The Buddha Speaks the Mantra of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva's Mother Sutra (佛說觀自在菩薩母陀羅尼經)

Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva's Mother Dharani Sutra

Translated by Dharma-Virtuous, Master of Bright Teaching, Court Minister of the Imperial Library, Tripitaka Master of the Western Regions, by

Thus I have heard:

Once, the Buddha was staying in the great city of Vaishali, together with a large assembly of five hundred monks, led by Shariputra, and also with great Bodhisattvas like Maitreya, who respectfully surrounded him and sat on their seats. At that time, there was a Bodhisattva present named Samantabhadra. He rose from his seat, approached the World-Honored One, bared his right shoulder, knelt on his right knee, and, pressing his palms together, said to the Buddha:

"World-Honored One! There is a great Dharani of Avalokiteshvara, known as a sacred phrase, which all Buddhas of the past, present, and future have joyfully proclaimed. When the Buddha was still a Bodhisattva, seeking Supreme Enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, he also proclaimed this Dharani. Moreover, this Dharani acts as both father and mother to good men and women who seek enlightenment, and serves as a refuge for the lonely and a guide for those without a leader. If any person recites, learns, and upholds this Dharani, all their evil karma will be completely eradicated, and all their vows and practices will be fulfilled, and even other sacred recitations they undertake will succeed."

The Buddha said to Samantabhadra Bodhisattva: "Exactly as you say. I recall that in a past life, when I was still a Bodhisattva seeking supreme enlightenment, I traveled across countless worlds—as many as the grains of sand in the Ganges River. In one of those worlds, there was a Buddha-land called Sukhāvatī, where a Buddha known as the Tathāgata Amitāyus, the Arhat, the Fully Enlightened One, dwelt. That Buddha Amitāyus still exists today, constantly teaching the sublime Dharma for the benefit of all beings. At that time, I was a Brahmin named Free Light, and I had already attained the stage of Radiant Light. During that assembly, I had already proclaimed this Great Dharani of Avalokiteśvara, which would bring immense benefit to hundreds of billions of countless beings. Then, all the beings in that assembly heard this dharani. Those burdened by past wrongdoings had their karmic obstacles completely removed. Those who had not yet attained the knowledge of past lives received this ability."

At that time, the Blessed One again addressed Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, saying: "For the benefit of living beings in the future Dharma-ending age, in this impure world plagued by the five corruptions, countless beings—a billion times a billion and beyond—who have committed heinous offenses that bring endless retribution, and for the sake of having their sins eliminated, and so that the lonely may find refuge, you wish to joyfully proclaim the Maternal Dhāraṇī of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. Excellent, excellent! You may proclaim it." Having received the Buddha's permission, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva then recited the Maternal Dhāraṇī of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva:

Namo to the Blessed One, the Tathagata, the Arhat, the Fully Enlightened One, Amitabha Buddha. Namo to the Noble Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, the Great Bodhisattva, the Great Compassionate One. Homage to you, venerable ones. To the Noble Avalokiteshvara, we sing the great dhāraṇī, the great mantra, which you have given us. May we fully realize it. Om. Ime, ime, cime, cime, Kuntara, kuntare, Shiri, shishiri, Uri, gate, gatri, Matangi, pukasi, Kata ya, maha vijñana, Huntamare, cime, vici me, Guhya, saumaya, nidarshani, Nirgamana, mamani, Arya, nokshana, priti, Sarva vijñana, nam, praveshayami, Sarva jña, nidhārayami, Svāhā.

At that time, the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, after reciting this Dharani, said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! If anyone sincerely receives and upholds this teaching with wholehearted devotion, all their negative karma will be completely eliminated, and they will always be protected in times of fear. If a practitioner wishes to see me or attain any accomplishment, they should increase their diligence without interruption, concentrating on recitation three times a day. After seven full days, I will take pity on that person and appear in my true form. Furthermore, if a practitioner focuses their mind without interruption and silently recites for one month, they will cause Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva to appear in their true form, granting their wishes and requests. They will even be able to see Amitāyus Buddha, their wisdom and learning will grow, they will realize the knowledge of past lives, they will never be separated from the Buddha's teachings in whatever place they are reborn, they will possess great wealth and honor, and ultimately they will attain the stage of non-retrogression."

Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva's Mother Dharani Sutra