru lai gan dong rui ying. chang zhuan fa lun, xi zhi de ben, fen bie jie shuo. dang de fu shi, ju cheng pu sa, er yi fa cheng. zhu fu shi zun, yong wu zhu chu, zai zai zhi hui er jian li zhi. shi wei fu zi, wu you chu suo, yi wu suo zhu.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0086b06] "Furthermore, son of Buddha (佛子 [fu zi])! The World-Honored Ones (諸世尊 [zhu shi zun]) have ten teachings. What are the ten? To teach and transform all, to perfect all perfections (諸度無極 [zhu du wu ji]), to eradicate all ignorant Dharmas (諸無智法 [zhu wu zhi fa]), and to constantly cultivate great compassion (大哀 [da ai]). They have ten kinds of power, universally turning the Dharma Wheel (法輪 [fa lun]), teaching and transforming the masses, restraining sentient beings (眾生 [zhong sheng]), achieving perfect enlightenment (平等覺 [ping deng jue]), opening up all sentient beings (萌類 [meng lei]), causing them to have no fixed abode, to take refuge in the Dharma (法 [fa]) of no characteristics, having already attained tranquility and also teaching others to reach nirvana (覺滅度 [jue mie du]) – these are the ten.

[0086b06] “fù cì, fú zi! zhū shì zūn yǒu shí jiào mù. hé děng shí? jiào huà yī qiè, zhū dù wú jí, jiē chú yī qiè zhū wú zhì fǎ, cháng xiū dà āi. yǒu shí zhǒng lì, pǔ zhuǎn fǎ lún,, jiào huà qún lí,, jìn zhì zhòng shēng,, chéng píng děng jué,, kāi tōng méng lèi,, lìng wú suǒ zhù,, yú cǐ wú xíng xiāng fǎ zì guī,, yǐ dé jì rán yì jiào tā rén zhì jué miè dù, shì wèi shí.

[0086b06] "fu ci, fu zi! zhu shi zun you shi jiao mu. he deng shi? jiao hua yi qie, zhu du wu ji, jie chu yi qie zhu wu zhi fa, chang xiu da ai. you shi zhong li, pu zhuan fa lun,, jiao hua qun li,, jin zhi zhong sheng,, cheng ping deng jue,, kai tong meng lei,, ling wu suo zhu,, yu ci wu xing xiang fa zi gui,, yi de ji ran yi jiao ta ren zhi jue mie du, shi wei shi.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0086b11] "Furthermore, son of Buddha (佛子 [fu zi])! There are ten more things to quickly see the Tathāgata (如來 [ru lai]). What are the ten? As soon as one sees the Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]), one perceives sentient beings (眾生 [zhong sheng]), and then abandons everything, all refuges. In short, one quickly perfects the retinue of blessings and virtues (福德眷屬 [fu de juan shu]), quickly receives the roots of all virtues, and immediately attains purity. Without any shortcomings, one immediately eliminates doubts and suspicions. Upon seeing the Buddhas (諸佛 [zhu fu]), one manifests the Great Vehicle (大乘 [da cheng]) for sentient beings (眾生 [zhong sheng]), causing them to be fearless, and quickly attains accomplishment, becoming irreversible. Upon seeing the Buddhas, World-Honored Ones (諸佛世尊 [zhu fu shi zun]), one quickly seeks to differentiate the origins of sentient beings (眾生之源 [zhong sheng zhi yuan]) and liberate them, and then attains the root of pure sentient beings (淨眾生根 [jing zhong sheng gen]) for transcending the world. Upon seeing the Buddhas, World-Honored Ones (諸佛世尊 [zhu fu shi zun]), one is immediately unhindered. These are the ten."

[0086b11] “fù cì, fú zi! fù yǒu shí shì, jí jiàn rú lái. hé děng shí? shì jiàn zhū fú, zé dǔ zhòng shēng, biàn qì yī qiè, zhū suǒ guī qù. qǔ yào yán zhī, sù jí jù zú fú dé juàn shǔ, sù shòu zhū dé zhī běn, jí dé qīng jìng. wú suǒ duǎn fá, biàn chú hú yí, shì jiàn zhū fú, wèi zhòng shēng děng shì yú dà chéng, lìng wú suǒ wèi, xún dé chéng jiù, wèi bù tuì zhuǎn. shì dé dǎi jiàn zhū fú shì zūn, jí qiú fēn bié zhòng shēng zhī yuán, ér kāi dù zhī, biàn dǎi dù shì jìng zhòng shēng gēn. shì dé dǎi jiàn zhū fú shì zūn, biàn wú bì ài. shì wèi shí.”

[0086b11] "fu ci, fu zi! fu you shi shi, ji jian ru lai. he deng shi? shi jian zhu fu, ze du zhong sheng, bian qi yi qie, zhu suo gui qu. qu yao yan zhi, su ji ju zu fu de juan shu, su shou zhu de zhi ben, ji de qing jing. wu suo duan fa, bian chu hu yi, shi jian zhu fu, wei zhong sheng deng shi yu da cheng, ling wu suo wei, xun de cheng jiu, wei bu tui zhuan. shi de dai jian zhu fu shi zun, ji qiu fen bie zhong sheng zhi yuan, er kai du zhi, bian dai du shi jing zhong sheng gen. shi de dai jian zhu fu shi zun, bian wu bi ai. shi wei shi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0086b19] When the Buddha (佛 [fu]) spoke thus, the Bodhisattvas (諸菩薩 [zhu pu sa]) rejoiced upon hearing the sutra.

[0086b19] fú shuō rú shì, zhū pú sà wén jīng huān xǐ.◎

◎fú shuō suǒ xīn shì jīng dì èr shí sān

[0086b19] fu shuo ru shi, zhu pu sa wen jing huan xi.◎

◎fu shuo suo xin shi jing di er shi san