Tang · Source text translated by 地婆訶羅
3,460 · about 12 min
The Sutra of the Most Supreme Dhāraṇī of the Buddha’s Crown is an important esoteric Buddhist scripture translated by the eminent Tang dynasty monk Divākara. It belongs to the category of esoteric dhāraṇī texts. Divākara was an Indian monk who came to China to translate scriptures, active during the reigns of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang dynasty, and participated in the translation of numerous Buddhist sutras. This sutra expounds the supreme merits of the Uṣṇīṣa-vijaya Dhāraṇī, emphasizing that reciting this mantra can purify karmic obstacles, prolong life, avert disasters, and assist the deceased in transcending unfortunate rebirths. The text integrates esoteric mantras with Mahāyāna teachings and holds a significant position in Chinese Buddhism. Throughout history, it has been regarded as a sacred scripture for dispelling calamities and seeking blessings, exerting a profound influence on the development of esoteric Buddhism in China.