New Publications: Six New Publication of Mañjuśrī

Within the Tantra section of the Degé Kangyur there are six dhāraṇī scriptures (Toh 545–550) gathered together that provide instruction in recitation practices centered on the bodhisattava Mañjuśrī.

Spoken by Mañjuśrī Himself (Toh 545) presents a dhāraṇī recitation practice taught by Mañjuśrī in the Buddha’s presence, while Mañjuśrī’s Sworn Oath (Toh 546) sets out another practice focused on Mañjuśrī, in the form of a vidyā that, again, Mañjuśrī himself pronounces. The vidyā unfolds in a series of forceful imperatives suggestive of battle, conquest, and celebration, and after enunciating it, Mañjuśrī explains that its recitation will lead to virtuosity in the memorization of scriptural verses.

The third scripture in this group, Mañjuśrī’s Promise (Toh 547), begins with a homage to him in Sanskrit and then enumerates the benefits to be obtained from a single recitation of this dhāraṇī, which include the purification of evil deeds accumulated over eons, and the many rewards for more extensive recitation, namely erudition, exceptional powers of memorization, and finally the sight of the body of Mañjuśrī himself. The next, The Epithets of Mañjuśrī (Toh 548) is a concise scripture consisting of a salutation to Mañjuśrī that highlights the qualities of his speech, a thirty-six-syllable Sanskrit dhāraṇī, and a one-sentence statement of the benefits it brings when recited twenty-one times.

Mañjuśrī’s Increasing of Insight and Intelligence (Toh 549), the fourth in this group, is a short dhāraṇī scripture centered on the figure of Mañjuśrī. The many benefits accrued by memorizing it include the swift attainment of intelligence, a melodious voice, and a beautiful appearance. The scripture also extols physical contact with the material text, which is said to enable recollection of one’s former lives. It concludes with a brief statement of the benefits to be gained from extensive recitation, which culminate in beholding the very face of Mañjuśrī.

And the final scripture in this group, ,The Procedure for Mañjuśrī’s Single-Syllable Mantra (Toh 550), is the pithiest of them all, presenting and extolling a secret and potent single-syllable mantra and outlining ritual applications for remedying specific ailments that involve using it to consecrate common items as sacred substances in rites of healing.