Mahāmāyūrī: the Peacock Sutra

Preface to the Sutra of the Buddha-Mother Great Golden-Radiant Peacock Wisdom King

The Sutra of the Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King is the subtle speech of the great sage Shakyamuni, encompassing truthful phrases and forming an essential gateway of compassionate rescue. Gathering the profound essence of accomplishment, it calms the turbulent ocean of suffering. The deities of the twenty-eight divisions vow together to protect this sutra; even poison-swallowing rakshasa armies arouse kindness and stand guard. Yaksha generals number in vast multitudes, with strength to move stones and lift mountains. Led by Sanji, they offer incense and flowers at Shravasti, arouse pure intention in Jeta’s grove, bow to the sage perfected in knowledge and conduct, rejoice in the profound teaching, delight in the nourishment of meditation, and wish to wash their hearts in nectar. Compassionately considering future people, the Buddha taught through Shati’s case and related his own former circumstances. Once king of birds, caught in a net, his life was fleeting as dew on a leaf tip. Remembering the ancient sage, the unsurpassed king of awakening, he recited the dharani and transcended suffering. As he voiced it mindfully, his bonds melted like ice and he flew freely through the blue sky. Later, having become a Buddha, he taught this secret Dharma in Jeta’s grove in response to that past connection. Alas, beings of later ages are far removed from sages, born at the end of the semblance Dharma, encountering many obstructions and demons. Practitioners are bewildered and householders troubled by harmful forces; uncanny spirits continually display ominous signs. Without this sutra, what power could restrain them? Thus the widely learned Ananda personally received the sacred words, compiled them on palm leaves, and spread them throughout worlds as numerous as Ganges sands. Although translated in China under several dynasties, it had not become widespread among people in distress. Earlier translators’ language was plain and sometimes obstructed, while editors lacked skillful expression. Though faithful to the sacred intent, the writing strained readers’ shoulders and eyes. The present translator is Amoghavajra, Tripitaka master and national preceptor from central India. Mastering Chinese and Sanskrit and the teachings of the five regions of India, he came to this country. By imperial order he translated it at Daming Palace into three fascicles, entitled the Sutra of the Buddha-Mother Great Golden-Radiant Peacock Wisdom King. Thus the Buddha’s sun shines widely through layered darkness; the secret, truthful teaching flows everywhere, benefiting all equally. When wondrous signs appear, obstructions naturally disappear; when Dharma medicine is widely given, karmic afflictions cease forever. May this Dharma lamp always shine, the whole Dharma realm be pure and peaceful, the emperor’s life extend a thousand years, the imperial family flourish long, gods and dragons stand guard, Dharma teaching constantly spread, and the Buddha’s command shine undecaying through kalpas as numerous as dust.

General rules for this sutra: characters formed by adding a mouth radical to an ordinary character indicate a tongue-flicking pronunciation. They merely borrow sounds because this country has no corresponding characters. Read the remaining characters as written, without arbitrarily adding vocal inflections that would diverge from Sanskrit. In recitation, sounds have lengths and characters have light or heavy values; follow the annotated four tones. Ultimately correct transmission requires instruction from a teacher. Some understanding of the words’ meanings also enables wholehearted recitation. At ‘I, so-and-so,’ state all matters being sought in detail. The historical note declares this sutra has great divine power and that all seekers obtain signs. In the five regions of India, the ten islands of the southern seas, and over twenty northern countries including Tokhara, ordained and lay followers of both lesser and greater vehicles respectfully recite and petition, receiving blessings and benefits without empty results. Because earlier translations had omissions, it spread little in China and was seldom recited in calamity. Therefore Sanskrit copies from various collections have now been widely sought, compared, checked, and investigated anew, producing three fascicles together with instructions for images and ritual platforms, to transmit boundless benefit to later ages.

Procedure of invocation before reciting the Sutra of the Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King

Translated by imperial command by Amoghavajra, the Tripitaka monk of Daxingshan Monastery: granted the honors Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Tejin, acting Honglu Qing, Duke of Su with a fief of three thousand households and the purple robe; posthumously honored as Sikong, titled Dajian, with the formal name Daguangzhi.

I take refuge in all great bodhisattvas beginning with Maitreya, and in solitary awakened ones, hearers, and the noble ones of the four paths and fruits. I honor and worship all these sages. I now recite the Mahamayuri Buddha-Mother Wisdom King Sutra. May all my aspirations be fulfilled as intended. All beings on earth, in the sky, or in water; all gods and spirits; all classes of supernatural beings—gods, dragons, asuras, marutas, garudas, gandharvas, kimnaras, mahoragas, yakshas, rakshasas, pretas, pishachas, kumbhandas, bhutas, putanas, kataputanas, skandas, umadas, chayas, apasmaras, and ustarakas—and all other spirits, sorcerous beings, humans and nonhumans: all harmful poisons, inauspicious things, illnesses, spirits, messengers, enemies, fears, poisons, spells, and curses; those seeking to end human life, intending poison or harm, and acting without benefit: come and hear my recitation. Abandon violence and harm, arouse kind hearts and pure trust in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. I now offer incense, flowers, food, and drink. Please rejoice and hear my words.

May all these gods and spirits assemble, receive this incense, flowers, food, and drink with joy, and protect me, designated by the placeholder name, and my companions. May we be freed from every calamity, sorrow, trouble, illness, famine, imprisonment, bondage, and fearful place; may we live a hundred years and see a hundred autumns. May the power of the sacred formula be accomplished and the wishes sought be fulfilled.

Sutra of the Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, first fascicle

Thus have I heard.

Once the Blessed One was at Jetavana, Anathapindika’s park, in Shravasti. A monk named Shati, newly ordained and recently given full precepts, was learning the discipline and splitting firewood and working in the bathhouse for the monks. A large black snake emerged from a hole in rotten wood and bit his right big toe. The poison spread throughout his body; he collapsed unconscious, foaming at the mouth, his eyes rolled upward.

Seeing the monk poisoned and suffering greatly, the venerable Ananda hurried to the Buddha, bowed at his feet, and said: ‘World-Honored One, the monk Shati has been poisoned and suffers greatly, as described above. How will the Tathagata compassionately rescue and protect him?’

The Buddha told Ananda: ‘I possess the great dharani of Mahamayuri, the Buddha-Mother Wisdom King. It has great power to extinguish all poison, fear, calamity, and distress, embracing and nurturing every being in peace. Take this dharani to rescue Shati: establish the earth boundary and the boundaries of directions and corners, bringing peace and removing suffering. When people are seized or bewitched by gods, dragons, asuras, marutas, garudas, gandharvas, kimnaras, mahoragas, yakshas, rakshasas, pretas, pishachas, bhutas, kumbhandas, putanas, kataputanas, skandas, umadas, chayas, apasmaras, or ustarakas, the Buddha-Mother protects them, dispelling sorrow and fear and granting a hundred-year life. If afflicted by others’ curses, spells, sorcery, and harmful practices—those called 訖哩底迦, 羯摩拏, 迦具囉那, 枳囉拏, 吠哆拏, and 質者; drinking others’ blood or marrow, transforming people into servants, summoning spirits, performing harmful deeds; harmful food, vomit, shadows, gazes, leaps, and crossings; writing curses or committing harmful transgressions—the Buddha-Mother protects that person and companions so none can cause harm. Intermittent fevers recurring after one, two, three, four, or seven days, half a month, or a month; daily or brief fevers; all such fevers and the four hundred and four illnesses; persistent fever, illnesses called henja, goiters, spirit-caused high fever; disorders of wind, bile, and phlegm, separately or combined; indigestion; headache or one-sided pain; pain in eyes, ears, nose, lips, mouth, cheeks, teeth, tongue, throat, chest, sides, back, deep chest, abdomen, waist, lower abdomen, thighs, knees, hands, feet, private parts, or the whole body—all these afflictions are removed, the sutra declares. Please protect me and my companions. I establish the earth boundary and the boundaries of directions and corners, reciting this sutra to bring peace to all.’

Then he spoke a verse:

‘May I be peaceful by night,

and peaceful also by day;

at every time,

may the Buddhas protect me and hold me in their care.’

Then he taught the dharani.

At this point, the reciter should speak aloud the matter sought: during drought, ‘May heaven send rain’; during prolonged rain, ‘May heaven stop the rain.’ In warfare, banditry, epidemic, famine, or other calamity, state the relevant matter and petition single-heartedly; the historical instruction declares that nothing sought will fail.

‘Ananda, there are names of dragon kings. Arouse kindness and mindfully recite their names to remove poisons. Their names follow.’

‘I extend kindness to the dragon king 持國.

I always arouse kindness also toward 愛羅嚩拏.

I likewise arouse kindness toward 尾嚕博叉.

I extend kindness to 黑驕答麼.

I cherish the dragon king 麼抳 with compassion.

I always arouse kindness also toward the dragon 婆蘇枳.

I likewise arouse kindness toward the dragon king 杖足.

I extend kindness to the dragon king 滿賢.

無熱惱池 and 嚩嚕拏,

曼娜洛迦 and 德叉迦,

the dragons 難陀 and 鄔波難陀—

I always arouse kindness toward them.

I extend kindness to the dragon king 無邊.

I likewise arouse kindness toward 嚩蘇目佉.

I always arouse kindness also toward the dragon 無能勝.

I extend kindness to the dragon king 𡃃嚩.

I extend kindness to 大麼娜斯.

I likewise arouse kindness toward 小麼娜斯.

阿鉢羅羅 and 迦洛迦,

the dragon king 有財沙彌 and others,

捺地穆佉 and 麼抳,

the dragon 白蓮華 and 方主,

羯句吒迦 and 蠡足,

毛毯 and 馬勝: I extend kindness to them all.

娑雞得迦 and 供鼻羅,

the dragon kings 針毛 and 臆行,

the dragon 哩使迦: I extend kindness to them.

I likewise arouse kindness toward 滿耳 and 車面.

I extend kindness to the dragon 句洛迦.

婆雌補多 and 蘇難陀,

the great dragon king 愛羅鉢多,

and 濫畝洛迦: I cherish them compassionately.

I extend kindness to the dragon king 非人.

I do the same toward the dragon king 上人.

I always arouse kindness also toward the dragon 蔑蘗羅.

I extend kindness to 母呰隣那.

Some dragon kings travel upon the earth,

some always dwell in the sky,

some always rely on Mount Sumeru,

and some rely on the waters.

I extend kindness to dragon kings with one head,

and do the same toward those with two.

Continuing thus, even to those with many heads,

I extend kindness to these dragon kings.

Whether dragon beings without feet,

with two feet or four,

or dragon kings with many feet,

may each arouse kindness and protect and care for one another.

These dragon kings possess majestic virtue,

beautiful forms and abundant strength, and renown.

Even when gods and asuras fight,

they possess great powers and are all courageous.

May the footless not despise or belittle me.

May the two-footed and four-footed not assail me.

And may dragon kings with many feet

never trouble or afflict my body.

I extend kindness to dragons and deities,

those on earth and those dwelling in the sky.

May all living beings always

arouse kindness and protect and care for one another.

Furthermore, may all living beings,

sacred spirits, and great deities

always see every good sign,

and not encounter offences or harmful things contrary to the heart.

I always arouse great kindness and compassion,

so that they may extinguish and remove harmful poisons,

give benefit and acceptance, freeing beings from calamity and hardship,

and always protect us at every time and place.’

‘All those of pure conduct

can subdue harmful actions.

I honor and worship such people.

Please always protect me.

When I encounter fearful things,

when troubled and confused,

in times of disaster,

illness, abnormalities, or uncanny occurrences,

when poisoned,

or when unbeneficial things arise,

protect me and my companions,

and grant a hundred-year life without illness.’

The Buddha told Ananda: ‘Long ago, on the southern side of the Snow Mountains, lived the Golden-Radiant Peacock King. Reciting the Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King Dharani every morning, he was always peaceful by day; reciting it at dusk, he was always peaceful by night.’ Then he taught the dharani.

‘Ananda, once that Golden-Radiant Peacock King forgot to recite this dharani. Roaming from grove to grove and mountain to mountain with his many peahen companions, caught in desire and attachment, heedless and confused, he entered a mountain cave. A hostile hunter watched for an opening and bound him in a bird trap. Bound, the peacock king recollected his former right mindfulness and immediately recited the dharani. Naturally freed from his bonds, he and his companions returned safely to their former dwelling.’ Then the Buddha taught this wisdom-king dharani again.

The Buddha told Ananda: ‘Who else was that former Golden-Radiant Peacock King? It was I myself. I will now teach the heart dharani of the Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King.’

‘Ananda, remember this heart dharani when entering a village, in wilderness, while traveling a road or off the road, entering a palace, meeting bandits, during disputes, dangers of water or fire, encountering enemies, among crowds, when bitten by snakes or scorpions, poisoned, or afraid; during disorders of wind, bile, or phlegm, their combination, or each of the four hundred and four illnesses; remember it whenever suffering and trouble arrive. Why? The text declares that a capital sentence will be commuted to a fine; a fine to light beating; light beating to abuse; abuse to rebuke; rebuke to trembling with fear; and fear itself to spontaneous release, so all sorrow and trouble disperse.’

‘Ananda, this mantra of the Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King was taught jointly by all Tathagatas. Always uphold it, speak your own name, and seek protection: “Please embrace me, designated by the placeholder name, and remove fears. In hardships of blades, staffs, cangues, or chains, may I be released, always meet benefit, escape calamity and danger, and live a hundred years, seeing a hundred autumns.” Ananda, if humans, gods, Mara, Brahma, ascetics, or brahmins recite and uphold this dharani, establish earth and directional boundaries, and single-heartedly seek protection, I see no god, dragon, or spirit able to harm them. Gods and their wives, sons, daughters, parents, and companions cannot harm them; neither can dragons and their corresponding families and companions. Nor can asuras, marutas, garudas, gandharvas, kimnaras, mahoragas, yakshas, rakshasas, pretas, pishachas, bhutas, kumbhandas, putanas, kataputanas, skandas, umadas, chayas, apasmaras, or ustarakas, together with the wives, sons, daughters, parents, and companions of each.’

‘Even if these gods, dragons, yakshas, spirits, relatives, and companions form harmful intentions and seek an opening to create obstacles, they cannot disturb the keeper of this sutra, because that person constantly upholds the Buddha-Mother dharani. Those spirits attempting harm will, on returning home, be excluded from their companions’ assembly. If anyone defies this mantra and crosses the ritual boundary, their head will split into seven like the tip of the lanxiang plant, the historical text warns. Its note gives the Sanskrit as ajikamanjari, meaning the plant’s shoot, and says the older rendering “branch of the ali tree” is mistaken because there is no such ali tree in the West.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, there is another wisdom-king dharani. Uphold it.’ Then he taught the formula.

‘Vipashyin Tathagata

sat beneath the sorrowless tree.

Shikhin, the World-Honored Buddha,

relied upon the pundarika tree.

Vishvabhu Tathagata

dwelt in a sala grove.

Krakucchanda Tathagata

sat beneath a shirisha tree.

The great teacher Kanakamuni

was beneath an udumbara tree.

Kashyapa, the Well-Gone One,

was beneath a banyan tree.

Shakyamuni Buddha,

Gautama of the noble lineage,

sat beneath the awakening tree

and attained unsurpassed true awakening.

These World-Honored Ones

all possess great majestic virtue.

Heavenly beings make abundant offerings

and all arouse respect and trust.

May all spirits too

arouse joyful thoughts,

always grant me peace,

and keep decline and calamity far away.’

‘The formula taught by the seven World-Honored Buddhas follows.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, there are names of great yakshas jointly taught by Brahma, lord of the Saha world, Shakra, the Four Heavenly Kings, and twenty-eight great yaksha generals. If anyone upholds these names, even spirits forming harmful intentions to disturb that person will have their heads split into seven like a plant’s tip, the text warns.’ Then he taught the yaksha names.

‘May two-footed beings be fortunate,

and four-footed beings also be fortunate.

May the outward journey be fortunate,

and the return journey also be fortunate.

May the night be fortunate,

and the day also be fortunate.

May there be good fortune everywhere,

without encountering offences or harm.

May all days be good,

and all lunar mansions favorable.

All Buddhas possess majestic virtue;

all arhats have cut off the outflows of affliction.

Through these truthful words,

may I always be fortunate.’

The Buddha told Ananda: ‘When reciting this great sutra, say: “This Great Peacock Wisdom King was taught by the Buddha. Through divine power, please always protect me, benefit and embrace me, and become my support. May there be tranquility and good fortune, without calamity or illness, and no injury from blades, staffs, or poison. Following the Dharma, I establish the earth and directional boundaries and remove sorrow and trouble. May I live a hundred years and pass a hundred autumns.”’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, great yaksha kings and yaksha generals dwell beside the great ocean, on Sumeru and other mountains, in wilderness, rivers, streams, marshes, embankments, ponds, charnel grounds, caves, village lanes, crossroads, gardens, groves, trees, and other places. Some great yakshas dwell in the capital of King 阿拏挽多. Through this Buddha-Mother dharani, may all protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ Then he taught the dharani.

‘Furthermore, Ananda, in the east is the great heavenly king 持國, lord of gandharvas. With innumerable hundreds of thousands of gandharvas as his retinue, he guards the east. He has children, grandchildren, brothers, generals, ministers, and various messengers. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King Dharani, may he too protect me and my companions, remove sorrow and trouble, and grant a hundred-year life in which we see a hundred autumns. The dharani follows.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, in the south is the great heavenly king 增長, lord of kumbhandas. With innumerable hundreds of thousands of kumbhandas as his retinue, he guards the south. He has children, grandchildren, brothers, generals, ministers, and various messengers. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King Dharani, may he too protect me and my companions, remove sorrow and trouble, and grant a hundred-year life in which we see a hundred autumns. The dharani follows.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, in the west is the great heavenly king 廣目, lord of great dragons. With innumerable hundreds of thousands of great dragons as his retinue, he guards the west. He has children, grandchildren, brothers, generals, ministers, and various messengers. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King Dharani, may he too protect me and my companions, remove sorrow and trouble, and grant a hundred-year life in which we see a hundred autumns. The dharani follows.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, in the north is the great heavenly king 多聞, lord of yakshas. With innumerable hundreds of thousands of yakshas as his retinue, he guards the north. He has children, grandchildren, brothers, generals, ministers, and various messengers. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King Dharani, may he too protect me and my companions, remove sorrow and trouble, and grant a hundred-year life in which we see a hundred autumns. The dharani follows.’

‘The heavenly king of the east is 持國, of the south 增長, of the west 廣目, and of the north 多聞. Renowned as protectors of the world, these Four Heavenly Kings always guard the four directions, possessing great armies and majestic virtue. External enemies submit and no other enemy can invade. Their powers shine with light and they are always fearless. When gods and asuras fight, they assist the gods to victory and peace. Through this Wisdom King, may these great beings protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life without illness. The dharani follows.’

Gods, asuras, yakshas, and others,

you who have come to hear the Dharma, attend wholeheartedly.

Protect the Buddha’s teaching so it endures long,

and each diligently practice the World-Honored One’s teaching.

All listeners who have come here,

whether on earth or dwelling in the sky,

always arouse kindness toward the human world,

and by day and night maintain yourselves according to the Dharma.

May all worlds always be peaceful,

and boundless blessing and wisdom benefit beings.

May every obstruction of offences be removed,

and may all leave suffering and return to complete nirvana.

Always purify the body with the fragrance of precepts,

always sustain it in the robe of meditation,

adorn every part with the wondrous flowers of awakening,

and wherever you dwell, always be peaceful and joyful.

Sutra of the Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, first fascicle

Sutra of the Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, middle fascicle

Translated by imperial command by Amoghavajra, the Tripitaka monk of Daxingshan Monastery: granted the honors Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Tejin, acting Honglu Qing, Duke of Su with a fief of three thousand households and the purple robe; posthumously honored as Sikong, titled Dajian, with the formal name Daguangzhi.

The Buddha told Ananda: ‘Recite the names of the great yaksha kings and generals. They are as follows.’

‘The eldest son of 矩吠囉

is named 珊逝耶.

He always rides upon a human bearer,

dwelling in the country of 弭癡羅.

Because he possesses the true power of heaven,

all people petition him with their wishes.

‘Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra, may he too protect me and my companions, remove sorrow and trouble, and grant a hundred-year life in which we see a hundred autumns.’ Then the mantra is taught.

The deity named 羯句忖那

dwells in 波吒梨子.

阿跋羅爾多,

dwells in 窣土奴 (town).

The great yaksha named 賢善

dwells in 世羅 (city).

The great deity named 摩那波

always dwells in the northern region.

The great sage Vajrapani

dwells in 王舎 (city).

is always on Vulture Peak,

taking it as his dwelling.

The great garuda deity

dwells in 毘富羅 (mountain).

質怛囉笈多,

dwells in 質底目溪.

The yaksha named 薄俱羅

dwells in 王舎 (city).

leads attendants and companions,

possessing great wondrous power.

The greater and lesser black yakshas

dwells in 劫比羅 (city).

This is where the sage of the Shakya lineage,

the great teacher, was born.

The great yaksha named 斑足

dwells in 吠囉耶 (city).

The yaksha named 摩醯首

dwells in 止羅多 (country).

勿賀娑鉢底,

dwells in 舎衛 (city).

The yaksha named 娑梨囉

dwells in 娑雞多.

The yaksha named 金剛杖

dwells in 毘舎離 (country).

訶里氷蘖囉,

dwells in 力士 (city).

The yaksha king named 大黒

dwells in 婆羅拏斯 (country).

The yaksha named 善現

dwells in 占波 (city).

The yaksha named 吠史怒

dwells in 墮羅 (country).

The yaksha named 馱羅抳

dwells in 護門 (country).

The yaksha named 可畏形

dwells in 銅色 (country).

The yaksha named 末達那

dwells in 烏洛迦 (city).

The general named 呵吒薄俱

dwells in the forest in the wilderness.

The yaksha named 劫比羅

dwells in 多稲 (city).

The great yaksha named 護世

dwells in 嗢逝尼 (country).

The deity named 韈蘇歩底

dwells in 阿羅挽底.

The yaksha deity named 水天

dwells in 婆盧羯泚 (country).

The great yaksha named 歓喜

dwells in 歓喜 (city).

The yaksha deity named 持鬘

dwells in 勝水 (country).

The yaksha named 阿難陀

dwells in 末羅鉢吒 (country).

The yaksha named 白牙歯

dwells in 勝妙 (city).

The yaksha named 堅固

dwells in 末娑底 (country).

The yaksha king named 大山

dwells in the mountain city.

The yaksha named 婆颯婆

dwells in 吠儞勢.

The yaksha named 羯底雞

dwells in 嚧呬多 (country).

This youthful yaksha

is renowned in the great capital.

The great yaksha named 百臂

dwells in 頻陀 (mountain).

The yaksha deity named 広車

dwells in 羯陵伽 (country).

The yaksha named 能征戦

dwells in 窣鹿近那 (country).

The great yaksha named 雄猛

dwells in 遏祖那 (grove).

The yaksha named 曼拏波

dwells in 末達那 (country).

The yaksha deity named 山峰

dwells in 摩臘婆.

The yaksha named 魯捺囉

dwells in 嚧呬多馬 (town).

The yaksha named 一切食

dwells in 奢羯羅.

The deity named 波利得迦

dwells in 少智洛雞.

The merchant leader 財自在

dwells in 難勝 (country).

峰牙 and 世賢

dwells in 跋娑底耶 (country).

The yaksha king named 尸婆

dwells in 食尸婆 (city).

The yaksha named 寂静賢

dwells in 可畏 (country).

The yaksha named 因陀羅

dwells in 因陀羅 (country).

The yaksha lord named 華幢

dwells in 寂静 (city).

The yaksha named 那嚕迦

dwells in 那嚕迦 (city).

The yaksha named 劫比羅

always dwell in towns and cities.

宝賢 and 満賢

dwells in 梵摩伐底.

The yaksha named 能摧他

dwells in 建陀羅 (country).

The great yaksha named 能壊

dwells in 得叉尸羅.

The yaksha deity named 驢皮

dwells in 吐 (mountain).

The yaksha lord named 三蜜

dwells in 阿努波 (riverbank).

The yaksha named 発光明

dwells in 盧鹿迦 (city).

The yaksha deity named 喜長

dwells in 呬隅摧 (country).

The yaksha named 婆以盧

dwells in 婆以地.

The yaksha named 愛闘諍

dwells in 濫波 (city).

The yaksha named 蘖踏婆

dwells in 末土羅 (city).

The yaksha king named 缾腹

dwells in 楞伽 (city).

The yaksha named 日光明

dwells in 蘇那 (country).

The yaksha named 屼頭山

dwells in 憍薩羅 (country).

The deity named 勝 and 大勝

dwells in 半尼 (country).

The great yaksha named 円満

dwells in 末羅耶 (country).

The yaksha named 緊那羅

dwells in 計羅多 (country).

The yaksha king named 護雲

dwells in 伴拏 (country).

The yaksha named 謇拏迦

dwells in 安立 (country).

The yaksha named 僧迦離

dwells in 必登蘗哩.

The yaksha deity named 引楽

dwells in 怛楞蘗底.

The yaksha named 孫陀羅

dwells in 那斯雞 (country).

The yaksha named 阿僧伽

dwells in 婆盧羯車.

The great yaksha 難儞,

and his child 難儞迦—

these two yaksha kings

dwells in 羯訶吒迦.

The great yaksha named 垂腹

dwells in 羯陵伽 (country).

The yaksha king named 大臂

dwells in 憍薩羅 (country).

The deity named 娑悉底迦

dwells in 娑底羯吒 (country).

The yaksha named 波洛伽

always dwells in the forest.

The great yaksha named 賢耳

dwells in 怛胝肩 (country).

The yaksha deity named 勝財

dwells in 陸満 (country).

The great yaksha named 気力

dwells in 毘囉莫迦.

The yaksha deity named 喜見

dwells in 阿般底 (country).

The yaksha named 尸騫馱

dwells in 牛摧 (country).

The yaksha named 愛合掌

dwells in 吠儞勢.

陛瑟致得迦,

dwells in 蓋形 (country).

The yaksha named 調摩竭

dwells in 三層 (country).

The yaksha deity named 広目

dwells in 一腋 (country).

The yaksha named 安拏婆

dwells in 優曇跋羅 (country).

The yaksha named 無功用

dwells in 憍閃彌羅.

The deity named 微盧者那

dwells in 寂静意 (city).

The deity named 遮羅底迦

dwells in 蛇蓋 (country).

The yaksha named 赤黄色

dwells in 剣畢離 (country).

The yaksha named 薄俱囉

dwells in 嗢逝訶那.

The yaksha named 布喇拏

dwells in 曼拏比 (country).

The deity named 𩕳迦謎沙

dwells in 半遮離 (city).

The great yaksha named 難摧

dwells in 蘖度娑 (country).

The yaksha deity named 堅頬

dwells in 水天 (country).

The deity named 脯闌逝野

dwells in 闘戦 (country).

The yaksha 怛洛迦 and

俱怛洛迦—

these two great yaksha kings

dwells in 俱盧 (region).

大烏嚧佉羅 and

迷佉羅—

these two yaksha kings

possessing majestic virtue and renown,

together with their companions,

likewise dwell in the region of 俱盧.

The deity 微帝播底 and

義成就—

these two yaksha kings

dwells in 阿曳底 (grove).

The yaksha named 往成就

dwells in 窣鹿近那.

The yaksha named 窣吐羅

dwells in 窣吐羅 (country).

虎力 and 師子力,

and 大師子力,

The great general named 俱胝年

dwells in 他勝 (palace).

The yaksha deity named 華歯

dwells in 占波 (city).

The yaksha named 摩竭陀

dwells in 山行処.

The yaksha named 鉢跋多

dwells in 瞿瑜伽.

The yaksha named 蘇曬那

dwells in 那羯羅 (country).

The great yaksha named 勇臂

dwells in 娑雞多 (town).

The yaksha named 能引楽

dwells in 哥乾底.

The yaksha named 無労倦

dwells in 憍閃彌 (country).

The yaksha deity named 賢善

dwells in 賢善 (country).

The yaksha named 歩多面

dwells in 波吒離子.

The great yaksha named 無憂

dwells in 迦遮 (country).

The deity named 羯徵羯吒

dwells in 菴婆瑟侘.

The yaksha named 成就義

dwells in 天腋 (country).

The yaksha named 曼那迦

dwells in 難勝 (country).

The yaksha deity named 解髪

dwells in 勝水 (country).

The yaksha deity named 宝林

dwells in 先陀婆 (country).

The yaksha named 常謹護

dwells in 劫毘羅 (country).

羯吒 and 微羯吒

dwells in 迦毘羅衛 (country).

The yaksha deity named 慳悋

dwells in 乾陀羅 (country).

The yaksha deity named 墮羅

dwells in 膩攞耶堅.

The yaksha deity named 処中

dwells in 賢善名称.

The yaksha named 吠璃瑠

dwells in 堅実 (city).

The yaksha named 染薄迦

dwells in the sandy wasteland.

The great yaksha 舎多 and

毘羯吒—

these two yaksha deities

dwells in 物那擿迦.

The deity named 毘摩尼迦

dwells in 提婆設摩.

The yaksha named 曼陀羅

dwells in 捺羅那 (country).

The yaksha deity named 作光

dwells in 羯濕彌羅 (country).

The yaksha named 占博迦

dwells in 羯吒 (city).

The yaksha named 半支迦

dwells in 羯濕彌羅 (country).

has five hundred children,

possessing a great army and great strength.

The eldest son is named 肩目,

dwells in 支那 (country).

while the other brothers

dwells in 憍尸迦 (country).

The yaksha deity named 牙足

dwells in 羯陵迦 (country).

The yaksha named 曼荼羅

dwells in 曼荼薬 (country).

The deity named 楞伽自在

dwells in 迦畢試.

The yaksha named 摩利支

dwells in 羅摩脚差.

The deity named 達摩波羅

dwells in 疎勒.

The yaksha deity named 大肩

dwells in 薄佉羅 (country).

Bishamonten’s son

possesses many virtues and majesty,

dwells in 覩火羅.

possesses a great army and great strength,

and has one koti of yakshas

as his retinue.

The yaksha of Mount 娑多 and

the deity of the Snow Mountains—

these two great yakshas

dwells in 辛都 (riverbank).

The yaksha named 執三戟

dwells in the three-story palace.

The great yaksha named 能摧

dwells in 羯陵伽 (country).

半遮羅獻拏,

dwells in 達彌拏 (country).

The yaksha named 財自在

dwells in 師子 (country).

The yaksha named 鸚鵡口

dwells in the wilderness.

The yaksha named 兢羯娑

always dwells underground.

The yaksha named 有光明

dwells in 白蓮華 (country).

The yaksha named 設弭羅

dwells in the great capital.

The yaksha named 能破他

dwells in 捺羅泥 (country).

The yaksha named 氷蘖羅

dwells in 菴末離 (country).

The yaksha named 末末拏

dwells in 末末拏蔵 (country).

The yaksha named 摩怛哩

dwells in 施欲 (country).

The yaksha deity named 極覚

dwells in 布底嚩吒 (country).

那吒矩韈囉,

dwells in 迦畢試.

The deity named 鉢囉設囉

dwells in 鉢羅多 (country).

The yaksha named 商羯羅

dwells in 爍迦.

毘摩質多羅,

dwells in 莫里迦 (city).

The yaksha named 氷羯羅

dwells in 羯得迦 (country).

The yaksha deity named 満面

dwells in 奔拏韈達那.

The yaksha named 羯囉羅

dwells in 烏長 (country).

The yaksha deity named 甕腹

dwells in 憍薩羅 (country).

The great deity named 摩竭幢

dwells in the sandy wasteland.

質怛羅細那,

dwells in 僕迦那 (country).

The yaksha named 囉嚩拏

dwells in 羅摩陀 (country).

The yaksha named 赤黄色

dwells in 羅尸那 (country).

The yaksha deity named 楽見

dwells in 鉢尼耶 (country).

The yaksha named 金毘囉

dwells in 王舎 (city).

is always at 毘富羅,

possesses a great army and great strength,

and has ten thousand kotis of yakshas

as his retinue.

The yaksha named 瞿波羅

dwells in 蛇蓋 (country).

The yaksha named 頞洛迦

dwells in 頞洛迦 (city).

The yaksha deity named 難提

dwells in 難提 (country).

The great heavenly deity named 末里

dwells in village and town lanes.

Bishamonten dwells

where the Buddha descended the jeweled stairway, and

in the city of 遏拏挽多,

surrounded by a vast multitude of deities.

Such yakshas

possesses a great army and great strength,

subdue hostile enemies,

and none can defeat them.

Their renown fills every direction,

and they possess great majestic virtue.

When gods and asuras

fight, they provide assistance.

‘These blessed deities and great yaksha generals uphold the Buddha’s teaching throughout Jambudvipa, all arousing kindness. Through this Buddha-Mother mantra, may they always protect, embrace, benefit, and pacify me, removing every calamity. May injury by blades or staffs, poison, oppression by rulers, bandits, water, or fire, possession by gods, dragons, or yakshas, and the many spirits spreading harmful illness, through 畢隷索迦, remain far from me and my companions. I establish the earth boundary and boundaries of the four directions and corners, recite this sutra to remove sorrow and trouble, and aspire to a hundred-year life and a hundred autumns.’ Then the mantra is taught.

‘Deities, please always protect me and my companions; may we live a hundred years and see a hundred autumns.’

The Buddha told Ananda: ‘There are also names of twenty-eight yaksha generals. Recite them. They shelter all beings throughout the ten directions, removing decline, calamity, and disaster. Four live in the east, protecting all eastern beings and freeing them from sorrow and suffering. Their names follow.’

Names: 儞伽、蘇甯怛囉、布囉拏迦、劫比攞.

‘Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ State the desired matter here; all following passages follow this example.

‘Ananda, four yaksha generals dwell in the south, protecting all beings there and freeing them from sorrow and suffering. Their names follow.’

Names: 僧賀、塢跛僧賀、餉企攞、難那.

‘Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ State the desired matter here.

‘Ananda, four yaksha generals dwell in the west, protecting all beings there and freeing them from sorrow and suffering. Their names follow.’

Names: 賀囉、賀哩計爍、鉢囉僕、劫比羅.

‘Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ State the desired matter here.

‘Ananda, four yaksha generals dwell in the north, protecting all beings there and freeing them from sorrow and suffering. Their names follow.’

Names: 馱羅拏、馱囉難弩、嗢儞庾業播路、尾瑟弩.

‘Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ State the desired matter here.

‘Ananda, four yaksha generals dwell in the four corners, protecting all beings there and freeing them from sorrow and suffering. Their names follow.’

Names: 半止脚、半者羅巘拏、娑跢儗哩、彥麼嚩多.

‘Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ State the desired matter here.

‘Ananda, four yaksha generals dwell in the earth, protecting all beings there and freeing them from sorrow and suffering. Their names follow.’

Names: 歩莫、蘇歩莫、迦囉、塢跛迦囉.

‘Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ State the desired matter here.

‘Ananda, four yaksha generals dwell in the sky, protecting all beings there and freeing them from sorrow and suffering. Their names follow.’

Names: 素哩野、素謨、阿儗𩕳、嚩庾.

‘Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ State the desired matter here.

‘Furthermore, Ananda, recite the names of the generals who are brothers of Heavenly King Tamon. They travel through the world, bringing great benefit by protecting all beings and removing calamities, disasters, sorrow, and suffering. Their names follow.’

Names: 印捺囉、素摩、嚩嚕拏、鉢囉惹跛底、婆囉納縛惹、伊舎那、室戰那諾、迦莫、室㘑瑟姹、矩𩕳建姹、𩕳建姹迦、嚩膩麼抳、麼抳者囉、鉢囉、鉢囉拏那、塢跛半止去、娑跢儗哩、彥麼嚩多、布囉拏、佉儞羅、句尾諾、遇跛囉薬叉、阿吒嚩句、曩囉邏闍、爾捺乞灑、半者囉巘拏、蘇母契、儞伽薬叉、薩跛哩惹諾、唧怛囉細曩、濕嚩彥達嚩、底哩頗哩、左怛哩建吒迦、儞伽爍底、室左麼多哩.

‘These yakshas command great armies, govern deities, possess great might and radiance, have well-formed appearances, and are widely renowned. They are Heavenly King Tamon’s brothers in the Dharma. He always commands them: “If spirits assail and disturb someone, protect that person, prevent disturbance, and bring peace.” Hearing this, the yakshas act according to the instruction.’

‘Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may these yaksha generals protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life. Whenever disputes or suffering arise before me, may they always protect us and free us from sorrow. If possessed by gods, dragons, asuras, marutas, garudas, gandharvas, kimnaras, mahoragas, yakshas, or rakshasas, or bewitched by pretas, pishachas, bhutas, kumbhandas, putanas, kataputanas, skandas, umadas, chayas, apasmaras, ustarakas, nakshatras, or lepas—may the Buddha-Mother protect us from all such possession and bewilderment, freeing us from sorrow and trouble and granting a hundred-year life.’

‘There are also many spirits: eaters of vitality, fetuses, blood, flesh, fat, marrow, living beings, life, ritual offerings, breath, incense, garlands, flowers, fruit, crop seedlings, fire offerings, pus, feces, urine, tears and saliva, drool, nasal mucus, leftovers, vomit, impure matter, and leaking fluids. When these spirits disturb us, may the Buddha-Mother protect me and my companions, free us from sorrow and suffering, and grant a hundred-year life, a hundred autumns, and constant peace. If someone practices poisonous sorcery, bewitchment, curses, or harmful rites—those called 訖㗚底迦, 羯麼拏, 迦具㗚那, 枳囉拏, 吠跢拏, 賀嚩娜多, and 嗢度跢多; drinking others’ blood and marrow, transforming people into servants, summoning spirits, performing harmful deeds; harmful food, vomit, shadows, gazes, written curses, leaps, crossings, or transgressions—protect us from all these acts and free us from sorrow. There are fears of rulers, bandits, water, fire, foreign armies, robbery or murder by harmful friends, enemies, famine, premature death, earthquakes, and beasts. Protect me from all such fears.’

‘There are also many illnesses: scabies, leprosy, boils, ringworm, hemorrhoids, fistulas, swellings, darkened dry skin, indigestion, headache or migraine, pain of eyes, ears, nose, mouth, lips, cheeks, teeth, tongue, throat, chest, sides, back, heart, abdomen, waist, lower abdomen, thighs, knees, hands, feet, genitals, wasting, dehydration, and pain throughout the body. May all these pains be removed. May every intermittent fever—recurring after one, two, three, four, or seven days, half a month, or a month; daily or temporary; persistent fever, illnesses called henja, goiters, spirit-caused high fever, disorders of wind, bile, or phlegm, their combination, the four hundred and four illnesses, and every fever—be extinguished completely. I now establish earth and directional boundaries, recite this sutra, and bring peace. Svaha.’

Then he spoke another verse:

‘Grant me peace by night,

and peace also by day;

at every time,

may the Buddhas protect me and hold me in their care.’

‘Ananda, there are also twelve great pishacha women. Recite their names. They always protect a bodhisattva in the womb, at birth, and after birth. Their names follow.’

Names: 覽麼、尾覽麼、鉢囉覽麼、塢覽麼、賀哩底、賀哩計試、賀哩氷蘖攞、迦哩、迦囉里、劍母仡哩嚩、迦枳、迦攞戍娜哩者.

‘These female spirits possess great divine power, great radiance, well-formed appearances, and widespread renown, and display great might when gods and asuras fight. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ The mantra follows.

‘Ananda, there are also eight great female spirits. Recite their names. They always protect a bodhisattva in the womb, at birth, and after birth. Their names follow.’

Names: 末那、麼娜曩、麼怒得迦吒、塢跛末娜、畢隷底、污惹賀哩、阿捨𩕳、仡囉薩寧制底.

‘These female spirits possess great divine power, great radiance, well-formed appearances, and widespread renown, and display great might when gods and asuras fight. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ The mantra follows.

‘Ananda, there are also seven great female spirits. Recite their names. They always protect a bodhisattva in the womb, at birth, and after birth. Their names follow.’

Names: 阿麌嚕儞迦、囉乞史底迦、質怛囉比舎止迦、布囉拏跋捺哩迦、阿儗𩕳囉乞史底迦、蜜怛囉迦里迦、乙㗚史囉乞史底迦、制底.

‘These female spirits constantly eat blood and flesh and trouble people, yet possess great divine power, great radiance, well-formed appearances, and widespread renown, and display great might when gods and asuras fight. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ The mantra follows.

‘Ananda, there are also five great female spirits. Recite their names. They always protect a bodhisattva in the womb, at birth, and after birth. Their names follow.’

Names: 君姹、𩕳君姹、難娜、尾史努攞、劫比攞.

‘These female spirits possess great divine power, great radiance, well-formed appearances, and widespread renown, and display great might when gods and asuras fight. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ The mantra follows.

‘Ananda, there are also eight great rakshasi women. Recite their names. They always protect a bodhisattva in the womb, at birth, and after birth. Their names follow.’

Names: 謨賀、蘇試麼、矩舎乞史、計矢𩕳、劍冒餌、蘇蜜怛囉、路呬跢乞史、迦者囉.

‘These rakshasi women possess great divine power, great radiance, well-formed appearances, and widespread renown; they display great might when gods and asuras fight. They constantly seize boys and girls and eat their blood and flesh, entering houses with newborn children and empty houses, following lights, calling people’s names, and drawing away their vitality. Fearsome and startling, they lack kindness. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ The mantra follows.

‘Ananda, there are also ten great rakshasi women. Recite their names. They always protect a bodhisattva in the womb, at birth, and after birth. Their names follow.’

Names: 賀哩底羅刹女、難那羅刹女、𫥇蘖囉羅刹女、餉棄𩕳羅刹女、迦以迦羅刹女、禰嚩蜜怛羅羅刹女、禁婆羅羅刹女、君娜牙羅刹女、覽尾迦羅刹女、阿曩羅羅刹女.

‘These rakshasi women possess great divine power, great radiance, well-formed appearances, and widespread renown, and display great might when gods and asuras fight. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ The mantra follows.

‘Ananda, there are also twelve great rakshasi women. Recite their names. They always protect a bodhisattva in the womb, at birth, and after birth. Their names follow.’

Names: 無主羅刹女、大海羅刹女、毒害羅刹女、施命羅刹女、明智羅刹女、持弓羅刹女、持爍底羅刹女、持刀羅刹女、持犁羅刹女、持輪羅刹女、輪團羅刹女、可畏羅刹女.

‘These rakshasi women possess great divine power, great radiance, well-formed appearances, and widespread renown, and display great might when gods and asuras fight. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ The mantra follows.

‘Ananda, there are also twelve heavenly mothers. They constantly trouble, startle, and deceive beings. These mothers also always protect bodhisattvas in the womb, at birth, and after birth. Their names follow.’

Names: 沒囉憾銘、嘮捺哩、矯麼哩、吠瑟拏微、愛捺哩、嚩囉呬、矯吠哩、嚩嚕抳、夜弭野、嚩葉尾野、阿仡𩕳曳、摩賀迦離.

‘These heavenly mothers possess great divine power, great radiance, well-formed appearances, and widespread renown, and display great might when gods and asuras fight. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ The mantra follows.

‘Ananda, there is also a great pishachi named 一髻, a great rakshasi dwelling by the ocean. Scenting blood, she travels eighty thousand yojanas in one night. She always protects a bodhisattva in the womb, at birth, and afterward. Through this Buddha-Mother mantra, may she too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ The mantra follows.

‘Ananda, there are also seventy-three great rakshasi women. Recite their names. They always protect a bodhisattva in the womb, at birth, and after birth. Their names follow.’

Names: 劫比囉羅刹女、鉢努摩羅刹女、麼呬史羅刹女、謨哩迦羅刹女、娜膩迦羅刹女、入嚩攞𩕳羅刹女、答跛𩕳羅刹女、羯攞施羅刹女、尾麼羅羅刹女、馱囉抳羅刹女、賀哩室戰捺囉羅刹女、嚧呬抳羅刹女、摩哩支羅刹女、護跢捨𩕳羅刹女、嚩嚕抳羅刹女、迦離羅刹女、君惹羅羅刹女、末羅羅刹女、蘗散𩕳羅刹女、迦囉離羅刹女、摩蹬儗羅刹女、𫥇蘗羅羅刹女、頻拏囉羅刹女、具哩羅刹女、巘馱里羅刹女、矩伴膩羅刹女、迦𠻴儗羅刹女、婆囉𩕳羅刹女、末娜寧羅刹女、阿捨𩕳羅刹女、食胎羅刹女、食血羅刹女、包歯羅刹女、驚怖羅刹女、沒羅憾彌羅刹女、怛拏嶫播囉羅刹女、持金剛羅刹女、塞謇那羅刹女、答摩羅刹女、行雨羅刹女、震雷羅刹女、撃聲羅刹女、撃電羅刹女、足行羅刹女、炬口羅刹女、持地羅刹女、黒夜羅刹女、焰摩使羅刹女、無垢羅刹女、不動羅刹女、高髻羅刹女、百頭羅刹女、百臂羅刹女、百目羅刹女、常害羅刹女、摧破羅刹女、猫兒羅刹女、末拏囉羅刹女、夜行羅刹女、昼行羅刹女、愛粧羅刹女、忿怒羅刹女、留難羅刹女、持刀棒羅刹女、持三戟叉羅刹女、牙出羅刹女、意喜羅刹女、寂静羅刹女、燥暴羅刹女、難多羅刹女、呬林摩羅刹女、青色羅刹女、質怛囉羅刹女.

‘These seventy-three rakshasi women possess great divine power, great radiance, well-formed appearances, and widespread renown, and display great might when gods and asuras fight. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra, may they too protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’ The mantra follows.

‘Such great sacred formulas, mantras, boundaries, and protection can extinguish all harm, the text declares. Please break the harmful karma of spells and remove poisonous sorcery, spirits, and curses. Remove 具㗚那, 枳囉拏, 吠多拏, 質遮, and 畢㘑灑迦; remove 塞建那, 嗢麼那, 車耶, and 阿鉢娑麼囉. Remove madness, epilepsy, wasting, scabies, and leprosy; remove spirits and harmful devourers. Remove those drinking others’ blood or marrow, transforming people into servants, summoning spirits, and doing harm. Remove fears of rulers, bandits, water, fire, robbery or murder by harmful friends, enemies, foreign armies, famine, premature death, earthquakes, beasts, and death itself. Remove harmful food, vomit, shadows, gazes, written curses, leaps, crossings, and transgressions. Remove all intermittent fevers recurring after one, two, three, four, or seven days, half a month, or a month; daily, brief, or persistent fevers. Remove swellings, ringworm, hemorrhoids, fistulas, malignant swellings, illnesses called henja, goiters, spirit-caused high fever, disorders of wind, bile, or phlegm, their combination, and the four hundred and four illnesses. Remove headaches, migraines, indigestion, pains in eyes, ears, nose, mouth, lips, cheeks, teeth, tongue, throat, chest, sides, back, heart, belly, waist, abdomen, thighs, knees, hands, feet, private parts, and the entire body. Remove dragon poison, snake poison, medicinal poison, curse poison, and sorcerous or spirit poison; end every poison. When these spirits and illnesses arise, protect me and my companions, release us from everything, and grant a hundred-year life.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, mindfully recite the dragon kings’ names. Reciting these blessed dragon kings’ names brings great benefit. Their names follow.’

Names: 佛世尊龍王、梵天龍王、帝釋龍王、焰摩龍王、大海龍王、海子龍王、娑蘖囉龍王、娑蘖羅子龍王、摩竭龍王、難陀龍王、塢波難馱龍王、那羅龍王、小那羅龍王、善見龍王、婆蘇枳龍王、德叉迦龍王、阿嚕拏龍王、婆嚕拏龍王、師子龍王、有吉祥龍王、吉祥因龍王、吉祥增長龍王、吉祥賢龍王、無畏龍王、大力龍王、設臘婆龍王、妙臂龍王、妙高龍王、日光龍王、月光龍王、大吼龍王、震聲龍王、雷電龍王、擊發龍王、降雨龍王、無垢龍王、無垢光龍王、頞洛迦頭龍王、跋洛迦頭龍王、馬頭龍王、牛頭龍王、鹿頭龍王、象頭龍王、濕力龍王、歡喜龍王、奇妙龍王、妙眼龍王、妙軍龍王、護嚕拏龍王、那母止龍王、母止龍王、母止隣陀龍王、羅娑拏龍王、羅笈婆龍王、室里龍王、山孤龍王、濫母嚕龍王、有蠱龍王、無邊龍王、羯諾迦龍王、象羯磋龍王、黃色龍王、赤色龍王、白色龍王、𧫦囉葉龍王、商佉龍王、阿跛羅龍王、黑龍王、小黑龍王、力天龍王、那羅延龍王、劍麼羅龍王、石膊龍王、弶伽龍王、信度龍王、嚩芻龍王、枲多龍王、吉慶龍王、無熱惱池龍王、善住龍王、𧫦羅跋拏龍王、持地龍王、持山龍王、持光明龍王、賢善龍王、極賢善龍王、世賢龍王、力賢龍王、寶珠龍王、珠胭龍王、二黑龍王、二黃龍王、二赤龍王、二白龍王、花鬘龍王、赤花鬘龍王、犢子龍王、賢句龍王、鼓音龍王、小鼓音龍王、菴末羅津龍王、寶子龍王、持國龍王、增長龍王、廣目龍王、多聞龍王、車面龍王、占箄野迦龍王、驕答摩龍王、半遮羅龍王、五髻龍王、光明龍王、頻度龍王、小頻度龍王、阿力迦龍王、羯力迦龍王、跋力迦龍王、曠野龍王、緊質𩕳龍王、緊質迦龍王、緝馱迦龍王、黑驕答摩龍王、蘇麼那龍王、人龍王、根人龍王、上人龍王、摩蹬迦龍王、曼拏洛迦龍王、非人龍王、頞拏迦龍王、最勝龍王、難勝龍王、末攞迦龍王、阿嚕迦龍王、𧫦羅龍王、𧫦囉鉢拏龍王、阿囉婆路龍王、麼羅婆路龍王、摩那私龍王、羯句擿迦龍王、劫比羅龍王、勢婆洛迦龍王、青蓮華龍王、有爪龍王、增長龍王、解脫龍王、智慧龍王、極解脫龍王、毛緂馬勝二龍王、𧫦羅迷羅二龍王、難陀跋難陀二龍王、阿齒羅龍王、大善現龍王、遍黑龍王、遍虫龍王、妙面龍王、鏡面龍王、承迎龍王、巘馱囉龍王、師子洲龍王、達弭拏龍王、二黑龍王、二白龍王、二小白龍王.

‘With these great dragon kings at their head, their clans and retinues sometimes shake and resound the earth, sometimes emit light, and sometimes send beneficial rain to ripen crops. Having once met the Tathagata, received the three refuges and precepts, they escaped fear of garuda attacks, burning hot sand, and forced service to kings. Always supporting the earth and dwelling in great jeweled palaces, they are long-lived, powerful, prosperous, and free, with immeasurable retinues, extraordinary powers to defeat enemies, great radiance, well-formed appearances, and widespread renown. When gods and asuras fight, they help the gods prevail. Through this Buddha-Mother mantra, may their descendants, brothers, generals, ministers, and attendants protect me and my companions, free us from sorrow and suffering, and grant a hundred-year life. Whether pure or impure, intoxicated, confused, or heedless, walking, standing, sitting, lying down, sleeping, waking, going, or coming, protect us at every time. Keep far away fears of gods, dragons, asuras, marutas, garudas, gandharvas, kimnaras, mahoragas, yakshas, rakshasas, pretas, pishachas, bhutas, kumbhandas, putanas, kataputanas, skandas, umadas, chayas, apasmaras, and ustarakas. In every fear—rulers, bandits, water, fire, robbery or murder by harmful friends, enemies, foreign armies, famine, premature death, earthquakes, or beasts—release me and my companions from them all.’ Then another verse is spoken:

‘Grant me peace by night,

and good fortune also by day;

at every time,

may the Buddhas always protect me and hold me in their care.’

‘Brahmins cultivating pure conduct

can remove every harmful action.

I take refuge in such people.

Protect my body and my companions.’

Gods, asuras, yakshas, and others,

you who have come to hear the Dharma, settle your hearts.

Protect the Buddha’s teaching so it endures long,

and each diligently practice the World-Honored One’s teaching.

All listeners who have come here,

whether on earth or in the sky,

always arouse kindness toward the human world,

and by day and night dwell according to the Dharma.

May all worlds always be peaceful,

and boundless blessing and wisdom benefit all beings.

May every harmful deed disappear,

and may all leave suffering far behind and return to complete nirvana.

Always anoint and purify yourselves with fragrance,

always wear the robe of meditation,

and be adorned everywhere with the wondrous flowers of awakening.

Wherever you dwell, may you always be peaceful and joyful.

Sutra of the Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, middle fascicle

Sutra of the Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, final fascicle

Translated by imperial command by Amoghavajra, the Tripitaka monk of Daxingshan Monastery, granted the honors Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Tejin, acting Honglu Qing, Duke of Su with a fief of three thousand households and the purple robe; posthumously honored as Sikong, titled Dajian, with the formal name Daguangzhi.

The Buddha told Ananda: ‘The seven Buddhas of the past, rightly and universally knowing, also joyfully taught this Buddha-Mother mantra. Uphold it. Vipashyin Tathagata, rightly and universally knowing, joyfully taught this Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra as follows.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, Shikhin Tathagata, rightly and universally knowing, joyfully taught this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra as follows.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, Vishvabhu Tathagata, rightly and universally knowing, joyfully taught this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra as follows.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, Krakucchanda Tathagata, rightly and universally knowing, joyfully taught this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra as follows.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, Kanakamuni Tathagata, rightly and universally knowing, joyfully taught this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra as follows.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, Kashyapa Tathagata, rightly and universally knowing, joyfully taught this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra as follows.’

‘Ananda, I, Shakyamuni Tathagata, rightly and universally knowing, also joyfully teach this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra to benefit beings. It is as follows.’

‘Ananda, I have already instructed you to uphold this Buddha-Mother teaching to rescue the monk Shati from snake poison and bring him peace. As explained before, all beings reciting and upholding this sutra also gain great peace, a hundred-year life, and fulfillment of their wishes, the text declares.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, Maitreya Bodhisattva also joyfully taught this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra as follows.’

‘Ananda, Great Brahma, lord of the Saha world, also joyfully taught this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra as follows.’

‘Ananda, this mantra can destroy harmful poison and remove every kind of poison. The power of Buddhas, great bodhisattvas, solitary awakened ones, arhats, noble ones of the three fruits and four paths, and truthful speakers removes poison. The power of Brahma’s staff, Shakra’s vajra, Vishnu’s discus, Agni’s burning, Varuna’s noose, the asuras’ illusionist, dragon kings’ sacred formulas, Rudra’s trident, and Skanda’s spear removes poison. The Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King’s power removes every poison, sends it into the earth, and brings peace to me and my companions, the sutra declares.’

‘Ananda, there are further kinds of poison. Recite their names: 跋磋那婆 poison, 訶羅遏囉 poison, 迦羅俱吒 poison; poison of fangs, stings, roots, powder, suspicion, eyes, lightning, clouds, snakes, dragons, sorcery, spirits, mice, spiders, elephants, toads, flies, bees, humans, nonhumans, medicines, and curses. Please destroy all such poisons, removing them completely from me and my companions, granting peace, a hundred-year life, and a hundred autumns.’

‘Ananda, Shakra, king of heaven, also joyfully taught this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra as follows.’

‘Ananda, the Four Heavenly Kings also joyfully taught this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King mantra as follows.’

‘May I and my companions remain far from every spirit’s messenger, Yama’s messengers, the Black Night Mother, and those bearing black ropes. May we be far from punishment by the king of death, Brahma, Shakra, sages, gods, dragon kings, asuras, marutas, garudas, gandharvas, kimnaras, mahoragas, yakshas, rakshasas, pretas, pishachas, bhutas, kumbhandas, putanas, kataputanas, skandas, umadas, chayas, apasmaras, ustarakas, vetalas, rulers, bandits, water, and fire, and from blame anywhere and even minor punishment. Always protected, may we live a hundred years and see a hundred autumns.’

‘Ananda, mindfully recite the great river kings’ names. They follow.’

Names: 殑伽河王、信度河王、嚩芻河王、枲多河王、設臘部河王、阿爾囉伐底河王、琰母娜河王、句賀河王、尾怛娑多河王、設多訥嚕河王、微播捨河王、愛羅伐底河王、戰捺囉婆誐河王、薩囉娑底河王、羯縒比𩕳河王、盃喻史抳河王、迦尾哩河王、擔沒囉鉢拏河王、末度末底河王、益芻伐底河王、遇末底河王、捺末娜河王、燥蜜怛囉河王、尾濕嚩蜜怛囉河王、阿麼囉河王、跢麼囉河王、半者囉河王、素婆窣堵河王、鉢囉婆捺哩迦河王、答布多河王、尾麼囉河王、遇娜嚩哩河王、泥連善那河王、呬囒孃伐底河王.

‘These great river kings dwell upon this earth. At their rivers are gods, dragons, asuras, marutas, garudas, gandharvas, kimnaras, mahoragas, yakshas, rakshasas, pretas, pishachas, bhutas, kumbhandas, putanas, kataputanas, skandas, umadas, chayas, apasmaras, and ustarakas. There are also eaters of vitality, fetuses, blood, flesh, fat, marrow, living existence, life, ritual offerings, breath, incense, garlands, flowers, fruit, crops, fire offerings, pus, feces, urine, nasal mucus and saliva, drool, mucus, leftovers, vomit, impure things, and leaking fluids.’

‘Spirits of these many forms and colors, changing their bodies at will, dwell along those rivers. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they all protect me and my companions, free us from sorrow and suffering, and grant a hundred-year life and constant peace.’

‘Ananda, mindfully recite the great mountain kings’ names. They follow.’

Names: 妙高山王、雪山王、香醉山王、百峯山王、朅地洛迦山王、金脇山王、持光山王、𩕳泯達羅山王、輪圍山王、大輪圍山王、因陀羅石山王、梵宅山王、有吉祥山王、善現山王、廣大山王、出寶山王、多蟲山王、寶頂山王、出金剛山王、阿蘇羅巖山王、毘摩質多羅山王、電光山王、馬乳山王、月光山王、日光山王、摩羅耶山王、頻陀山王、賢石山王、質怛囉矩吒山王、金峯山王、播哩耶怛羅山王、妙臂山王、有摩尼山王、蘇曬那山王、梵觜山王、智淨山王、牛耳山王、摩羅質怛羅山王、劍形山王、炎熱山王、安繕那山王、積聚山王、鹿色山王、達達山王、罽羅娑山王、大帝山王.

‘These great mountain kings are upon this earth. May the gods, dragons, asuras, marutas, garudas, gandharvas, kimnaras, mahoragas, yakshas, rakshasas, pretas, pishachas, bhutas, kumbhandas, putanas, kataputanas, skandas, umadas, chayas, apasmaras, ustarakas, great mantra-bearing sages, and their attendants and companions dwelling there all, through this Buddha-Mother, protect me and my companions, grant a hundred-year life, remove harm, let us always see good fortune, and free us from sorrow and trouble.’ Then another verse is spoken:

‘Grant me peace by night,

and peace also by day;

at every time,

may the Buddhas always protect me and hold me in their care.’

‘Ananda, mindfully recite the names of the lunar-mansion deities. Possessing great power, they constantly travel through the sky, displaying signs of good and ill fortune. Their names follow.’

‘The lunar mansions Mao and Bi,

Zi, Shen, and Jing;

Gui brings good fortune,

and Liu is the seventh.’

‘These seven mansions dwell at the eastern gate and guard the east. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they always protect me and my companions, grant a hundred-year life, and free us from sorrow and trouble.’

‘The mansion Xing crushes enemies,

and Zhang and Yi do likewise;

Zhen, Jiao, and Kang;

Di is in the seventh place.’

‘These seven mansions dwell at the southern gate and guard the south. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they always protect me and my companions, grant a hundred-year life, and free us from sorrow and trouble.’

‘The mansion Fang has great majestic virtue,

and Xin and Wei do likewise;

Ji, Dou, and Niu;

Nü is the seventh.’

‘These seven mansions dwell at the western gate and guard the west. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they always protect me and my companions, grant a hundred-year life, and free us from sorrow and trouble.’

‘The mansions Xu and Wei,

Shi and Bi,

Kui and Lou;

Wei, the Stomach mansion, comes last.’

‘These seven mansions dwell at the northern gate and guard the north. Through this Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, may they always protect me and my companions, grant a hundred-year life, and free us from sorrow and trouble.’

‘Ananda, mindfully recite the nine luminaries’ names. As these deities travel through the twenty-eight mansions, they alter the length of day and night and first show signs of all prosperity, scarcity, suffering, and happiness in the world. Their names follow.’

‘Sun, Moon, and Mars,

Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus,

Saturn, Rahu, and the Comet—

all are called luminaries.’

‘These nine luminaries have great power and can show good and ill fortune. Through this Buddha-Mother, may they always protect me and my companions, grant a hundred-year life, and free us from sorrow and trouble.’ A further verse praises the lunar mansions:

‘There are twenty-eight mansions,

seven in each of the four directions.

There are also seven luminaries,

making nine with sun and moon.

Together they are thirty-seven,

courageous and of great wondrous power.

Rising and setting, they illuminate the world,

showing signs of its good and harm,

lengthening and shortening day and night,

possessing might and great radiance.

All with pure hearts

rejoice in this sacred formula.’

‘Through this Buddha-Mother, may all these lunar-mansion deities always protect me and my companions and grant a hundred-year life.’

‘Ananda, mindfully recite the great sages’ names. These sages keep perfected disciplines, constantly practice austerities, possess majestic virtue and great light, and dwell in mountains, rivers, woods, or thickets. When intending good or harm and pronouncing blessings or misfortune, events occur according to their words. They freely employ the five extraordinary powers, travel through the sky, and act without obstruction. Recite their names, which follow.’

Names: 阿瑟吒迦大仙、嚩麼迦大仙、嚩麼禰嚩大仙、摩利支大仙、末建嬭耶大仙、種種友大仙、婆私瑟侘大仙、跋臘弭迦大仙、迦葉波大仙、老迦葉波大仙、勃陵隅大仙、勃哩囉娑大仙、鴦儗羅大仙、婆儗囉娑大仙、阿怛𡃤耶大仙、補攞悉底耶大仙、鹿頭大仙、焰摩火大仙、洲子大仙、黑洲子大仙、賀哩多大仙、賀哩多子大仙、等聲大仙、高勇大仙、等高勇大仙、說忍大仙、名稱大仙、善名稱大仙、尊重大仙、黃大仙、補怛洛迦大仙、阿濕嚩攞野那大仙、香山大仙、雪山大仙、赤目大仙、難住大仙、吠陜播野那大仙、嚩攬弭迦大仙、能施大仙、訥麼娑大仙、設臘婆大仙、麼努大仙、主宰大仙、帝釋大仙、歲星大仙、嬌大仙、光大仙、鸚鵡大仙、阿羅禰彌大仙、鎮星大仙、辰星大仙、持毒大仙、乾陀羅大仙、獨角大仙、仙角大仙、蘖誐大仙、單拏野那大仙、建姹野那大仙、烟頂大仙、可畏大仙、劫比羅大仙、喬答摩大仙、摩蹬伽大仙、朱眼大仙、妙眼大仙、娜羅娜大仙、山居大仙、訖哩弭囉大仙.

‘These are all great sages of antiquity, composers of the four Vedic treatises, skilled in spells, accomplished in practices, and benefiting self and others alike. Through this Buddha-Mother, may they too protect me and my companions, grant a hundred-year life, and free us from sorrow and trouble.’ Then the mantra is taught.

‘Ananda, mindfully recite the names of the great poisons upon this earth. They follow.’

Names: 頞拏囉、半拏囉、迦囉攞、計庾囉、部蹬誐麼、部多鉢底、泯努鉢底、悉哩鉢底、帝惹鉢底、帝祖仡囉鉢底、拽戍鉢底、拽戍仡囉鉢底、阿囉拏、跢囉拏、阿囉𧹞、怛囉拏、難跢諾賀、濟賀濟邏、發邏麌邏、止囉難覩囉、伊哩枳止迦、捨且覩囉、尾補里、曩矩哩、枳哩比、怛郎誐哩瑟吒、闇母麼底、昝母麼底、麼麼麼底、迦麼黎、尾麼黎、軍拏黎、阿四覩呬、嚩計、嚩迦拏帝、嚩捺曩陛、麼賀誐黎、覩覽迷、蘇覽迷.

‘Ananda, through this Buddha-Mother, may these great poisons and medicinal deities too protect me and my companions, grant a hundred-year life, and free us from all poisonous harm.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, this Buddha-Mother teaching was spoken by the seven rightly and universally knowing Tathagatas: Vipashyin, Shikhin, Vishvabhu, Krakucchanda, Kanakamuni, Kashyapa, and I, Shakyamuni. All joyfully taught it, as did Maitreya Bodhisattva. Great Brahma, lord of the Saha world, Shakra, the Four Heavenly Kings—Dhritarashtra, lord of gandharvas; Virudhaka, lord of kumbhandas; Virupaksha, lord of dragons; and Vaishravana, lord of yakshas—and twenty-eight great yaksha generals also joyfully taught this mantra. General Sanjika, Mother Hariti, her five hundred children, and their companions likewise taught it. None can defy it: gods, dragons, asuras, marutas, garudas, gandharvas, kimnaras, mahoragas, yakshas, rakshasas, pretas, pishachas, bhutas, kumbhandas, putanas, kataputanas, skandas, umadas, chayas, apasmaras, ustarakas, or any spirits. Nor can harmful devourers of vitality, fetuses, blood, flesh, fat, marrow, living existence, life, ritual offerings, breath, incense, garlands, flowers, fruit, crops, fire offerings, pus, feces, urine, nasal mucus and saliva, drool, mucus, leftovers, vomit, impure things, or leaking fluids. Nor can practitioners of poisonous sorcery, bewitchment, curses, and spells—訖㗚底迦, 羯麼拏, 迦具㗚那, 枳刺拏, 吠跢拏, 質者, and 畢㘑灑迦—defy it. Nor can those drinking others’ blood and marrow, transforming people into servants, summoning spirits, doing harm, using harmful food, vomit, shadows, gazes, written curses, leaps, crossings, or transgressions. Rulers, bandits, water, fire, foreign armies, famine, premature death, earthquakes, beasts, enemies, and harmful friends cannot defy it and all depart. So do illnesses: scabies, leprosy, swellings, ringworm, hemorrhoids, fistulas, malignant swellings, darkened rough skin, indigestion, headache, migraine, pain of eyes, ears, nose, lips, mouth, cheeks, teeth, tongue, throat, chest, sides, back, heart, abdomen, waist, thighs, spleen, knees, hands, feet, private parts, wasting, dehydration, and the whole body. Nor can intermittent fevers recurring after one, two, three, four, or seven days, half a month, or a month; daily, brief, or persistent fever, illnesses called henja, goiters, spirit-caused high fever, disorders of wind, bile, or phlegm, their combination, or the four hundred and four illnesses defy this Buddha-Mother, the sutra declares.’

‘Ananda, spirits, humans and nonhumans, harmful poison, inauspicious things, illnesses, spirits and their messengers, enemy-related fears, poisons, spells, and curses cannot defy Mahamayuri, the Buddha-Mother Wisdom King. One remains far from unwholesome deeds, gains great good fortune, receives the sages’ blessings, and obtains what is sought, the sutra declares.’

‘Furthermore, Ananda, even briefly reciting this Buddha-Mother’s name protects oneself and others. Tying a thread cord and wearing it, a person facing death receives a fine instead; one facing a fine receives light beating; one facing light beating receives rebuke; one facing rebuke is spontaneously spared, and hardships disappear. The text says this person is unharmed by rulers, bandits, water, fire, poison, blades, or staffs; humans, gods, and spirits do not dare oppose them; sleeping and waking are peaceful, fears depart, merit increases, and life is extended.’

‘Ananda, except for those who must inevitably receive the result of fixed karma from former lives, reciting this sutra surely brings a sign,’ the text states.

‘Ananda, reciting this sutra in drought or prolonged rain delights the dragons: prolonged rain clears, drought brings rain, and the seeker’s wish is fulfilled,’ the text states.

‘Ananda, even briefly remembering this Buddha-Mother removes fears, enemies, and calamities; how much more will complete recitation and upholding bring peace,’ the text states.

‘Ananda, Mahamayuri, the Buddha-Mother Wisdom King, removes calamity and pacifies enemies, protecting the fourfold assembly—monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers—and freeing them from fear.’ Then the mantra is taught.

‘Greed, anger, and ignorance

are the three poisons of the world.

The Buddhas have already cut them off.

Through these truthful words, poison disappears.

Greed, anger, and ignorance

are the three poisons of the world.

The Dharma has already cut them off.

Through these truthful words, poison disappears.

Greed, anger, and ignorance

are the three poisons of the world.

The Sangha has already cut them off.

Through these truthful words, poison disappears.

All World-Honored Ones

possess great wondrous power,

and the arhats possess renown.

Remove poison and bring peace.

May we and our companions

always remain free from calamity.

Buddha-Mother Wisdom King,

please grant peace to all.’

When the venerable Ananda heard the Buddha finish teaching this sutra, he bowed with his head at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated three times clockwise, and, receiving the sacred command, went to Shati. Through this Buddha-Mother teaching he rescued and protected the monk, established earth and directional boundaries, embraced and benefited him, and removed his suffering. Shati’s suffering and poison disappeared; peaceful in body, he rose from the ground and went with Ananda to the Buddha, bowed at his feet, and stood to one side.

The Buddha told Ananda: ‘On account of these events, widely tell the fourfold assembly, rulers, ministers, and people to uphold this teaching single-heartedly, explain it to others, copy the sutra, spread it everywhere, adorn it solemnly, establish ritual platforms, and offer incense, flowers, food, and drink according to their means. Thus free beings from sorrow and trouble, enabling immeasurable blessing, constant peace, and a hundred-year life,’ the text instructs.

When the Buddha finished the sutra, humans, gods, yakshas, and spirits obeyed his teaching without daring to defy it, all arousing kind hearts and protecting keepers of the sutra. Ananda and the great assembly—gods, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, marutas, garudas, kimnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans—heard his words with great joy, trusting, receiving, and practicing them.

Gods, asuras, yakshas, and others,

you who came to hear the Dharma, attend sincerely.

Protect the Buddha’s teaching so it endures long,

and each diligently practice the World-Honored One’s teaching.

All listeners who came here,

whether on earth or in the sky,

always arouse kindness toward the human world,

and by day and night dwell according to the Dharma.

May all worlds always be peaceful,

and boundless blessing and wisdom benefit all beings.

May every harmful deed disappear,

and may all leave suffering far behind and return to complete nirvana.

Always anoint and purify yourselves with the fragrance of precepts,

always wear the robe of meditation,

and be adorned everywhere with the wondrous flowers of awakening.

Wherever you dwell, may you always be peaceful and joyful.

Sutra of the Buddha-Mother Great Peacock Wisdom King, final fascicle