Eight Great Bodhisattvas Mandala Sutra
This is what I heard:
At one time, the Bhagavān was dwelling in the palace of the holy Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva on Mount Potalaka, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of koṭis of nayutas of Bodhisattvas.
Then, among the assembly, a Bodhisattva named Ratnagarbha-Candraprabha rose from his seat, arranged his robes, bared his right shoulder, bowed respectfully, and with palms joined, addressed the Bhagavān:
"Bhagavān, I have a small doubt. I beseech the Tathāgata to permit me to ask a question."
Then, the Bodhisattva Ratnagarbha-Candraprabha said:
"If a virtuous man or virtuous woman wishes to create the eight maṇḍalas, how should they be established? And by what method can they generate immeasurable merit, enabling the practitioner to swiftly attain Enlightenment?"
Then, the Tathāgata praised the Bodhisattva Ratnagarbha-Candraprabha, saying:
"Excellent, excellent! Virtuous one, you ask about such profound meaning for the benefit and happiness of immeasurable, boundless sentient beings, to purify the three lower realms, and to realize the peerless, unsurpassed wisdom. Now listen well.
If sentient beings merely hear this secret mantra, they will obtain longevity and happiness. Virtuous one, there are eight maṇḍalas—these are the profound essential teachings of the eight great Bodhisattvas. If any sentient being, according to the method, establishes these eight maṇḍalas even once, all ten non-virtues, the five heinous crimes, and slander of the Mahāyāna sūtras will be utterly eradicated. All sought-after benefits, meanings, and supreme aspirations will be perfectly accomplished."
Then, he proclaimed the Tathāgata's secret mantra:
Om Mahā Vīra Svāhā
Within the mandala, visualize the Tathagata's true golden body, adorned with the thirty-two marks of excellence, seated upon a lotus throne.
Next, the mantra of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva is spoken:
Imagine in the mandala the sacred Avalokiteshvara with a crimson body, holding a lotus flower in the left hand and granting blessings with the right hand, upon whose crown rests the Tathagata Amitayus.
Next, the secret mantra of Maitreya Bodhisattva is spoken:
"Mahāliśvara Hā"
After Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, visualize Maitreya Bodhisattva with a golden body, holding a water vessel in his left hand and making the gesture of fearlessness with his right hand, wearing a crown with a stupa, seated in the half-lotus posture.
Next, I will explain the mantra of the Bodhisattva Akashagarbha:
A-ni-pa-ya, svaha.
Behind the Buddha, visualize the Bodhisattva Akashagarbha. In his left hand, he holds a jewel placed over his heart; with his right hand, he bestows a flowing abundance of countless treasures.
Next, the secret mantra of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is spoken:
Hail to the Glorious One!
To the left of Akashagarbha Bodhisattva, visualize Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, wearing a five-Buddha crown, with a golden body, holding a sword in his right hand and granting a wish with his left, seated in a half-lotus posture.
Now, the Secret Word of the Vajra-wielding Bodhisattva is spoken:
"Om Vajra Svaha"
To the left of the Buddha, visualize the Vajrasattva Bodhisattva. His right hand holds a vajra scepter, his left hand rests on his hip. He wears a crown of five Buddhas. His body is blue in color, and he sits in a half-lotus position.
Here, I will now speak the secret mantra of the Bodhisattva Manjushri:
Imagine Manjushri, the youthful bodhisattva, in front of Vajrapani. He is in the form of a young boy with his hair in five topknots. In his left hand, he holds a blue lotus flower, within which rests a five-pronged vajra scepter. His right hand is extended in the gesture of granting wishes. His body is golden in color, and he is seated in a half-lotus position.
Now I will speak the secret mantra of the Bodhisattva who removes all hindrances:
"Anavalokana Svaha"
To the right of Manjushri Bodhisattva, visualize Sarvanivarana-Vishkambhin (the Bodhisattva who Removes All Hindrances). His body is golden, his left hand holds a wish-fulfilling banner, his right hand makes the gesture of granting wishes, and he sits in the half-lotus position.
Now, the Secret Mantra of Earth Store Bodhisattva is spoken:
“Require sprinkling, homage to the honored one, Svaha!”
Before the Tathagata, visualize Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva: his crown and jeweled necklace, his face serene and joyful, filled with compassion for all beings. His left hand rests at his navel, holding a bowl; his right hand faces downward, with thumb and index finger touching, in a gesture of comfort and reassurance for all beings.
"This Dharma of Offering and Contemplating the Eight Great Bodhisattvas' Mandalas: If a virtuous man or woman receives and upholds this Sutra of the Eight Mandalas, all karmic obstacles will be completely dissolved, and they will swiftly realize unsurpassed, perfect Enlightenment."
After the Buddha had spoken this sutra, the great bodhisattvas, the disciples, and all the celestial beings from the eight groups heard his words and accepted them with joy, ready to put them into practice.
At the palace gate of perfect peace, Who shatters doors and barriers, Enjoying the Dharma's wealth, To the world's savior, I bow.
From their own hands flows pure water, Quenching the thirst of hungry ghosts, A wish-fulfilling tree of three realms, To the Lotus-Handed One, I bow.
With waters of great compassion as their heart, They quell the fires of anger, To the Honored One of Loving-Kindness, Who cuts the bowstring of desire, I bow.
Vast wisdom like space itself, The serene master of emptiness, Liberating from the stream of rebirth, To the heart-son of the Buddha, I bow.
They calm the confusion and harmful minds Of countless sentient beings, like an elder, To Universal Virtue, I bow, Foremost child of the Well-Gone One.
Though exhausted laborer of defilements, They surpass the armies of Mara, To the Vajra-Handed One, I bow, Who illuminates all knowledge.
To Noble Manjushri, I bow, With the form of a splendid youth, Whose lamp of wisdom spreads everywhere, Dispelling the darkness of the three realms.
To the Remover of All Obstacles, With this, I bow to them, The master of endless wisdom, Which generates inexhaustible eloquence.
Like the earth for all beings, Always a constant foundation, Treasury of unwavering compassion and kindness, To the Earth-Treasury One, I bow.
Now, the merit gained from praising These true children of the Well-Gone One, May all beings, through this virtue, Become worthy receptacles of such praise.
Eight Great Bodhisattvas Mandala Sutra
Here, the order of the eight directions is incorrect. Now, following the directions given in the Heng Han Zun Sheng Fo Ding chanting method, it has been corrected.