Immaculate Pure Light Great Dharani Sutra (無垢淨光大陀羅尼經)

Pure Light Dharani Sutra

Tang Dynasty, Tripitaka Master from India, Translated by Imperial Decree

Thus I have heard:

Once, the Buddha was staying in the great monastery at the city of Kapilavastu, surrounded by an immeasurable assembly of great monks. He was also accompanied by countless hundreds of thousands of billions of noble Bodhisattvas, whose names included: Sarvanīvaraṇaviṣkambhin (the Bodhisattva who Removes All Obstacles), Vajrapāṇi (Lord of the Vajra Bearers), Avalokiteśvara (the Bodhisattva of Compassion), Mañjuśrī (the Bodhisattva of Wisdom), Samantabhadra (the Bodhisattva of Universal Goodness), Akṣayamati (the Bodhisattva of Infinite Intention), and Maitreya (the Future Buddha). These Bodhisattvas led the assembly. There were also countless devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, and human and non-human beings. A vast multitude, filled with reverence, surrounded and listened to the Buddha as he taught.

At that time, there was a great Brahmin in the city named Kapila Caṇḍa. He worshipped outside paths and did not believe in the Buddha's teaching. A skilled fortune-teller told him, "Great Brahmin, within seven days from now, you will certainly die." Upon hearing this, the Brahmin was filled with worry, anxious, and terrified. He thought, "Who can save me? Who can I rely on?" Then he considered further, "The ascetic Gautama is known as the All-Knowing One, the one who has realized all knowledge. I should go to him. If he is truly all-knowing, he will certainly address my fears." With this thought, he went to the Buddha’s presence. While standing at a distance before the assembly, he looked at the Tathāgata, hesitating to ask his questions.

At that moment, Śākyamuni Tathāgata, who clearly sees all phenomena of the past, present, and future, knew the Brahmin’s thoughts. With a kind and gentle voice, the Buddha said: "Great Brahmin, in seven days you will certainly die. You will fall into the terrifying Avīci Hell, and from there, you will enter the sixteen other hells. After leaving them, you will be reborn as a Caṇḍāla (an outcaste). After that life ends, you will again be reborn as a pig, constantly dwelling in mud and always eating filth. Your life will be long, and you will endure much suffering. Later, you will be reborn as a human, but you will be poor, low-born, impure, foul, ugly, dark, thin, withered, and stricken with leprosy. People will dislike seeing you. Your throat will be as narrow as a needle, you will always be short of food and drink, and you will be beaten and experience great suffering."

Hearing these words, the Brahmin became extremely terrified. He wept in sorrow and quickly went to the Buddha, prostrating at his feet, touching his head to the ground. He said to the Buddha, "The Tathāgata is the one who can save all beings. I now repent and take refuge in the World-Honored One. I beseech you, please save me from the great suffering of the hell realms."

The Buddha said, "Great Brahmin, in the city of Kapilavastu, at the place where three roads meet, there is an ancient stupa of a past Buddha. Inside it now, there are the Tathāgata's relics. This stupa has crumbled. You should go there, rebuild it, install a new finial, place a *dhāraṇī* (a sacred incantation) inside it, and make great offerings. Recite the sacred spell seven times according to the proper method. This will cause your life span to be restored and extended. Later, when you die, you will be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss, where for hundreds of thousands of eons, you will experience great and wonderful happiness. After that, in the Wonderful Joyful Realm, you will also experience joy for hundreds of thousands of eons. Later still, in the Tuṣita Heaven, you will continuously enjoy happiness for hundreds of thousands of eons. In all your future births, you will always remember your past lives. You will remove all obstacles, extinguish all misdeeds, and forever be free from all hellish suffering. You will often see the Buddhas and always be cared for and protected by the Tathāgatas.

"Brahmin! Whether it is a monk, a nun, a layman, or a laywoman, any good man or woman may have a short life or many illnesses. Such a person should repair an old stupa or make a small clay stupa. According to the proper method, they should write this *dhāraṇī* spell, tie it to a cord, and create an altar. By the merit of this action, one whose life is about to end will have their life extended. Those who are sick or suffering will all be healed. They will forever be free from the hells, the animal realm, and the hungry ghost realm. Their ears will not even hear of hell, let alone their bodies experience it."

Upon hearing these words, the Brahmin was filled with joy. He immediately wished to go to the location of the old, broken stupa to follow the Buddha’s instructions and make the repairs.

Then, in the assembly, the bodhisattva Sarvanīvaraṇaviṣkambhin rose from his seat, joined his palms, and said to the Buddha: “World-Honored One, what is that dhāraṇī teaching that can nurture merit and wholesome roots?”

The Buddha replied: “There is a great dhāraṇī called ‘The Supreme, Stainless, Clear, and Radiant Great Maṇḍala Teaching.’ The Buddhas use it to bring comfort to all beings. Anyone who hears this dhāraṇī will have their five heinous crimes purified, the gates of hell closed for them, and the stains of greed, miserliness, and jealousy cleansed. Those with short lifespans will have them extended, and all auspicious endeavors will be accomplished without fail.”

Sarvanīvaraṇaviṣkambhin then spoke again: “World-Honored One, may the Buddha please teach this dhāraṇī, so that all beings may attain longevity, purify all their karmic hindrances, and receive great light.”

Then the World-Honored One, hearing this request, emitted a great light from the crown of his head. This light illuminated the entire trichiliocosm, awakened all the Tathāgatas, and then returned to the Buddha, entering through the crown of his head. The Buddha then, with a voice as beautiful and pleasing as the kalaviṅka bird’s, spoke the mantra:

Namo ratna-trayāya Namo āryāmitābhāya tathāgatāya arhate samyaksaṃbuddhāya Tadyathā: Oṃ amṛte amṛtodbhave amṛta-saṃbhave amṛta-garbhe Amṛta-siddhe amṛta-teje amṛta-vikrānte Amṛta-vikrānta-gāmine gagana kīrti-kare svāhā

Homage to the Triple Gem. Homage to the Noble Amitābha, the Tathāgata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One. Thus: Oṃ Amṛta (Nectar of Immortality), Oṃ Amṛta, remove all faults; Oṃ Amṛta, fully manifest; Oṃ Amṛta, increase the foundation; Oṃ Amṛta, grant accomplishment; Oṃ Amṛta, bestow power; Oṃ Amṛta, conquer powerfully; Oṃ Amṛta, the victor who goes everywhere, whose fame fills all space—May it be so!

The Buddha said: "O Stainless Barrier! This is the fundamental dhāraṇī mantra. If you wish to perform this practice, on the eighth, thirteenth, fourteenth, or fifteenth day of the month, circumambulate a stūpa containing relics seven times seventeen full rounds and recite this dhāraṇī the same number of times. You should then construct an altar and keep it pure. Write out this mantra seven times seventeen copies. Out of respect for this Dharma, make offerings to the scribe with incense, flowers, food, and clean robes—bathe and anoint them with fragrant oils. Offer either the seven treasures or whatever you can afford. Then place these mantra copies inside the stūpa and make offerings to that stūpa. Alternatively, build seven times seventeen small clay stūpas, placing one copy in each stūpa and making offerings to them.

When you have done this properly, those whose life spans are ending will have their lives extended. All past obstacles and negative karmic actions leading to unfortunate rebirths will be completely eradicated. You will be forever freed from the hell realms, the hungry ghost realm, and the animal realm. In every life you will remember your past lives clearly, and all your wishes will be fulfilled. You will have planted good roots before seven times seventy million Tathāgatas. All physical illnesses and mental afflictions will be eliminated."

If a person is gravely ill and nearing death, a square altar should be constructed for them. On this altar, various shapes should be depicted(such as a wheel, a vajra, a conch shell, a halberd, a crescent moon, and a lotus flower. At the four corners, lotus flowers should be drawn with vases placed upon them.). Fill the vases with fragrant water and place them at the four corners of the altar. Arrange incense burners and burn precious incense. Use five-colored bowls to hold various foods along with the three white foods(namely milk, yogurt, and white rice.). Additionally, use five bowls(each containing fragrant flowers, water, and white rice) as offerings on the altar. Place a vessel filled with various foods and a vase of water at the center of the altar. Near the edge of the altar, draw an image of Vinayaka and place a lamp on its head. Bring the sick person to the west side of the altar, facing it. Place a vessel of food before the sick person on the altar. The mantra master must be pure and follow proper procedures. Recite the mantra for this person seventy-seven times. The dying person will then enter a state of unconsciousness for seven days, prolonging their life, and their consciousness will return as if waking from a dream.

"If a person maintains pure precepts and recites this spell once daily for a full hundred years, that person will be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss at the end of their life. If someone recites it constantly at all times, right up to their enlightenment, they will always remember their past lives and be forever free from untimely death and all unfortunate realms of existence.

If someone recites the name of the deceased with wholehearted sincerity, and chants this mantra seventy-seven times, then if the deceased person has fallen into a lower realm of existence, they shall immediately be freed from its suffering, be reborn in a heavenly realm, and experience joy.

Alternatively, if one recites the deceased person's name, writes down this dhāraṇī according to the teachings, and places it within a Buddha stupa, making proper offerings, this too will enable the deceased to escape the lower realms, be reborn in the heavens, or even ascend to the Tuṣita heaven, and from there until the attainment of enlightenment, they will never fall into a state of suffering.

"Good men and good women who circumambulate, pay homage to, or make offerings before this stupa will receive a prophecy of their attainment of supreme, perfect enlightenment, never again to regress. All their past obstructions and karmic transgressions will be completely eliminated. Even birds and animals that come under the shadow of this stupa will be permanently freed from the suffering of the animal realms. Those who have committed the five heinous crimes and either come under the stupa's shadow or touch it will have their sins eradicated.

Wherever this stupa is placed, there will be no evil spirits, no yakshas, rakshasas, pishachas, vetanas, or venomous creatures, no poisonous plants, no ghouls or malevolent ghosts that drain vitality, and no suffering from weapons, war, floods, droughts, hailstorms, famine, untimely death, nightmares, or inauspicious troubles.

If any ominous signs appear in that land, the stupa will display its divine power, emitting a great blazing light, causing all such evil omens to be utterly destroyed. If hostile beings, enemies, or bandits threaten to devastate the country, the stupa will also burst forth with a great fire light, and in that very place, weapons will materialize. Seeing this, the evil intruders will naturally retreat and scatter.

The heavens and all virtuous gods will constantly guard that land, forming a great protective boundary around the country for a hundred leagues in every direction. Within it, all men, women, and even animals will be free from epidemics, disease, suffering, and conflict. None will commit any unlawful acts. This dharma cannot be destroyed by any other spells or incantations. This is called the Fundamental Dharani.

Good man! I will now teach you the Dharani of the Spire and Hub of the Stupa."

Then he spoke the spell.

This is a transliteration of a Buddhist dharani (mantra) into Chinese characters, not a passage with semantic meaning that can be translated. Since the task requires a natural English translation of concepts, and this text is a phonetic representation of a Sanskrit mantra, no meaning-based translation is possible.

However, if the request is to convert the Chinese transliteration back into a readable English approximation of the Sanskrit mantra, here is a non-scholarly reconstruction for accessibility:

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Oṃ sarva tathāgata vipulayeṣuṣṭi maṇi kaṇikā arasadā vipuṣuṭayeṣuṣṭi dhuru dhuru samanta vilokite sara sara pāpa viśodhani buddhani saṃbuddhani pravalayeṣuṣṭi vale maṇi tokṣe kruddi rāma ra viśuddhi huṃ huṃ svāhā

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This is a modern phonetic rendering, intended for recitation. For precise liturgical use, consult an authoritative Sanskrit source or teacher.

“Good man! You should properly write out this mantra ninety-nine times, and place them around the base of the spire. Also write out this mantra along with its benefits and methods, and secretly store it in the center of the spire. Once this is done, it is as if you have established ninety-nine thousand spires, as if you have enshrined ninety-nine thousand relics of the Buddha, as if you have built ninety-nine thousand stupas for the Buddha’s relics, as if you have constructed ninety-nine thousand great jeweled stupas of the Eight Great Sacred Sites, and as if you have built ninety-nine thousand stupas of the Enlightenment Site. If you make a small clay stupa and place this dharani inside it, it is already as if you have built ninety-nine thousand small jeweled stupas. If any living being circumambulates this stupa, or bows once, or joins palms once, or offers a single flower, a single incense, burning incense, scented paste, bells, canopies, or banners, then they have already made offerings to ninety-nine thousand Buddhist stupas. Thus, they will achieve a vast accumulation of merit and virtue. If any flying bird, mosquito, fly, or other insect comes within the shadow of this stupa, it will receive a prophecy of attaining Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi and will never turn back. If someone sees this stupa from afar, or hears the sound of its bells, or learns of its name, all their grave offenses—including the five heinous crimes—will be eradicated. They will be constantly protected and remembered by all Buddhas and will obtain the pure path of the Tathagata. This is called the Spire Dharani method. Good man! I will now teach you the Dharani method for constructing a Buddhist stupa.” Then he spoke the mantra:

Om! All Tathagatas' knowledge, may it purify the relics. O knowledge, spreading, expanding throughout the body. May all Tathagatas' blessings be bestowed upon us. Swaha!

If any monk, nun, layman, or laywoman builds a stupa themselves or teaches others to build one, restores an old stupa or makes a small stupa — whether made of clay, bricks, or stone — they should first recite the mantra one thousand and eight times before beginning construction. The size of the stupa may be as small as a fingernail, or a cubit high, or even up to a league. Through the power of the mantra and their sincere intention, the clay or stone of the stupa will emit a wondrous fragrance — such as sandalwood from the Ox-head Mountains, red and white sandalwood, aloeswood, musk, saffron, and heavenly fragrances. Whether they build it themselves or teach others, they will obtain immense roots of goodness and an abundant store of merit. If their lifespan is short, it will be extended. At the time of death, they will see ninety-nine billion hundred thousand nayutas of Buddhas. They will always be remembered by all Buddhas, who will give them a prophecy that they will be reborn in the realm of Ultimate Bliss. They will live there for ninety-nine billion hundred thousand nayutas of years, constantly possessing the power of recollecting past lives, the heavenly eye, the heavenly body, the heavenly ear, and the heavenly nose. Heavenly sandalwood fragrance will emanate from their body, and from their mouth will come the scent of the utpala flower. They will attain the five supernatural powers and never regress from achieving supreme, perfect enlightenment. If someone mixes mantra-incensed clay — even as little as a mustard seed — and applies it to this stupa, that person will also obtain the great store of merit described above.

"Monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen—if they faithfully copy this dharani method according to the rules, with a pure heart and the same respect and devotion as they would offer to the Buddha, and also make extra offerings to the person who copies it; and if, as described earlier, after writing the mantra seal they place it inside a stupa, inside a newly built stupa, or within the central pole of a stupa, following the proper procedure—then such a person will attain vast roots of goodness and a tremendous accumulation of merit."

When the Buddha taught this method of the dharani seal, all the Tathagatas from the ten directions simultaneously praised him, saying: "Excellent, excellent! Shakyamuni, the Tathagata, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One, has skillfully taught this great method of the dharani seal. It ensures that no living being who practices it comes away empty-handed—they gain great benefit, acquire a vast store of merit, and will never regress from the supreme, perfect enlightenment."

At that time, the assembly—including the Eight Classes of Beings, the Bodhisattvas, the Vajrapāṇi (principal Vajra-holding deity), the Four Guardian Kings, Śakra (Indra), Brahma, Nārāyaṇa, Maheśvara, Maṇibhadra, Pūrṇabhadra, along with the deities Bhadra, Yama, Varuṇa, Kubera, and Vāsava, as well as the various groups of immortals—upon hearing this Dharma, all gave rise to a mind of renunciation. They became subdued, gentle, and filled with great joy. With loud voices they said to one another: “Marvelous! Marvelous! The Buddhas, the Tathāgatas. Marvelous! Marvelous! The true, wonderful Dharma. Marvelous! Marvelous! This Dhāraṇī seal teaching. What the Tathāgata has spoken is extremely difficult to encounter.” At that time, the great Vedic Brahmin Kapila Caṇḍa, upon hearing this Dhāraṇī seal teaching of such great merit, supreme benefit, and immense advantage, immediately and clearly understood the nature of Dharma. He became remote from defilements and cleansed of dust, cut off all afflictions, destroyed all obstacles of wrongdoing, and extended his lifespan. He gave rise to boundless joy and soared with unmeasurable delight, thereby causing all sentient beings as well to attain pure hearts and clear minds.

At that time, the great Bodhisattva Sarvanīvaraṇa-Viṣkambhin held a jeweled platform, intricately adorned with various precious gems and beautified with the splendor of a Buddha. Out of a deep love for the Dharma, he made an offering to the Thus-Come One. He circumambulated him three times to the right, prostrated himself at the Buddha's feet, and said: "World-Honored One, this Great Dhāraṇī Mandala Dharma Seal is extremely hard to encounter. You have taught this wonderful treasury of the Dharma for all beings to safeguard Jambudvīpa, enabling beings to plant great roots of goodness, bestowing upon them life, and eradicating their afflictions. Now, for the sake of helping all beings plant roots of goodness and making offerings to all Thus-Come Ones, I will before the Buddha proclaim the Dharma of the Seal of My Own Mind Dhāraṇī." He then spoke this incantation:

Homage to the Blessed One, the worthy, perfectly enlightened Buddha, honored by the assembly of countless enlightened beings—hundreds, thousands, millions—across all realms. Homage to all Bodhisattvas who have overcome all obscurations and purified karmic actions.

(Repeat the following mantra:) *Turu Turu* – purify all my negative actions and defilements. *Sarvatathagata Mayu Palani* – May I be blessed by all enlightened ones. *Vibhuli* – radiant and brilliant. *Nimale* – stainless and pure. *Sarvasiddhi Namaskrite* – I bow to all attainments. *Bara Bara* – may I be supreme. *Sarvasattva Valokani* – benefit all beings. *Hum* – may obstacles be removed. *Sarva Papam Vishodhanam Svaha* – may all negative actions be purified, and may this prayer be fulfilled.

"World-Honored One! This dharani was spoken by ninety-nine billion Buddhas. If someone recites it with sincere devotion for even a moment, all their negative karma will be completely destroyed. If someone copies this mantra ninety-nine times according to the instructions and places them inside or around a stupa, and if others bow to, praise, or make offerings to that stupa with incense, flowers, ointments, or lamps - then those good men and women will, in this very life, eliminate all their offenses, remove all obstacles, and fulfill all their wishes. This is equivalent to making offerings to ninety-nine billion hundred-thousand nayutas of Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River, and also to ninety-nine billion hundred-thousand nayutas of relic stupas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. This accomplishes a vast collection of good roots and merit.

If a monk, on the 8th, 13th, 14th, or 15th day of the month, bathes, purifies himself, puts on clean clothes, fasts for one full day and night (or only eats three types of white food), and circumambulates a Buddha stupa while reciting this dharani 108 times - then the offenses of a hundred thousand kalpas, including the five heinous crimes, will be erased. I, Sarvanivarana-Vishkambhin (The Remover of Obstacles), will appear before that person, fulfill all their wishes, and enable them to see all Buddhas.

Those who recite it 208 times will attain various states of meditative absorption (dhyana). Those who recite it 308 times will attain the samadhi that purifies all obstacles. Those who recite it 408 times will have the Four Heavenly Kings constantly approach, appear, and protect them, increasing their majesty and virtue. Those who recite it 508 times will gather countless immeasurable good roots. Those who recite it 608 times will achieve mastery of the fundamental method of this mantra, becoming a celestial mantra-holding being. Those who recite it 708 times will attain great majesty and complete radiance. Those who recite it 808 times will achieve mental purity. Those who recite it 908 times will purify their five faculties. Those who recite it 1,008 times will attain the fruit of Stream-Enterer (Srotapanna). Those who recite it 2,000 times will attain the fruit of Once-Returner (Sakridagamin). Those who recite it 3,000 times will attain the fruit of Non-Returner (Anagamin). Those who recite it 4,000 times will attain the fruit of Arhat. Those who recite it 5,000 times will attain the fruit of Pratyekabuddha. Those who recite it 6,000 times will attain the ground of Samantabhadra. Those who recite it 7,000 times will attain the first Bodhisattva ground. Those who recite it 8,000 times will attain the fifth ground. Those who recite it 9,000 times will attain the Universal Gate Dharani (Samantamukha Dharani). Those who recite it 10,000 times will attain the Immovable Ground (Acala Bhumi). Those who recite it 11,000 times will attain the ground of a Tathagata, perfect the marks of a great person, and roar the great lion's roar."

"If there is someone who wishes to achieve merit and great benefit in this life, they should repair an old stupa, recite the mantra, and circumambulate it to the right one hundred and eight times. Whatever they wish for in their heart will be fulfilled."

Then Shakyamuni Buddha praised Sarvanīvaraṇa-Viṣkambhin, saying, "Excellent! Excellent! O virtuous one! You are able to follow the Tathāgata's method of reciting this mantra and assist in its proclamation."

Then Vajrapāṇi, the Lord of the Yakṣas, said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! This great mantra king, the Dhāraṇī method, is equal to the Tathāgata's treasury, and is likewise like a Buddha stupa. World-Honored One, by means of this excellent Dharma, you stabilize Jambudvīpa, causing all sentient beings to attain liberation, and enabling them in later times to perform great Buddha deeds."

The Buddha said, "O Vajrapāṇi! When this great mantra Dharma exists in the world, it is as if the Tathāgata himself were present. Because it can accomplish the deeds of the Buddha, even a small effort brings about a great accumulation of merit—how much more so, then, will a full practice bring about such roots of virtue that even hundreds of thousands of billions of nayutas of Ganges-river-sands of Buddhas could not fully describe them. What the Buddha's eye sees is beyond comparison, beyond measure, beyond speech."

Vajrapāṇi said, "By what cause and condition can one, with little effort, amass a great accumulation of merit?"

The Buddha said, "Listen well, for I shall explain to you. If a monk, a nun, a male lay follower, or a female lay follower wishes to fulfill a great accumulation of merit, they should, in accordance with the previous method, write out these four great dhāraṇī mantra kings, each one ninety-nine times. Then, before a Buddha stupa, they should create a square ritual platform, smear the ground with cow-dung, and place full vases of fragrant water at the four corners. They should arrange incense burners and set an offering bowl(filled with fragrant flowers, water, and rice) upon the altar, along with a three-flavored meal(made by cooking black sesame, green beans, and rice together) and a three-white-meal—each placed in its own vessel and arranged on the altar. Various kinds of fruit, ninety-nine in number, as well as all four types of food, and everything necessary, along with fragrant flowers, should be placed upon it. They should place the dhāraṇī mantra into the central pole of the stupa's spire and around the stupa, put the mantra king method inside the stupa, visualize the Buddhas of the ten directions, and recite this dhāraṇī with single-minded devotion."

He then spoke the mantra:

Namo all Buddhas (1) in the ten directions<p> who illuminate the world like the Ganges River<p> Om<p> Pure light, supreme light<p> Let all be radiant<p> Prajna (sublime wisdom), shining brilliantly<p> Flowing, flowing<p> The essence of all Tathagatas<p> Be firmly established, unwavering<p> May the realm of the True Ultimate be achieved(10)</p> And may all beings in heaven and on earth<p> Attain the Buddha’s presence and empowerment<p> Thus the sacred vow is fulfilled(13)</p>

You should keep burning incense continuously while reciting this dharani twenty-eight times. Immediately, the eight great bodhisattvas, the eight great yaksha kings, the vajra-bearing yaksha lord, the four heavenly kings, Indra, Brahma, Narayana, and Maheshvara will each use their own hands to together hold that stupa and its spire. Also, buddhas as numerous as the sands of ninety-nine billion hundred thousand nayuta Ganges rivers will all arrive at this place to bless that stupa and enshrine the Buddha's relics. Through this blessing, the stupa will become like a great mani jewel.

Through this, a person has already built ninety-nine billion hundred thousand nayuta great jewel stupas, thereby gaining vast good roots, an extended lifespan, a pure body free from defilement, all illnesses cured, and all disasters and obstacles eliminated. Anyone who sees this stupa will have their five heinous sins eradicated. Hearing the bells on the stupa will dissolve all evil karma. Upon death, they will be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Anyone who merely hears the name of this stupa spoken will attain non-retrogression. Even birds and animals that hear its sound will escape the animal realm, never to be reborn there again, and will gain a vast store of merit.

If someone wishes to perfectly fulfill the Six Perfections, they should construct a square altar. First, apply cow dung over the area, then cover it with clean soil. Sprinkle it with fragrant water, smooth it clean, and place five offering bowls upon the altar. Write the four kinds of dharanis mentioned above, ninety-nine copies each. With your own hands, make ninety-nine small stupas, and place one copy of each dharani inside each stupa. The wheel-topping dharani should also be placed in the central pole of each small stupa's finial. Arrange these stupas in rows upon the altar. Offer various fragrant flowers, circumambulate seven times, and recite this dharani:

Namo to the infinitely numerous Tathagatas, as many as the Ganges' sands, beyond measure, beyond count, beyond calculation, Om, fully purified, removing all obstacles, clearing away all hindrances, may protection and blessings be realized.

"Those who uphold and practice this teaching will perfectly fulfill all six paramitas. This is equivalent to building ninety-nine billion, hundreds of thousands of millions of Ganges-sand-filled stūpas, and is equivalent to making offerings to ninety-nine billion, hundreds of thousands of millions of Tathāgatas—worthy, fully enlightened ones—with vast clouds of heavenly offerings adorned with celestial palaces and divine offerings. Those Tathāgatas will all remember these virtuous men and women and cause them to acquire immense roots of goodness and merit.

If someone writes down this king of mantras according to the correct method, upholds, recites, and reveres it, and wears it on their person, the mantra’s power will protect them. It will cause all their enemies, enmity-filled factions, and any yakṣas, rākṣasas, or pūtanas to be unable to harm them. Instead, these beings will be struck with terror and flee in all directions.

Even those who merely speak with this person will have their five heinous offenses eliminated. Those who hear this person’s voice, stand in their shadow, or touch their body will have all their past obstacles and grave karmic debts cleared away. No poison will harm them, fire cannot burn them, water cannot drown them, curses and evil spirits cannot touch them, and thunder and lightning cannot frighten them. They will be continuously empowered by all Buddhas, comforted and remembered by every Tathāgata, strengthened by heavenly beings and good spirits, and beyond the reach of any other spell or ritual.

Therefore, seekers should pursue this mantra practice in every place. After writing it out, place it in a stūpa along the path so that all beings who pass by—down to birds, beasts, moths, flies, and ants—will forever escape all hells and evil realms, be reborn in celestial palaces, always remember their past lives, and never regress."

At that time, the Buddha spoke to the bodhisattva mahasattva Sarvanivarana-Viskambhin, the Lord of Vajra-Wielders, the Four Heavenly Kings, the King of the Shakyadevas, Brahma, and such beings as Narayana, Maheshvara, along with their retinues, saying: "Good people! I entrust this King of Mantra Methods to you. You should guard, uphold, and protect it, carrying it on your shoulders and storing it in a jeweled casket. In later times, do not let it be cut off. You should skillfully take it up, skillfully protect it, and pass it down to all beings in future generations, so that they may see, hear, and be freed from the Five Heinous Offenses."

At that time, the Bodhisattva Chubugaisheng (Sarvanīvaraṇaviṣkambhin), Vajrapāṇi, the Four Heavenly Kings, Śakra (Indra), Brahmā, Nārāyaṇa, Maheśvara, and all the Eight Divisions of devas and nāgas, together bowed at the Buddha’s feet and respectfully said:

“We have already received the Blessed One’s blessings and have been entrusted with this mantra and the method for building stūpas. We will all guard, uphold, recite, transcribe, and make offerings to them, for the sake of protecting all sentient beings. In the future, may we cause all beings to hear and know of this, so they do not fall into hell or other lower realms. To repay the Tathāgata’s great kindness, we shall protect and widely circulate this teaching, revering it as we would the Buddha himself, and ensuring it never falls into decay.”

The Buddha replied: “Excellent, excellent! You are all able to resolutely protect and uphold this Dhāraṇī teaching.”

At that moment, the great assembly rejoiced and faithfully put these words into practice.

Pure Light Dharani Sutra

I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

When facing hardships or happiness, When encountering the pleasant or the unpleasant, Simply observe how the mind responds— With attachment? With aversion? Or with ignorance?

And then, ask yourself: Who is it that clings? Who is it that rejects? Who is it that is deluded?

There is truly no "self" to be found— No one to cling, to reject, or to be ignorant. So let the mind be at peace, Naturally clear, naturally still.