The Buddha Speaks the Marīcī Devī Sutra (佛說摩利支天經)

Sutra of the Buddha's Teachings on Marici

Translated into English, the title is:

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Bhagavan was staying at the Jeta Grove, in the Garden of the Benefactor, near the city of Shravasti. At that time, the World-Honored One addressed the monks, saying: "There is a heavenly maiden named Marici, who possesses great spiritual powers and sovereign abilities. She constantly travels before the sun and moon deities. The sun and moon cannot see her, yet she can see them. No one can see her, no one can know her, no one can capture her, no one can bind her, no one can harm her, no one can deceive her, no one can seize her wealth, no one can punish her, and enemies cannot gain any advantage over her."

The Buddha addressed the monks: "If anyone knows the name of the heavenly maiden Marici and constantly recollects her, that person likewise cannot be seen, cannot be known, cannot be captured, cannot be bound, cannot be harmed, cannot be deceived, cannot have their wealth seized, cannot be punished by others, and enemies cannot gain any advantage over them. If a virtuous man or woman, knowing the name of Marici, seeks her protection, they should say: 'I, (so-and-so), know that the Mother Marici possesses great spiritual power. I now take refuge in her. May she protect my body, so that no one can see me, no one can know me, no one can capture me, no one can bind me, no one can harm me, no one can deceive me, no one can seize my wealth, no one can punish me, and enemies cannot gain any advantage over me.'"

Then the World-Honored One spoke this dharani:

Namo ratna trayaya. Nama āryāvalokiteśvarāya. Tadyathā: oṃ akṣare makṣare, adumakṣare, cale prapale, mahā-cale prapale, aṭṭhane amale, maliye amale. Namo svāhā. Rakṣa rakṣa māṃ. Sarva-satvānāṃ ca. Sarva-tra. Sarva-bhaya-praveśa-vivāya. Svāhā.

Here is the translation:

"The Heart Mantra says:"

Namo to all the Buddhas without exception. Homage to the Enlightened Ones who have transcended all suffering and attachment. May the radiant light of their wisdom burn away the darkness of ignorance. May their boundless compassion guide all beings toward freedom from pain and the cycle of rebirth. So be it.

At that time, after the World-Honored One had spoken this dhāraṇī, he addressed the monks, saying: "If anyone should receive and uphold the teachings of this sutra, they should make this vow: 'May I be protected amid the perils of kings, amid the perils of thieves, amid the perils of travel, amid the perils of getting lost in the wilderness, amid the perils of fire and water, amid the perils of weapons and battlefields, amid the perils of ghosts and spirits, amid the perils of poison, amid the perils of savage beasts, amid the perils of poisonous insects, and amid the perils of all enemies and wicked people. May the truth of the Buddha protect me, may the truth of the Dharma protect me, may the truth of the Saṅgha protect me, may the truth of the devas protect me, and may the truth of the sages protect me. In all places and at all times, may I, your disciple (so-and-so), always be protected. Svāhā (conjoined [with the preceding]) (prolonged).'"

The Buddha told the monks: "If good men, good women, monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen, kings, ministers, or any people encounter difficulties, they should simply recite this Marici Dharani with sincere hearts. Without extra effort, it will be accomplished upon recitation, keeping them free from all troubles—except for those who lack sincerity. When reciting, form the hand seals as well. Apply fragrance to your hands, and first form the three-part heart seal: clasp both hands together with fingers interlaced into a fist, and raise both thumbs upright. This is the heart seal of all Tathagatas. The mantra is:"

"Om, the Radiant One, the Single Eye."

Then form the Lotus Section Heart Seal: Based on the previous seal, tuck the left thumb into the palm and keep the right thumb upright. The mantra is:

"Om, Aru lika."

Next, form the Vajra Heart Seal. Take the previous seal and bend the right thumb into the palm while keeping the left thumb upright. The mantra is:

"Om Vajra Tejaka"

Then form the Protection of the Body Tathāgata Fist Mudrā. Bend the right thumb across the palm, then wrap the four fingers over it to make a fist. Use this fist mudrā to bless five places on your body: first the forehead, then the right shoulder, left shoulder, heart, and throat. Recite the mantra once at each place. The mantra is:

Next, form the Marici Concealment Seal. (This refers to making oneself invisible.) With the left hand, make a loose fist with the palm hollow; gently press the tip of the index finger against the tip of the thumb to form a ring, keeping the other three fingers closed tightly in the fist. Leave a hollow space in the center of the palm and place it before your heart, imagining your body entering and hiding within this hollow of the seal. With the right palm flat, rotate it clockwise over this seal and then cover the opening. Visualize this seal as the very body of the Bodhisattva Marici, and your own body concealed within her heart.

Focus your mind without interruption and recite the root and heart mantras previously given, without counting the repetitions. Simply maintain sincere devotion, and you will surely receive the majestic protective power of the Bodhisattva. No enemies or malicious people will be able to see you, and all disasters will be transformed into liberation.

If you wish to make an offering to Bodhisattva Marici, you should carve her image from gold, silver, red copper, white sandalwood, or purple sandalwood. She appears in the form of a celestial maiden, measuring anywhere from half an inch to one or two inches. She stands or sits on a lotus flower, adorned with a crown, necklaces, and various ornaments, perfectly beautiful. Her left hand holds a celestial fan, like the one held by the heavenly maiden before Vimalakirti. Her right hand hangs down with the palm facing outward, fingers extended in the gesture of granting wishes. Two celestial maidens stand beside her, each holding a white fly whisk.

Once this image is made, you may wear it on your head, on your arm, or keep it in your clothing. Through the majestic power of the Bodhisattva, you will encounter no disasters, will surely triumph over enemies, and ghosts, spirits, and evil people will find no opportunity to harm you.

If you wish to achieve real results—to see the true form of Marici and gain supreme wishes—recite this dharani one hundred thousand times. Then, according to the ritual, construct a mandala with a painting of Bodhisattva Marici placed in the center, make various offerings, and set up a fire offering altar. The celestial maiden Marici will appear before you, and any supreme wish you seek will be fulfilled. The only requirement is sincerity.

The Buddha then told the monks: "For the sake of beings in the future dark age, tormented by suffering and terror, I have briefly explained this practice of Marici. This Bodhisattva, through her great compassionate vow, always protects beings in places of hardship and fear, ensuring that no gods, dragons, ghosts, spirits, humans, or non-humans—whether enemies or wild beasts—can harm them. You should receive and uphold this teaching, spread it widely, and bring benefit to all beings."

Hearing these words, the monks, along with the eight classes of celestial beings and the entire assembly, rejoiced greatly and faithfully accepted and put into practice the Buddha's teaching.

Sutra of the Buddha's Teachings on Marici