The Sūtra of the Sublime Golden Light (1)
Chapter 6: The Dhāraṇīs of Complete Purification
Toh 555
Degé Kangyur, vol. 89 (rgyud ’bum, pa), folios 19.a–151.a
- Chödrup
Imprint
Translated by Peter Alan Roberts and team
under the patronage and supervision of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha
First published 2023
Current version v 1.2.4 (2024)
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Table of Contents
Summary
The Sūtra of the Sublime Golden Light has held great importance in Buddhism for its instructions on the purification of karma. In particular, much of the sūtra is specifically addressed to monarchs and thus has been significant for rulers—not only in India but also in China, Japan, Mongolia, and elsewhere—who wished to ensure the well-being of their nations through such purification. Reciting and internalizing this sūtra is understood to be efficacious for personal purification and also for the welfare of a state and the world.
In this sūtra, the bodhisattva Ruciraketu has a dream in which a prayer of confession emanates from a shining golden drum. He relates the prayer to the Buddha, and a number of deities then vow to protect it and its adherents. The ruler’s devotion to the sūtra is emphasized as important if the nation is to benefit. Toward the end of the sūtra are two well-known narratives of the Buddha’s previous lives: the account of the physician Jalavāhana, who saves and blesses numerous fish, and that of Prince Mahāsattva, who gives his body to a hungry tigress and her cubs.
This is the longest version of The Sūtra of the Sublime Golden Light preserved in the Kangyur. It comprises thirty-one chapters and was translated into Tibetan primarily from Yijing’s Chinese translation in the early ninth century.
Acknowledgements
This sūtra was translated into English by Peter Alan Roberts. Ling Lung Chen, Wang Chipan, Xiaolong Diao, Ting Lee Ling, and H. S. Sum Cheuk Shing were consultants for the Chinese versions of the sūtra. Emily Bower was the project manager and editor. Tracy Davis was the copyeditor. With thanks to Michael Radich for sharing his research on the sūtra.
The translation was completed under the patronage and supervision of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha.
The translation of this text has been made possible through the generous sponsorship of Zhang Da Da.
Text Body
The Sublime Golden Light, the Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras
Chapter 6: The Dhāraṇīs of Complete Purification
475 Then the bodhisattva mahāsattva Blazing Light Rays of Unhindered Traits of Lions,476 together with an entourage of countless millions,477 rose from his seat and, with his upper robe over one shoulder, knelt on his right knee, placed his palms together in homage, bowed his head down to the Bhagavat’s feet, and made an offering to the Bhagavat of a variety of flowers, perfumes, precious banners, flags, and parasols.
Then he inquired of the Bhagavat, “Bhagavat, through how many causes and conditions is the enlightenment mind attained? What is the enlightenment mind? Bhagavat, in enlightenment there is no perception of a present mind, there is also no object of perception as a future mind, and there is no object of perception as a past mind.478 There is also no object of perception as an enlightenment mind that is other than enlightenment.479 Enlightenment cannot be described in words, and also the mind is not a form, it is not a characteristic, it is not a thing or an action,480 it is not composite, and there is no object of perception or comprehension of ‘a being.’481 Therefore, Bhagavat, how should the meaning of this profound Dharma be known?”
“Noble one, it is like that, it is like that,” said the Bhagavat. “There is no object of perception as enlightenment’s substance or an extremely sublime activity that accomplishes it.482 Also there is no enlightenment mind apart from enlightenment. Therefore, enlightenment is indescribable. Also mind is indescribable, has no form or feature, has no substance483 or action, and is immaterial,484 and also there is no object of perception as ‘beings.’
“Why is that? [F.61.b] It is because both enlightenment and mind are the same in their true nature, and because that which acts and that which is acted upon are the same. Nevertheless, it is not that the Dharmas cannot be known.
“Noble one, bodhisattva mahāsattvas have realized in that way the Dharmas that are to be known, and they perfectly teach enlightenment and the enlightenment mind. Enlightenment485 is not the past, it is not the future, and it is not even the present, and the mind is the same as that. Beings are also like that. In this there are no two characteristics as objects of perception. Why is that? It is because phenomena are unborn. Enlightenment has no object of perception. Even the name enlightenment does not exist as an object of perception. Beings and the name beings do not exist as objects of perception. Śrāvakas and the name śrāvakas do not exist as objects of perception. Pratyekabuddhas and the name pratyekabuddhas do not exist as objects of perception. Bodhisattvas and the name bodhisattvas do not exist as objects of perception. Buddhas and the name buddhas do not exist as objects of perception. Conduct and the name conduct do not exist as objects of perception. Nonconduct and the name nonconduct do not exist as objects of perception.486 In this way, because of their not being objects of perception, they remain in all extinguished phenomena.487 These are produced on the basis of the good roots of merit.
“Noble one, it is like this: as an analogy, Sumeru, the precious king of mountains, is beneficial for everyone; in the same way, this enlightenment mind is beneficial for beings and therefore is the cause of the first perfection of generosity.
“Noble one, it is like this: as a further analogy, the great earth supports many things, and as the enlightenment mind is like that, it is the cause of the second perfection of correct conduct. [F.62.a]
“It is like this: as a further analogy, the great powerful lion488 travels alone without fear, and in that way, the enlightenment mind is free of fear and alarm, and therefore it is the cause of the third perfection of patience.
“It is like this: as a further analogy, Nārāyaṇa’s wind wheel489 is powerful and fast, and in that way, the enlightenment mind cannot be influenced,490 and therefore it is the cause of the fourth perfection of diligence.
“It is like this: as a further analogy, a divine palace made of the seven precious materials has four successive staircases and four doors through which very cool air blows, giving a pleasant sensation. In that same way, the enlightenment mind seeks for the treasure of the qualities of meditative stability and increases it,491 and therefore it is the cause of the fifth perfection of meditation.
“It is like this: as a further analogy, the disk of the sun spreads light rays, and in that same way, the enlightenment mind always quickly defeats the darkness of the ignorance of saṃsāra, and therefore it is the cause of the sixth perfection of wisdom.
“It is like this: a head merchant fulfills the prayers in everyone’s minds, and in that same way, the enlightenment mind passes over the frightening path of saṃsāra and obtains the jewels of good qualities, and therefore it is the cause of the seventh perfection of superior knowledge in skillful methods.
“It is like this: the moon when pure and full is not darkened, and in that same way, this enlightenment mind makes all conduct perfectly pure, and therefore it is the cause of the eighth perfection of prayer.
“It is like this: the prime minister who is in charge of a cakravartin king’s army has the power of the fulfillment of wishes, and in that same way, this enlightenment mind brings a vast benefit to beings through immeasurable qualities, and a completely pure and well-adorned buddha realm; therefore, it is the cause of the ninth perfection of strength. [F.62.b]
“It is like this: in the same way as space and a cakravartin, this enlightenment mind is unimpeded and present in all fields of activity and has attained independence and has reached the level of empowerment; therefore, it is the cause of the tenth perfection of knowledge.
“You should diligently train in ten such causes.492
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas complete the perfection of generosity through five qualities.493 What are those five? They are (1) the power of faith, (2) compassion, (3) being without a mind that seeks what is desired, (4) gathering all beings, and (5) seeking omniscient wisdom.
“Noble one, these complete the perfection of generosity of the bodhisattva mahāsattvas.
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas complete the perfection of correct conduct through five qualities.494 What are those five? They are (1) the purity of the three kinds of actions; (2) not creating the causes and conditions of the kleśas of all beings; (3) closing the door to the lower existences and opening the door to the happy existences; (4) transcending the level of the śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas; and (5) completing all merit.
“Noble one, these complete the perfection of correct conduct of the bodhisattva mahāsattvas.
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas complete the perfection of patience through five qualities.495 What are those five? They are (1) the ability to subjugate the kleśas of desire and anger; (2) without cherishing one’s body and life, not seeking for happiness and pacifying perceptions; (3) accepting suffering when encountered by thinking of karma from the past; [F.63.a] (4) developing thoughts of love and compassion and ripening the good roots of beings; and (5) attaining the profound patience of the quality of birthlessness.
“Noble one, these complete the perfection of patience of the bodhisattva mahāsattvas.
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas complete the perfection of diligence through five496 qualities. What are those five? They are (1) not wishing to remain with the kleśas; (2) not practicing happiness until merit has been completed; (3) not having thoughts of weariness in undergoing various hardships; (4) ripening all beings through skill in the methods of gathering and benefiting them with great love and compassion; and (5) aspiring to master the level of irreversibility.
“Noble one, these complete the perfection of diligence of the bodhisattva mahāsattvas.
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas complete the perfection of meditation through five qualities.497 What are those five? They are (1) gathering good qualities and not creating thoughts;498 (2) always aspiring to liberation and having no attachment to the two extremes; (3) attaining the higher cognitions and ripening the good roots of beings; (4) purifying the Dharma realm and eliminating the stains of the mind; and (5) cutting through the kleśa roots of beings. [F.63.b]
“Noble one, these complete the perfection of meditation of the bodhisattva mahāsattvas.
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas complete the perfection of wisdom through five qualities.499 What are those five? They are (1) always making offerings to and closely relying on all the buddhas and bodhisattvas, who have clarity and skill in methods, and not wearying or turning back; (2) always aspiring in the mind to hear the tathāgatas teach the profound Dharma without ever feeling that it is enough; (3) aspiring to examine through the sublime ultimate and relative wisdoms; (4) quickly eliminating all kleśas, which are to be eliminated through meditation;500 and (5) understanding the qualities of the five fields of knowledge.501
“Noble one, these complete the perfection of wisdom of the bodhisattva mahāsattvas.
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas complete the perfection of skill in methods through five qualities.502 What are those five? They are (1) understanding and comprehending the particular aspirations, kleśas, and mental conduct of all beings; (2) understanding clearly in the mind all the gateways of remedies in the limitless Dharmas; (3) attaining mastery of rising out of and entering into the samādhis of great love and compassion; (4) aspiring to attain ripening and excellence through meditation on the perfections; and (5) aspiring to gather and realize all the qualities of buddhahood without exception.
“Noble one, these complete the perfection of skill in methods of the bodhisattva mahāsattvas. [F.64.a]
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas complete the perfection of prayer through five qualities.503 What are those five? They are (1) the mind being happily at rest concerning all phenomena being primordially unborn and unceasing and neither existent nor nonexistent; (2) the mind being happily at rest having examined the sublime, supreme nature of the meaning of all Dharmas, which is pure and stainless; (3) the mind being happily at rest in the true nature of the mind that transcends all features and is uncreated, without activity, without differences, and unshakable; (4) the mind being happily at rest in relative truth because of wishing to benefit beings; and (5) the mind being happily at rest in the simultaneous practice of śamatha and vipaśyanā.
“Noble one, these complete the perfection of prayer of the bodhisattva mahāsattvas.
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas complete the perfection of strength through five qualities.504 What are those five? They are (1) knowing, through the strength of true knowledge, the conduct of all beings, and the good and bad in their minds;505 (2) leading all beings into very profound and excellent Dharma; (3) knowing exactly and correctly the karmic factors of all beings who are circling in saṃsāra; (4) analyzing and comprehending through the strength of correct knowledge the faculties and the three natures506 in beings; and (5) correctly and appropriately teaching beings so that they develop good roots, ripening them and through the strength of knowledge liberating them. [F.64.b]
“Noble one, these complete the perfection of strength of the bodhisattva mahāsattvas.
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas complete the perfection of knowledge through five qualities.507 What are those five? They are (1) distinguishing between good and bad qualities; (2) not rejecting but accumulating good qualities; (3) not being saddened by saṃsāra nor delighting in nirvāṇa; (4) reaching the ultimate state through possessing the practice of merit and wisdom; and (5) obtaining the supreme empowerment, and attaining the unique qualities of a buddha, and so on, and omniscient knowledge.
“Noble one, these complete the perfection of knowledge of the bodhisattva mahāsattvas.
“Noble one, what is the meaning of perfection? It is like this: that which accomplishes the supreme benefit is perfection; that which completes limitless, great, profound knowledge is perfection; the mind having no attachment to qualities of conduct or nonconduct is perfection; knowing and correctly discriminating between the faults of saṃsāra and the good qualities of nirvāṇa is perfection; gathering all individuals who have ignorance and who have wisdom is perfection; teaching the various kinds of excellent, precious Dharma is perfection; [F.65.a] completing unimpeded liberation and wisdom is perfection; discriminating and knowing the nature of Dharmas and the nature of beings is perfection; reaching the state of nonregression from generosity, and so on, up to knowledge is perfection; completing the patience of the quality of birthlessness508 is perfection; ripening the good roots of merit in all beings is perfection; attaining enlightenment and completing the ten strengths, the four confidences, the unique qualities, and so on, of buddhahood is perfection; the realization of the nonduality of the characteristics of saṃsāra and nirvāṇa is perfection; repeatedly benefiting beings is perfection; when tīrthikas come and ask questions, teaching them correctly and converting them is perfection; turning the twelve aspects of the excellent wheel of the Dharma is perfection; and not having attachment and being free of not seeing and of faults is perfection.
“Noble one, the appearance of a sign that is the omen509 for the first bodhisattva bhūmi510 is like this: all bodhisattvas see countless, innumerable trichiliocosm world realms becoming filled with various treasures of jewels.
“Noble one, the appearance of a sign that is the omen511 for the second bodhisattva bhūmi512 is like this: [F.65.b] all bodhisattvas see that the ground in the trichiliocosm world realms has become as flat as the palm of the hand; has a variety of countless, innumerable, excellent colors; and is adorned by pure jewels.
“Noble one, the appearance of a sign that is the omen513 for the third bodhisattva bhūmi514 is like this: all bodhisattvas see themselves as a warrior adorned in armor and defeating515 all their adversaries.
“Noble one, the appearance of a sign that is the omen516 for the fourth bodhisattva bhūmi517 is like this: all bodhisattvas see circles of wind from the four directions scattering a variety of sublime flowers that cover the earth.
“Noble one, the appearance of a sign that is the omen518 for the fifth bodhisattva bhūmi519 is like this: all bodhisattvas see bodies covered by the adornment of various precious jewelry and garlands of flowers adorning their heads.
“Noble one, the appearance of a sign that is the omen520 for the sixth bodhisattva bhūmi521 is like this: all bodhisattvas see a flower pond made of the seven precious materials, with four stairways, with a bottom of gold sand, filled with perfectly clear, aromatic water that possesses the eight good qualities and is covered by blue lotuses, night lotuses, and white lotuses, and those playing within it are very happy—it is very pure and beyond analogy.
“Noble one, the appearance of a sign that is the omen522 for the seventh bodhisattva bhūmi523 is like this: all bodhisattvas see before a bodhisattva those beings who are going to fall into the hells,524 but through the power of the bodhisattva they do not fall, are not even injured, and are not even terrified or frightened. [F.66.a]
“Noble one, the appearance of a sign that is the omen525 for the eighth bodhisattva bhūmi526 is like this: all bodhisattvas see that to their right and left they are being guarded by lions, the kings of beasts, and an entire multitude of wild beasts are frightened and terrified of them.
“Noble one, the appearance of a sign that is the omen527 for the ninth bodhisattva bhūmi528 is like this: all bodhisattvas see cakravartins encircled by retinues numbering many hundreds of thousands who are making offerings to them, and they are adorned by a variety of precious white parasols above their heads.
“Noble one, the appearance of a sign that is the omen529 for the tenth bodhisattva bhūmi530 is like this: all bodhisattvas see a tathāgata with a shining golden body, with pure, immeasurable light rays, every excellence, and encircled by countless hundreds of thousands of Brahmā kings who are honoring him and making offerings to him, so that he turns the extremely excellent wheel of the unsurpassable Dharma.
“Noble one, why is the first bhūmi called Perfect Joy? It is like this: first, a mind that transcends the world, which had never been previously attained, is attained at this time, and then there is the great accomplishment that is what had been prayed for, and therefore a perfect joy arises; that is why the first bhūmi is called Perfect Joy.
“The second bhūmi is called Stainless because it is completely purified of all extremely subtle stains and of errors in conduct. [F.66.b]
“The third bhūmi is called Shining because there is the radiance of the light rays of measureless wisdom and samādhi, which cannot be destabilized, cannot be overcome, and which is the root of the power of retention that holds whatever has been heard.
“The fourth bhūmi is called Blazing531 because there is the fire of wisdom that incinerates all kleśas and increases the radiance of light, and there is the meditation on the factors of enlightenment.
“The fifth bhūmi is called Difficult Training532 because there is the mastery of the supreme knowledge of meditation though skillful methods, which is extremely difficult to attain, and the kleśas that are difficult to subjugate through the paths of seeing and meditation are subjugated.
“The sixth bhūmi is called Manifested because there is the clear manifestation of the continuity of the Dharma of conduct and the manifestation of all featureless mentation.
“The seventh bhūmi is called Gone Far because there are no obstacles to that which is stainless, because of featureless mentation, because there is long meditation in liberated samādhi, and because that bhūmi is pure and unhindered.
“The eighth bhūmi is called Unwavering because through attainment of the mastery of featureless mentation, the kleśas are unable to cause instability.
“The ninth bhūmi is called Perfect Understanding because through the mastery of teaching all the various different kinds of Dharma, there is an increase of wisdom that is without faults or dependence533 and there is the attainment of unimpeded power.
“The tenth bhūmi is called Cloud of Dharma because the Dharma body is like the sky, and wisdom, having become like a great cloud, pervades everything.
“Noble one, the first bhūmi is obscured by these two kinds of ignorance: the ignorance of attachment to the features of self and phenomena, and the ignorance of being afraid and terrified of the lower existences of saṃsāra. [F.67.a]
“The second bhūmi is obscured by these two kinds of ignorance: the ignorance of the lack of awareness of subtle points in the trainings so that they are transgressed, and the ignorance that adopts various kinds of activities.
“The third bhūmi is obscured by these two kinds of ignorance: the ignorance of the craving that wishes to attain what has not been attained, and the ignorance that obscures the superior powers of retention.
“The fourth bhūmi is obscured by these two kinds of ignorance: the ignorance that delights in the flavor of resting in meditation, and the ignorance of craving for pure, extremely excellent qualities.
“The fifth bhūmi is obscured by these two kinds of ignorance: the ignorance of rejecting saṃsāra and the ignorance of seeking for nirvāṇa.
“The sixth bhūmi is obscured by these two kinds of ignorance: the ignorance of movement within the practice,534 and the ignorance of the manifest appearance of features.
“The seventh bhūmi is obscured by these two kinds of ignorance: the ignorance of directly engaging in subtle features,535 and the ignorance of delighting in featureless mentation.
“The eighth bhūmi is obscured by these two kinds of ignorance: the ignorance of exertion in meditation on featurelessness, and the ignorance of attachment to attaining power over features.
“The ninth bhūmi is obscured by these two kinds of ignorance: the ignorance of not being skilled in536 the limitless meanings and the limitless names, words, and letters that are to be taught, and the ignorance of not having attained the power of eloquence as wished for.
“The tenth bhūmi is obscured by these two kinds of ignorance: the ignorance of not having attained mastery over manifesting miracles,537 and the ignorance of not comprehending very subtle, secret activities. [F.67.b]
“The bhūmi of buddhahood is obscured by these two kinds of ignorance: the ignorance of the obscuration caused by the subtle objects of knowledge in the entire field of experience, and the ignorance of the negative propensities of extremely subtle kleśas.
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattva who is on the first bhūmi practices the perfection of generosity; on the second bhūmi practices the perfection of correct conduct; on the third bhūmi practices the perfection of patience; on the fourth bhūmi practices the perfection of diligence; on the fifth bhūmi practices the perfection of meditation; on the sixth bhūmi practices the perfection of wisdom; on the seventh bhūmi practices the perfection of skill in methods; on the eighth bhūmi practices the perfection of prayer; on the ninth bhūmi practices the perfection of strength; and on the tenth bhūmi practices the perfection of knowledge.
“Noble one, through the first development of the enlightenment mind, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas accumulate and give rise to the samādhi that is a superior jewel;538 through the second development of the enlightenment mind, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas accumulate and give rise to the samādhi that is beautiful;539 through the third development of the enlightenment mind, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas accumulate and give rise to the samādhi that is difficult to destabilize; through the fourth development of the enlightenment mind, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas accumulate and give rise to the samādhi that is irreversible; through the fifth development of the enlightenment mind, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas accumulate and give rise to the samādhi of precious flowers; through the sixth development of the enlightenment mind, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas accumulate and give rise to the samādhi of the shining light rays of the sun’s disk; through the seventh development of the enlightenment mind, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas accumulate and give rise to the samādhi that accomplishes all prayers exactly as wished for; through the eighth development of the enlightenment mind, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas accumulate and give rise to the samādhi of directly perceived presence;540 through the ninth development of the enlightenment mind, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas accumulate and give rise to the samādhi of the essence of wisdom;541 [F.68.a] and through the tenth development of the enlightenment mind, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas accumulate and give rise to the samādhi that is heroic.
“Noble one, these are what are called the ten kinds of the development of enlightenment mind by the bodhisattva mahāsattvas.
“Noble one, the dhāraṇī obtained by the bodhisattva mahāsattvas on the first bhūmi is called strength of remaining within the qualities.”542
tadyathā | pūrṇamanorathe doho doho yāvat sūryāvabhāsatā yāvad candre daudante tāvād rakṣamān daṇḍaparihāraṃ kuru svāhā |543
“Noble one, this dhāraṇī is recited so that more buddha bhagavats than there are grains of sand in a Ganges River will protect the bodhisattvas on the first bhūmi.
“Whoever recites and possesses this dhāraṇī mantra will be freed from all fear of vicious beasts such as tigers, jackals, and lions; malevolent pretas; attacks from humans, nonhumans, and so on; and harm from demons, obstacle makers, and suffering,544 and they will be liberated from the five kinds of obscurations and will remember and not forget the first bhūmi.
“Noble one, the dhāraṇī obtained by the bodhisattva mahāsattvas on the second bhūmi is called location of extreme bliss:545
“Noble one, this dhāraṇī is recited so that more buddha bhagavats than there are grains of sand in two Ganges Rivers will protect the bodhisattvas on the second bhūmi.
“Whoever recites and possesses this dhāraṇī mantra will be freed from all fear of vicious beasts, vicious pretas, [F.68.b] human and nonhuman attacks, and harm from demons, obstacle makers, and suffering,547 and they will be liberated from the five kinds of obscurations and will remember and not forget the second bhūmi.
“Noble one, the dhāraṇī obtained by the bodhisattva mahāsattvas on the third bhūmi is called strength that is difficult to conquer:548
“Noble one, this dhāraṇī is recited so that more buddha bhagavats than there are grains of sand in three Ganges Rivers will protect the bodhisattvas on the third bhūmi.
“Whoever possesses and recites this dhāraṇī mantra will be freed from all fear of vicious beasts, vicious pretas, human and nonhuman attacks, and harm from demons, obstacle makers, and suffering,550 and they will be liberated from the five kinds of obscurations and will remember and not forget the third bhūmi.
“Noble one, the dhāraṇī obtained by the bodhisattva mahāsattvas on the fourth bhūmi is called vast benefit:551
tadyathā | śiri śiri dima dimani dhari dharini śiri śiriṇi viśalā viśālā vaśa vaśani bandhniye svāhā |552
“Noble one, this dhāraṇī is recited so that more buddha bhagavats than there are grains of sand in four Ganges Rivers will protect the bodhisattvas on the fourth bhūmi.
“Whoever possesses and recites this dhāraṇī mantra will be freed from all fear of vicious beasts, vicious pretas, human and nonhuman attacks, and harm from demons, obstacle makers, and suffering,553 and they will be liberated from the five kinds of obscurations [F.69.a] and will remember and not forget the fourth bhūmi.
“Noble one, the dhāraṇī obtained by the bodhisattva mahāsattvas on the fifth bhūmi is called adorned by various qualities:554
tadyathā | hari hariṇi ciri ciriṇi karimāṇi saṃkarimāṇi sāma vāsani jambhani stambhani mohani svayaṃbhūkke svāhā |555
“Noble one, this dhāraṇī is recited so that more buddha bhagavats than there are grains of sand in five Ganges Rivers will protect the bodhisattvas on the fifth bhūmi.
“Whoever possesses and recites this dhāraṇī mantra will be freed from all fear and terror and will be liberated from vicious beasts, vicious pretas, human and nonhuman attacks, and harm from demons, obstacle makers, and suffering,556 and they will be liberated from the five kinds of obscurations and will remember and not forget the fifth bhūmi.
“Noble one, the dhāraṇī obtained by the bodhisattva mahāsattvas on the sixth bhūmi is called completely expanded wisdom:557
tadyathā | vitori vitori mariṇi kali kali vidho hante lulu lulu culu culu tolūva tolūva śaśa śaccha pariśa svasti sarva satvānāṃ siddhyantu mama mantrapādāni svāhā |558
“Noble one, this dhāraṇī is recited so that more buddha bhagavats than there are grains of sand in six Ganges Rivers will protect the bodhisattvas on the sixth bhūmi.
“Whoever possesses and recites this dhāraṇī mantra will be freed from all fear and terror and will be liberated from vicious beasts, vicious pretas, human and nonhuman attacks, thieves, sudden harm, kleśas, all forms of suffering, and the five kinds of obscurations,559 [F.69.b] and they will remember and not forget the sixth bhūmi.
“Noble one, the dhāraṇī obtained by the bodhisattva mahāsattvas on the seventh bhūmi is called the conduct of the dharma of the jinas:560
tadyathā | jaha jaharu jaha jaha jaharu vailuke vailuke amṛtagaṇi puruśaṇi veruteke parubatta vidhe heke vinda vileni amṛluteki vaijuyu vaijuyu svāhā |561
“Noble one, this dhāraṇī is recited so that more buddha bhagavats than there are grains of sand in seven Ganges Rivers will protect the bodhisattvas on the seventh bhūmi.
“Whoever possesses and recites this dhāraṇī mantra will be freed from all fear and terror and will be liberated from vicious beasts, vicious pretas, human and nonhuman attacks, thieves, sudden harm, kleśas, all forms of suffering, and the five kinds of obscurations,562 and they will remember and not forget the seventh bhūmi.
“Noble one, the dhāraṇī obtained by the bodhisattva mahāsattvas on the eighth bhūmi is called inexhaustible treasure.563 The dhāraṇī is:
“Noble one, this dhāraṇī is recited so that more buddha bhagavats than there are grains of sand in eight Ganges Rivers will protect the bodhisattvas on the eighth bhūmi.
“Whoever possesses and recites this dhāraṇī mantra will be freed from all fear and terror and will be liberated from vicious beasts, vicious pretas, human and nonhuman attacks, thieves, sudden harm, kleśas, all forms of suffering, and the five kinds of obscurations,565 and they will remember the eighth bhūmi. [F.70.a]
“Noble one, the dhāraṇī obtained by the bodhisattva mahāsattvas on the ninth bhūmi is called immeasurable name.566 The dhāraṇī is:
tadyathā | haricaṇḍalike kulamābhadri torasipata patasi śiri śiri gaśiri gāpiśiri svasti sarvasatvānāṃ svāhā |567
“Noble one, this dhāraṇī is recited so that more buddha bhagavats than there are grains of sand in nine Ganges Rivers will protect the bodhisattvas on the ninth bhūmi.
“Whoever possesses and recites this dhāraṇī mantra will be freed from all fear and terror and will be liberated from vicious beasts, vicious pretas, human and nonhuman attacks, thieves, sudden harm, kleśas, all forms of suffering, and the five kinds of obscurations,568 and they will remember the ninth bhūmi.
“Noble one, the dhāraṇī obtained by the bodhisattva mahāsattvas on the tenth bhūmi is called defeating the vajra mountain.569 The dhāraṇī is:
tadyathā | siddhe susiddhe mocani mokṣani mukte vimukte amale vimale damale māṅgale hiraṇyagarbhe ratnagarbhe samantabhadre sarvārtha sādhani manase mahāmanase adbhute atyadbhute araje viraje acyute amṛte araje viraje prahme prahma svarepūraṇi pūraṇi manorathe svāhā |570
“Noble one, this dhāraṇī is the auspicious words of consecration, recited so that more buddha bhagavats than there are grains of sand in ten Ganges Rivers will protect the bodhisattvas on the tenth bhūmi.
“Whoever possesses and recites this dhāraṇī mantra will be freed from all fear and terror and will be liberated from vicious beasts, vicious pretas, human and nonhuman attacks, thieves, and sudden harm;571 all malevolence and harm will be dispelled and cease, and they will be liberated from the five kinds of obscurations and will remember the tenth bhūmi.”
Then the bodhisattva mahāsattva by the name of Radiating Lions’ Features,572 [F.70.b] having heard the Bhagavat teach those dhāraṇīs, rose from his seat and, with his upper robe over one shoulder, knelt on his right knee, placed his palms together in homage, bowed down to the Bhagavat’s feet, and praised him with these verses:
Then the great Brahmarāja577 rose from his seat and, with his upper robe over one shoulder,578 knelt on his right knee, placed his palms together, reverently bowed down to the Bhagavat’s feet, and said to the Bhagavat, “Bhagavat, this Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light is rare and beyond evaluation; it is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end;579 it has a good meaning; it has good words;580 and it can accomplish all the Dharmas of the Buddha. A human who possesses and holds it is someone who repays all the buddhas.”
“Noble one, it is so, it is so. It is as you have said,” replied the Bhagavat. “Noble one, all who listen to and hear this sūtra will progress irreversibly to the highest, most complete enlightenment.
“Why is that? Noble one, it can ripen the supreme good roots of the bodhisattvas who are irreversibly upon the bhūmis. It is the seal of the supreme Dharma, and it is the king of all sūtras. Therefore, listen to it and hear it; possess it and hold it; read it and recite it.
“Noble one,581 beings who have not planted good roots, who have not ripened their good roots, and who have not served the buddhas will not be able to hear this sublime Dharma.
“Those noble men or noble women who hear and possess it will be purified of all their karmic obscurations, which will cease, and they will be supremely pure, always see the buddhas, and never be apart from what are termed the supreme practices of the buddhas and kalyāṇamitras. They will attain the unceasing, unobscured gateway582 of supreme dhāraṇīs, which are like this: [F.71.b] the unceasing, unobscured dhāraṇī of the arising of the supreme qualities of the seal of the ocean; the unceasing, unobscured dhāraṇī that is unimpeded in the minds,583 types of conduct, and languages of all beings; the unceasing, unobscured dhāraṇī of the light of the characteristics of the stainless disk of the sun; the unceasing, unobscured dhāraṇī of the light of the characteristics of the full moon; the unceasing, unobscured dhāraṇī that defeats corruption584 and increases good qualities; the unceasing, unobscured dhāraṇī that demolishes vajra mountains; the unceasing, unobscured dhāraṇī that holds what cannot be taught, the essence of the causes and conditions that it is not appropriate to teach; the unceasing, unobscured dhāraṇī of the unimpeded voice for the Dharma that tells the truth;585 the unceasing, unobscured dhāraṇī of the seal of the mind and virtuous conduct of stainless space; and the unceasing, unobscured dhāraṇī of the directly perceived appearances of all the bodies of endless buddhas,586 and so on.
“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattvas will emanate as the bodies of buddhas in all buddha realms in the ten directions and teach the highest sublime Dharma587 in order that the extent of all gateways to these unceasing, unobscured dhāraṇīs will be accomplished and attained. This is because the true nature of phenomena does not move, does not stay, does not go, and does not come. Even though they588 accomplish and ripen the good roots of beings, they do not see a single being becoming ripened. Even though they teach various kinds of Dharmas, even in words they do not move, stay, go, or come. Even though they teach production and cessation, they comprehend that there is no production or cessation. Why is there no coming or going in phenomena? It is because there is no difference in the nature of any phenomena.”
When this Dharma teaching was given, three thousand million589 bodhisattvas attained patience of the quality of birthlessness; innumerable bodhisattvas attained the irreversible enlightenment mind; innumerable, [F.72.a] endless bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs attained the pure Dharma eyes regarding phenomena; and innumerable beings developed the enlightenment mind.
That great multitude then rose up together from their seats, bowed their heads to the Buddha’s feet, and said to the Buddha, “Bhagavat, wherever someone teaches,591 reads, and recites this Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light, we and the rest of this multitude will go there and be the assembly that listens. We will benefit that preceptor who teaches the Dharma, and make him blissful and happy, free of obscurations, and relaxed in body and mind. We and the others will sincerely make offerings to him and make the multitudes who listen happy.592
“We will make that land have no enemies, terror, fear, harm, famine, or tribulations. We will cause the people of that land to multiply and spread. We will not allow devas, nonhumans,593 or other beings to trample, walk, make dirty, and so on, the area that is the location of that Dharma teaching. Why is that? Because that place where the Dharma is taught is a shrine, and so we will offer incense, flowers, flags, and parasols to it. We and others will always protect it and keep it free from deterioration and decay.”594
Then the Bhagavat said to that multitude, “Noble ones, if you and others should meditate diligently on this supreme sūtra, then this sublime Dharma will remain for a long time in this world.” [F.72.b]
This concludes “The Dhāraṇīs of Complete Purification,” the sixth chapter of “The Supremely Victorious King of Sūtras, the Sublime Golden Light.” [B5]
Bibliography
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gser ’od dam pa’ i mdo. Toh 555, Degé Kangyur vol. 89 (rgyud ’bum, pa), folios 19.a–151a.
gser ’od dam pa mdo sde’i dbang po’i rgyal po zhes bya ba theg pa chen po’i mdo (Suvarṇaprabhāsottamasūtrendrarājanāmamahāyānasūtra). Toh 556, Degé Kangyur vol. 89 (rgyud ’bum, pa), folios 151.b–273.a. English translation The Sūtra of the Sublime Golden Light (2) 2024.
gser ’od dam pa mdo sde’i dbang po’i rgyal po zhes bya ba theg pa chen po’i mdo (Suvarṇaprabhāsottamasūtrendrarājanāmamahāyānasūtra). Toh 557, Degé Kangyur vol. 90 (rgyud ’bum, pha), folios 1.a–62.a. English translation The Sūtra of the Sublime Golden Light (3) 2024.
Hebu jin guangming 合部金光明經. Taishō 664 (CBETA, SAT). (Translation of Suvarṇaprabhāsottamasūtra by Bao Gui 寶貴).
Jin guangming jin 金光明經. Taishō 663 (CBETA, SAT). (Translation of Suvarṇaprabhāsottamasūtra by Dharmakṣema, a.k.a. Tan Wuchen 曇無讖).
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dkyil ’khor thams cad kyi spyi’i cho gag sang ba’i rgyud (Sarvamaṇḍalasāmānyavidhiguhyatantra). Toh 806, Degé Kangyur vol. 96 (rgyud, wa), folios 141.a–167.b.
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ral pa gyen brdzes kyi rtog pa chen po byang chub sems dpa’ chen po’i rnam par ’phrul pa le’u rab ’byams las bcom ldan ’das ma ’phags ma sgrol ma’i rtsa ba’i rtog pa zhes bya ba (Ūrdhvajaṭāmahākalpamahābodhisattvavikurvaṇapaṭalavisarā bhāgavatī āryatārāmūlakalpanāma). Toh 724, Degé Kangyur vol. 93 (rgyud, tsa), folios 205.b–311.a, and vol. 94 (rgyud, tsha), folios 1.a–200.a.
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las kyi sgrib pa gcod pa zhes bya ba theg pa chen po’i mdo (Karmāvaraṇapratipraśrabdhināmamahāyānasūtra) Toh 219, Degé Kangyur vol. 62 (mdo sde, tsha), folios 297.b–307.a. English translation Putting an End to Karmic Obscurations 2024.
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_______. byang chub lam gyi sgron ma’i dka’ ’grel (Bodhimārgapradīpapañjikā). Toh 3948, Degé Tengyur vol. 213 (mdo ’grel, khi), folios 241.a–293.a.
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_______. pho brang stod thang lhan dkar gyi chos ’gyur ro cog gi dkar chag (Buddhavacanasūcilipi). Toh 4364, Degé Tengyur vol. 308 (sna tshogs, jo), folios 294.b–310.a.
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Other References in Tibetan
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Other References in English and Other Languages
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Translations
Emmerick, R. E. The Sūtra of Golden Light. Oxford: The Pali Text Society, 2004.
Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). Sutra of Golden Light, 21-Chapter.
Nobel, Johannes. Suvarṇaprabhāsottamasūtra, Das Goldglanz-Sutra, ein Sanskrittext des Mahayana Buddhismus. I-Tsing’s chinesische Version und ihre Übersetzung. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1958.