Anle Miaobao Sutra (安樂妙寶)

Peace and joy mean safety and happiness. Safety is having a body free from disasters and illness; joy is having a mind free from worry, sorrow, and distress. Among worldly joys, the three abundances are the greatest. Among the holy fruits of liberation, the two fulfillments are the most revered.

"Wonderful Treasure" refers to the supreme and marvelous Dharma treasure. The Buddha Dharma is unsurpassed, extraordinary, and subtle. The true mantras of the esoteric tradition are like wish-fulfilling jewels. They can fulfill all virtuous aspirations and accomplish all excellent deeds. Wealth and honor can be attained, longevity can be achieved, and even supreme enlightenment can be sought and obtained.

Now, who among human beings does not desire peace and joy? Yet why are those with wealth, honor, longevity, and health few, while those in poverty, low status, early death, and illness many? This is all due to the karmic seeds planted by each individual in past lives—more evil deeds and fewer good ones. The sutras say: "Generosity brings blessings, stinginess brings poverty; releasing life brings longevity, killing brings short life." Are these empty words? For such causes, there will be such effects. Plant melons, get melons; plant beans, get beans. The law of cause and effect is unfailing, its principle unwavering.

Thus, if people wish to seek peace and joy, they must believe in cause and effect. They should diligently practice all good deeds and refrain from all evil. However, human life is as fleeting as morning dew; wealth and honor are like passing clouds. When one breath ceases, all is empty. One follows karma and receives retribution, revolving in the six realms. If one falls into the three lower realms, suffering is endless. Therefore, the wise diligently cultivate the Buddha Dharma, seeking liberation from birth and death to attain the joy of Nirvana.

Some meditate and recite mantras, some recite the Buddha's name and chant sutras, some diligently study teachings and contemplation, and some strictly uphold precepts. The Dharma gates are countless, but for one that is simple, easy, stable, and reliable, reciting the Buddha's name to be reborn in the Western Pure Land is highly recommended. Yet, beings in this degenerate age are deeply attached to fame and profit, and heavily burdened by affection for family. For such people, this Dharma gate is not easy to believe in or enter. Even if they believe, how many who cultivate the Pure Land with their bodies but cling to this Saha world with their hearts actually achieve rebirth as they wish?

Thus, for those seeking to attain Buddha wisdom and fulfill both worldly and transcendental aspirations without abandoning worldly desires, nothing is better than reciting the Buddha's name while also holding true mantras. The sutras say: "The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, out of compassion for beings, speak dharanis to grant them peace and joy." Merely hearing them brings benefits; wearing them brings constant auspiciousness. If one can recite them, one perfects the six paramitas and fulfills all practices. All wishes are granted accordingly. Not only does one eradicate offenses and generate blessings in this life, attaining peace, joy, and fulfillment, but at the end of life, the Buddhas extend their hands. One can be reborn in any of the ten directions' Buddha lands according to one's wish. Is this not a wonderful method for seeking peace and joy?

The Buddhas praise this like a wish-fulfilling jewel. The golden mouth proclaims it—true and not false. Therefore, from the esoteric treasury, twelve mantras have been selected: (Precious Pavilion, Shurangama Heart, Light, Rebirth, Medicine Master, Supreme Victory, Great Compassion, Wish-Fulfilling Wheel, Seven-Syllable Heart, Six-Syllable Bright, Cundi, Green Tara.) Speaking of their power, all can grant people peace, joy, and rebirth in the West. Moreover, since the Lotus Land is also called the Land of Peace and Joy, this compilation is named "Wonderful Treasure of Peace and Joy."

Some may say: "Most of these twelve mantras are commonly recited in the world. Although they have spiritual efficacy, we have not heard of them being so vast and profound." How could they know that the majestic virtue of divine mantras is inconceivable? Only when the three mysteries correspond does the majestic power manifest. The three mysteries are: body mystery—forming mudras; speech mystery—reciting mantras; mind mystery—visualization. When people recite mantras today, not only are the three mysteries incomplete, but even the mantra sounds within the speech mystery are often inaccurate. Yet, if one recites with sincere devotion, one can still obtain spiritual wonders. How much more so when the three mysteries correspond—would it not be vast and profoundly inspiring?

The mantras recorded in this compilation are all based on Sanskrit originals, with corrected mantra sounds. They are translated into national phonetic characters to make them universally accessible. Phonetic annotations are added for clarity. Furthermore, by examining sutras and treatises, methods for paying respects, reciting, and cultivating contemplation have been compiled and recorded. Thus, practitioners may hold this precious jewel in hand and, by practicing according to the methods, see all their wishes fulfilled.

Now, funds have been gathered to print five thousand copies to distribute to like-minded friends. If they can be reprinted and circulated, spreading throughout the nation, benefiting both self and others, and enabling all to ascend together to the Land of Bliss—this is the compiler's deepest hope.

Appendix(The Essence of Esoteric Buddhism states: "The Dhāraṇī Collection Sutra says that chanting mantras while reciting the Buddha's name yields merits as vast as Mount Sumeru and the great ocean. If one merely recites the Buddha's name without chanting mantras, the merits are as small as Mount Fragrant and as slight as Lake Anavatapta." The Pure Land Dharma Door indeed embraces all capacities, yet it is not easy for those seeking rebirth to universally attain the highest grade. If one practices according to the esoteric teachings, one may freely journey to any of the ten directions' pure lands, and the highest grade of rebirth can be assured with certainty. From this perspective, reciting the Buddha's name and chanting mantras together yield great merit, while practicing only one yields lesser merit—this is clearly stated in the sutras. Practitioners of both Pure Land and Esoteric Buddhism should respectfully follow the Buddha's words and not cling to personal views, dividing into sects and opposing one another. As for the grade of rebirth, let us set that aside for now. There is no doubt that reciting the Buddha's name and holding mantras lead to rebirth in the Pure Land. This is why great masters like Yongming and Ouyi often recited true mantras. Those cultivating the Pure Land path should take note.)