Buddha Speaks the Great Marīcī Bodhisattva (佛說大摩里支菩薩經)

Sutra of the Great Marici Bodhisattva, Volume One

The Western Regions Tripitaka Translator

Thus I have heard:

At that time, the Buddha was in the Jeta Grove of Anathapindika's Park in the kingdom of Shravasti, together with a great assembly of twelve hundred and fifty monks, as well as many great Bodhisattvas.

At that time, the World-Honored One addressed the assembly of monks, saying: "There is a Bodhisattva named Marici. This Bodhisattva always travels before the sun and moon, yet the sun and moon cannot see the Bodhisattva. This Bodhisattva cannot be seen, cannot be seized, cannot be bound, cannot be burned by fire, cannot be drowned by water, is free from all fears, cannot be disrespected, and all evil enemies cannot harm him. O monks! I, too, in the past, upon knowing the name of this Bodhisattva Mahasattva Marici, could not see him, could not seize him, could not bind him; fire could not burn him, water could not drown him; he was free from all fears, could not be disrespected, and all enemies could not harm him. If any monk knows the name of that Bodhisattva, all such evils will likewise be unable to harm him." Then he spoke the dharani:

Tadyathā Oṁ Pāṇa-kramaśi Unayamaśi Nairamaśi Arikākramaśi Malikākramaśi Urimakramaśi Vanamaśi Gulakramaśi Civaramāśi Mahā-civaramāśi Antarita-nāmaśi Svāhā

Now I speak the Dharani of the Bodhisattva Marici. It enables beings to become invisible on the road, invisible off the road, invisible among crowds, invisible during royal persecution, and invisible during dangers from water, fire, thieves, and all other calamities—none can seize them. Moreover, it protects those with afflictions and those without, supports those who are confused and those who are not, and constantly shields against dangers from elephants, lions, dragons, and tigers at all times. The Dharani is thus spoken:

Tadyatha (2 syllables together) A-lu (extended) ta-lu (extended) ka (extended) lu (extended) saca-lu (extended) samamuridha (2 syllables together) Jya-raccha (2 syllables together) Mam (extended) Sarva-pari-va (extended) lam Sarva (2 syllables together) sattvam (2 syllables, extended) Scaca (2 syllables together) Sarva (2 syllables together) bha-u (extended) Pana-ra (2 syllables together) vai (extended) Vibhya (2 syllables together) Svaha (2 syllables extended)

Namo (extended) ratna (2 syllables together) Tra (2 extended) ya (extended) ya Marici-ne (extended) vata (extended) ya Hari (2 syllables together) naya-ma (extended) varita (2 syllables together) Yiseya (2 syllables extended) mi

Tadyatha (2 syllables together) a (extended) Om (extended) Vanta (extended) le Vana (extended) le Vara (extended) le Vara (extended) hamukhe Sarva (2 syllables together) nustha (2 syllables together) Prama (2 syllables together) nustha (2 syllables extended) nam (extended) Bandha bandha mukham svaha (2 syllables extended)

Om (extended) ma (extended) Lici (extended) svaha (2 syllables)

Om (extended) Vara-le vana-le vara (extended) hamukhe Sarva (2 syllables together) nustha (2 syllables together) Prama-nustha (2 syllables extended) nam (extended) Bandha bandha svaha (2 syllables)

At that time, after the World-Honored One had spoken this dhāraṇī, all the great assembly gathered—bhikṣus, bodhisattvas, devas, humans, asuras, gandharvas, and others—heard what the Buddha had said. They rejoiced, had faith, and accepted it.

The Buddha continued: “If there are beings who, following this vast and essential practice, form the great Vairocana mudra and visualize the light of the sun and moon—such sunlight and moonlight will then become the Bodhisattva Marici. That Bodhisattva holds a needle and thread in her hands, sewing shut the mouths and eyes of hostile enemies, so that they may cause no harm.”

The Buddha said: “That Bodhisattva Marici constantly moves ahead of the sun and moon. Though the sun and moon shine brightly, they cannot see her. Therefore, I now proclaim the great mantra of the Three Jewels:

Om, invoke the presence of the sacred one. The beautiful divine one, the extremely beautiful one. The one of the sky, the one of the garment, the royal one. The one with boundless light—homage to you. Svaha.

It is thus: the shining one, the one of joy, the mother. The one of the threefold liberation, the protector. For the sake of all the fears of the world—Svaha.

Om, the one of the evening, the one of the forest. The divine one, the giver of boons, the face of joy. Binding and binding all afflictions. Svaha.

"This sacred mantra: When a person recites it, for any wish they make, they must first speak their own name. Immediately, the Bodhisattva Marici, through her power of compassion, will protect that being—protecting them on the path, protecting them off the path, protecting them among crowds, protecting them from floods, protecting them from fires, and indeed protecting them in all places. She will cause them to increase in all matters of good fortune."

Now I will explain a method for success. Take fine silk cloth and a wooden board, and paint upon it a tree of joy. Beneath this tree, paint the Bodhisattva Marici, whose body shines like golden light, appearing in the form of a young maiden. She wears a blue divine garment, holds a lotus flower in her hand, and is adorned with a jeweled crown and precious tower atop her head. Once the painting is completed, recite the supreme heart mantra before this image eight thousand times. Whatever you seek will certainly be achieved. The mantra is:

Om, Marici, Svaha.

This mantra is also capable of eliminating all sickness and suffering. If someone makes a burnt offering before the image of Marīci Bodhisattva, it will increase their fortune in elephants, horses, wealth, grain, and prosperity.

Those who make burnt offerings using ghee, honey, and *nurīva* grass one thousand times will be loved by others, enjoy a life free from illness, and gain riches.

If they make burnt offerings with ghee, rice, and sugar one thousand times, they can summon a yakṣa (female nature spirit).

If they make burnt offerings with mustard seeds, oil, and *shēn* wood (a type of firewood) one thousand times, they can cause illness to arise in their enemies.

If they make burnt offerings with their own blood, mustard seeds, and oil one thousand times, they can destroy those enemies.

If they wish to stop and remove the calamity caused by enemies, they can make burnt offerings with milk one thousand times.

To eliminate all poisons and subdue the *nākinī* demons, one should recite the Heart Mantra of Marīci eight hundred times every day. Doing so will also sharpen one's intelligence.

The mantra is as follows:

Om Vajrapani, Vajradhari, Vajra, Vajra-mukhe. All obstacles, bind, bind. Svaha.

"Homage to the noble one, Marici Bodhisattva, the Six-Syllable Supreme Heart Mantra:"

Om, Marici, Svaha.

The True Word Mudra for the Mind is formed by pressing the palms together, slightly curving the ten fingers like an unfolding flower. Then, bend both thumbs and press them against the middle fingers, forming a fist. Sit in the full lotus position and place the mudra over the navel chakra.

This Mind Mudra can accomplish the highest of all endeavors. It should only be used when seeking the most supreme and excellent Dharma; it is not permitted for matters of lesser or middling importance.

This Mind Mudra swiftly brings about vast, pure, auspicious blessings and virtue. It quickly eliminates all obstacles and evil karma. In all places, the practitioner will always be respected by others.

The Dharani of the Hundred-Eight Names of Bodhisattva Marici—if a person recites it, they will be constantly protected. The dharani goes:

Tadyathā (2 syllables) – Arīkā (2) mashi – marīkā (2) – unaya mashi – Nā (long) rā mashi – vanā mashi – gurāmā (2) mashi – Jivalā mashi – mahā jivalā mashi – Antaritā (2) nā mashi – svāhā (2, long).

Namo (long) ratnā (2) – trāyā (long) – tadyathā (2) – Oṃ (long) – vantā (long) le – vana le – varā (long) le – Varā (long) ha mukhe – Sarva (2) nuṣṭhā (2) – prā (2) nuṣṭhā (2) – Nān – bandha, bandha – mukhān – svāhā (2).

This ritual method comes from the “Chapter on Upholding Pure Conduct.” Next, the method of attainment is explained separately: the practitioner should first engage in visualization. Visualize the Bodhisattva Marīci sitting atop a golden pig, dressed in white garments, wearing a jeweled crown on her head, holding a branch of the aśoka tree in her left hand, and surrounded by a herd of pigs. After this visualization, if one is traveling far from home and encounters great danger such as robbers, one should hold the corner of one’s own robe, recite the Heart Mantra seven times to empower the robe’s edge, and then tie it. Then, dangers from enemies and thieves cannot harm them.

There is another method of attainment: the practitioner first enters samādhi. Visualize a syllable Aṃ upon a lunar disc. Then, contemplate that in all phenomena there is no self. Next, visualize your own body extending throughout the entire sky, in the form of Vairocana Buddha, seated in full lotus posture on a lion throne within a lotus seat of vajra. The body is of true golden color, with a hair knot crown, forming the mudrā of Vairocana, with auspicious and dignified features. When recollecting the syllable Maṃ, the lunar disc emits light, shining everywhere, and transforms into the Bodhisattva Marīci. Then, recite this mantra:

OM Marīci Svāhā

At that time, the Bodhisattva, holding needle and thread, manifested a golden body and sewed shut the mouths and eyes of the evildoers, preventing them from causing harm. There is also a method of accomplishment: have a maiden twist twenty-one strands of thread (discard any broken strands) and recite the fundamental mantra 108 times to empower the thread. The mantra is:

Homage to the Precious Three Jewels. Homage to Marici, the Radiant One. Homage to the Great Sage. I pay homage to the Mighty One.

Thus:

Om, Vante li, Vante li, Vante li, Vara li, Vara ho mukhi. All calamities, all disasters, may they be blocked from sight. Svaha!

I recall this mantra 108 times. The mantra is:

Namo Marici Devi, tadyatha, om, vandale vanale varale varale ha mukhe, sarva dusta graha che mana bandha ami svaha.

After reciting and blessing in this way, if you wish to protect yourself, tie seven knots in the cord, reciting the name of Mariji Bodhisattva once with each knot. Then wear the cord around your neck. If you encounter a sudden danger on the road, recite the mantra of Mariji Bodhisattva again, and both you and your companions will be freed from harm.

"If one performs the ritual as described before in one's own dwelling place—facing the sun during the day and the moon at night—and recites this mantra seven times, success is assured. The mantra is: