The Sutra of Rituals for Reciting the Medicine Buddha
Translated by the Tripitaka Master Amoghavajra of Daxingshan Temple, by Imperial Decree
The Buddha was once beneath the Music Tree in the city of Vaiśālī, accompanied by thirty-six thousand great bodhisattvas, eighty thousand bhikkhus, and the twelve divine kings along with their retinues, as well as the eight classes of gods, dragons, and spirits. In such a great assembly, after teaching this Dharma, all who heard it rejoiced without exception. This is called the Fulfilling Vow Divine Mantra. Then the Bhagavān spoke the mantra, saying:
Homage to the World-Honored One, the Medicine Buddha, the King of Lapis Lazuli Light, the Tathagata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One. By the truth of these words: Om, be healed, be healed, be healed, be completely healed, so be it.
If one upholds and recites this true mantra, it can uproot all heavy karmic obstacles from past lives, so that one will not again pass through the three lower realms, will be spared from the nine untimely deaths, and will transcend all suffering. In all directions and worlds, one will find peace and joy wherever one goes, free and unobstructed—this is how the Dharma should be.
If good men and good women uphold, recite, and chant this true mantra, they should bathe day and night with fragrant water, wear clean new clothes, observe the precepts properly, and after completing the recitation of the mantra one hundred thousand times, they should prepare a clean area according to the Dharma. Level the ground with pure soil, then use pure cow dung mixed with sandalwood to form a circular altar, adorning it with various precious treasures.
In the center of the altar, place one image of Medicine Buddha. The Buddha’s left hand should hold the medicine vessel, also called the Priceless Pearl, while the right hand forms the seal that binds the three realms. He is robed in monastic garments, seated in full lotus posture upon a lotus throne. Below the throne are the twelve divine generals, along with their eighty-four thousand attendants, led by their chief.
On the lotus throne, within the Buddha’s radiant light, reside the two bodhisattvas, Sunlight and Moonlight. The altar should be surrounded by five-colored banners on all four sides. In front, place two offering vessels, a conch shell, and earthenware containers, to be used as offerings in service to the revered image.
Before the image, recite the mantra for forty-nine days, or for three times seven days. At the four corners of the altar, place auspicious vases. Day and night, within seven days, complete the recitation of the mantra hundreds of thousands or millions of times. All wishes will be fulfilled according to the heart’s desire, and immeasurable fruits and rewards will be obtained—unless one’s mind is not sincere. This is how the Dharma should be.
The benefits are beyond description; its other merits cannot be fully told even over countless eons.
Next, the fundamental mudra of Medicine Master Tathagata is explained. Take the eight fingers from the index fingers down on both hands, cross them into the palms, and move the two thumbs back and forth. The mantra is:
Oṃ Caṇḍa Kīrī Svāhā(This is the root mantra.)
Next, explain the hand gesture for the water offering. Hold the vessel with both palms and raise it above your head. The mantra is:
Homage to all Buddhas. Kya kya hum samasama svaha.
Next is the mantra and mudra for the Flower Seat, followed by the mantra and mudra for the Scented Paste. Bring your two hands together in a prayer position, then join the tips of both index fingers and both thumbs, as if about to snap your fingers. The mantra is:
Homage to all Buddhas. To the One of Great Compassion, hail!
Next, the Flower Mudra. Join the palms together, with the little fingers slightly separated. The mantra is:
Homage to all the Buddhas. May all beings be at peace.
Next, I will explain the incense offering mudra. Place your palms together, with the fingers slightly curved like a mountain peak. The mantra is:
Om, homage to the one who is glorious, majestic, and pure, who bestows peace and well-being.
Next, we will explain the Flower Seat Mudra. Place the backs of both hands together, with the right wrist pressing over the left. The mantra is:
Om Shepala Sapa Sishipala Mocha Ah
Next, the Universal Offering Mudra is explained. Bring the two hands together in the vajra gesture. The mantra is:
Namo Samanta Buddha Namah Om A Va Ha Bu Sa Ma Ni Svaha
Next, recite the mantra and then perform the sending-off ritual. Use the meditation mudra to pick up a flower and toss it into the center of the mandala. The mantra is:
Homage to all Buddhas. A-ga-cha, a-ga-cha, svaha.
This is a Dharma Seal Mantra that can eliminate all suffering. If there are people burdened with many karmic obstacles, or women who wish to transform misfortune, they should follow these instructions: create one statue of the Medicine Buddha, copy one scroll of the Medicine Buddha Sutra, make forty-nine banners and lamps arranged in a seven-tiered form like a wheel, and place them before the statue. Use a five-colored cord, seal it with the mudra, and tie forty-nine knots around the person's body. Then, recite the Medicine Buddha Sutra forty-nine times. All karmic obstacles will be liberated, lifespan will be extended, unexpected suffering will be avoided, peace and stability will be attained, and illnesses caused by spirits will be cured.
If you wish to subdue wicked people, form the mudra with an angry mind, recite it one hundred and eight times, and strike from afar—all false teachings will be destroyed.
If a person suffers from heart disease, empower green sandalwood and apply it to the heart to heal.
If a person suffers from a headache, empower cinnamon bark twenty times, and taking it will cure the ailment.
If a person suffers from swelling and jaundice, recite the mantra over turmeric one hundred and eight times and apply it to be cured.
If someone wishes to drive away an enemy, recite the mantra over one hundred and eight bitter seeds, and with each recitation, cast one into the fire to burn. That person will then depart far away.
If you suffer from pain in your limbs or joints, chant the mantra over water one hundred and eight times, then bathe with it, and the pain will be relieved.
If a person, every morning, takes a handful of water, recites the mantra seven times over it, and drinks it, all the negative karmic retribution in their body will be completely eliminated. How much more so for those without various calamities and misfortunes—their sufferings of the three karmas will also be cured, and they will attain a long and extended lifespan.
If one drinks it while reciting the mantra, all poisons will be rendered harmless.
If you encounter wicked people or enemies, you should recite this mantra. All those who harbor ill will shall be subdued; their malice will vanish, replaced by kindness. In places of fear, you should focus your mind and recite it.
When you wish to sleep, recite this mantra one hundred and eight times, and you will have good dreams and know whether fortune or misfortune lies ahead.
If someone is suffering from malaria, let the one who holds this mantra look upon the sick person and recite this mantra earnestly one thousand and eight times. The illness will then be cured and healed.
The Sutra of Rituals for Reciting the Medicine Buddha
Written on the second day of the second month in the third year of the Baoyuan era, during the hour of the Rooster. Respectfully bestowed to the Great Vow Hall, the Dharma Seal's imperial manuscript is now completed, left as a legacy for future seekers, that we may together aspire toward the wisdom of the Buddha. Seeking the Dharma, the monastic Juecheng.
On the fourteenth day of the ninth month in the second year of the Jōhō era, during the year of the Tiger, this was transcribed at Ninna-ji Temple using the original from the Dharma Drum Terrace of Kōsan-ji Temple. One round of collation completed. Nozawa Masasuke Jōgon, age thirty-six.
In the first year of Tenmei, the year of Xin Chou, during the intercalary fifth month, this was copied from the original manuscript of the monk Jueyuan. Ciren.
In the first year of Kyōwa, the year of Xin You, the era name, the above-mentioned text was sought to be annotated in the national script. This ritual for chanting the Medicine Buddha was already printed in the Genbun period, but that edition had omissions, lacking a single page. Therefore, it has been further corrected and printed again.
Recorded by the monk Kaitō, residing at Hōzan Chōkoku.
First proofreading and additions completed. The tenth day of the fourth month, the year of Guihai, in the Kyōwa era. By Jijun.