Sutra of the Supreme Dhāraṇī of All Tathāgatas' Uṣṇīṣa

This is what I heard:

At that time, the Buddha was seated peacefully in the Great Hall of Good Dharma within the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Then, the Tathāgata Amitāyus, the Worthy One of Perfect Enlightenment, addressed the Holy Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Mahāsattva, saying: "Noble one! For the benefit of all sentient beings who suffer from illness, affliction, and short lifespans, there is the supreme dhāraṇī gateway of all Tathāgatas known as the Uṣṇīṣa. If a person upholds, recites, and reads it, they will swiftly attain freedom from illness, long life, and well-being."

Then Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva immediately rose from his seat, placed his palms together respectfully, and addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One, I now wish to hear this supreme dhāraṇī teaching of the uṣṇīṣa of all buddhas, well-pledged and well-proclaimed.”

At that moment, the World-Honored One observed the great assembly of humans and heavenly beings, then entered the Samadhi of Universal Illumination and Auspiciousness. Emerging from this concentration, he spoke this supreme dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas, known as the Uṣṇīṣa, saying:

Om. I pay homage to the Bhagavan, the Tathagata, the Arhat, the Fully Enlightened One, the Vairocana who resides in all places, the conqueror, the one who has completely transcended.

Namo. Thus it is.

Om. Blazing, blazing, blazing. Purify, purify. Completely purify, completely purify. May all be fully perfected. May all be accomplished. May all be pacified. May all be cleansed. May all Tathagatas bestow their blessing. May the great seal of the Dharma be established. Ah ha ra, ah ha ra. May the vow be fulfilled. Purify, purify. May all be pacified.

May the ushnisha, the supreme crown, be fully pacified. May the assembly of the Sangha be joyful. May all Tathagatas grant the perfection of the path. May all Tathagatas be mindful. May they firmly establish it. May they firmly establish it. Greatly establish it. Vajra-like, lion-like, may it be fully pacified.

May all karmic obstructions be pacified. May all that is done be perfected. May all wishes be fulfilled. May the samaya of all Tathagatas be firmly established.

Om. Muni, muni, great muni. Supreme muni, supreme muni. Ground, ground, great ground. Great ground of suchness. May all Buddha-factors be fully pacified. May all be completely awakened and pacified. Hi hi. Victorious, victorious, supremely victorious, supremely victorious. Samaya, samaya. Sphara, sphara. May the enlightenment of all Buddhas be firmly established. Pacified, pacified, awakened.

Vajri, vajri, great vajri. Excellent vajri. Vajra-garbha, vajra-essence. Vajra-nature, vajra-being. Vajra-holder. Vajra-speech. Vajra-all. Vajra-eye. Vajra-seer. May all beings be difficult to conquer, yet be fully pacified. May I see all. May all bases be fully pacified. May the heart of all Tathagatas be united in perfect union.

Mum, mum. Sim, sim. Purify, purify. Completely purify, completely purify. Subdue, subdue. Completely subdue, completely subdue. Purify, purify. Completely purify, completely purify. May all be perfectly subdued. May all be in harmony and fully pacified.

May the hearts of all Tathagatas be firmly established. Establish it, establish it, greatly establish it. May the perfection of the Dharma-banner be accomplished. Svaha.

Noble one! This supreme dhāraṇī of all Tathāgatas' Uṣṇīṣa has the power to extend life, eliminate karmic transgressions, and swiftly bring about purity. If you write this dhāraṇī on plain silk or birch bark, enshrine it within a stūpa, and make extensive offerings to it, then, after making offerings, circumambulate it a thousand times to the right with reverence, bow, and make offerings according to your ability, you will gain increased wisdom. If your lifespan is seven days, it will extend to seven years; if your lifespan is seven years, it will extend to seventy years. You will attain such long life and happiness, be free from all illnesses, and gain the supernormal power of recollecting past lives, remembering them clearly without forgetting. If you wear it upon your crown, you will eliminate karmic obstacles and attain the benefits as described before.

Furthermore, if you take clean silk or birch bark, write this dharani with saffron paste along with your own name, make a sandalwood stupa, place this dharani inside it, enshrine it in a room, offer extensive offerings, circumambulate it a thousand times, and recite this dharani eight hundred times, you will be freed from all illnesses and your life will be extended for a hundred years.

Furthermore, if you lack sandalwood, you may use pure clay to make a stūpa. Inside, draw a karma vajra; outside, draw the four protective gates of the Vajradhātu. In the center, write your own name and place the dhāraṇī. The merit gained will be no different from before.

Alternatively, you may write this dhāraṇī with saffron, place it inside a clean vessel, and cover it with another clean vessel. Set it in a room and make extensive offerings. You will long receive protection and be free from all disasters.

Furthermore, one should prepare a square mandala using pure cow dung that does not touch the ground. Scatter white flowers upon it, place four lamps burning clarified butter at the four corners of the altar, burn sandalwood and frankincense, fill a bowl with pure offering water, and also make a garland of white flowers. Place this dhāraṇī either within a stūpa or within a meritorious image upon the altar.

The practitioner, with the left hand placed upon the altar and the right hand holding a mala, should recite this dhāraṇī twenty-one times during three periods of the day. Empower three measures of water with it and drink it oneself. This can eradicate all illnesses, extend life for a hundred years, resolve all enmities and entanglements, grant a beautiful voice and unobstructed eloquence, and in life after life, one will constantly attain the superknowledge of remembering past lives.

If one sprinkles the previously empowered pure water upon a royal palace, one's own dwelling, or even the places where cattle and horses reside, it will swiftly remove the perils of rākṣasas, nāgas, and serpents. One will constantly gain protection and be freed from all fears. If there is sickness or suffering, sprinkling the water upon the head will permanently eradicate all serious illnesses.

Thus, the praises for this great dhāraṇī are immeasurable. As one practices accordingly, one will certainly attain accomplishment.

Again, take a willow branch, empower it with this mantra twenty-one times, then use it to clean your teeth. This will bring freedom from illness, wisdom, and long life.

Again, use a clean vessel to hold water. Empower it twenty-one times. Drink three small cups of this water three times a day. Empower the water once more before each time you drink. This will dispel all sickness and bring peace, well-being, and long life.

Then the noble Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, the Great Being, circled the Buddha of Immeasurable Life three times, respectfully placed his palms together, and addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One, how should a virtuous man or woman proceed in creating images of the Buddha, in building stupas and temples, and in performing the fire-offering practice to achieve its purpose? I earnestly pray that you will explain this.”

The Buddha said to the holy Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva: "Excellent, excellent! O Greatly Fearless One! Listen with single-minded attention. As you have asked, I shall now explain it to you." At that time, the Tathāgata Amitāyus also entered the samādhi of universal illumination and auspiciousness. Emerging from this concentration, he then proclaimed the dhāraṇī method of all Tathāgatas concerning immeasurable life:

Om Amriti Amriti Amriti Dhanapavi Amrita Vikrante Amrita Gamine Amrita Yurine Nagaganakirite Kari Sarva Kili Shachayan Kariye Svaha

At that time, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life, having taught this Dharma method, addressed the bodhisattvas, saying: "If a good man or good woman uses this method to bless pure soil, mixes it with water to make mud, and further blesses it; then forms that mud into a stupa, even up to its spire, blessing each part in sequence and making offerings, they will obtain vast and supreme benefits."

There is also the supreme method of the shrine tower. One may make a tower of gold and silver, a tower of lapis lazuli, a tower of padmarāga gemstone, or even a tower of various precious jewels. Adorn it properly, twelve finger-widths high, placed upon a lotus pedestal. On the four sides of the tower, place the Four Heavenly Kings who protect the world, each holding a banner. Before the tower, place Lord Śakra, holding a bow. Also place the Pure Abode deities, holding incense, flowers, and perfumes. To the left of the tower, place Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva; to the right, place Vajrapāṇi Bodhisattva, each holding a white whisk. Such is the arrangement of the tower.

Furthermore, separately draw a lotus flower and write around it this "Most Victorious Dhāraṇī of All Tathāgatas' Uṣṇīṣa." Place it inside the tower. Sprinkle it clean with perfumed water and offer exquisite incense and flowers, performing a thousand kinds of offerings.

If one wishes to benefit all beings, extend lifespan, and increase wisdom, one should always, on the eighth day of the bright fortnight, maintain purity day and night, uphold pure precepts, and then before the jeweled tower recite this dhāraṇī one thousand times. Doing this each month for six full months, one will attain a lifespan of a thousand years. Or, if with sincere resolve and diligent effort one recites it day and night, one will attain a lifespan as long as a hundred thousand years. Or, if one recites it daily, one's lifespan will increase immeasurably; one will gain great power, become no different from devas, humans, and asuras, and attain the merit of moving freely through the skies.

There is another method. In a quiet place, take pure soil, mix it with perfumed water to make clay, and use it to form towers—one, two, three, four, five, up to hundreds or thousands. Write the aforementioned dhāraṇī and place it inside the towers. Perform hundreds and thousands of extensive offerings, recite this dhāraṇī seven hundred times, and each day wisdom will increase and lifespan will extend without limit. Or, for all beings bound by fetters, imprisoned or confined, reciting this dhāraṇī will bring them liberation.

Furthermore, if there are beings who make abundant offerings before a Dhāraṇī Stupa, and each day recite it fully eight hundred times, while arousing a mind of equal benefit for self and others—by practicing in this way, they will eliminate the eight adversities, constantly attain peace and happiness, extend their lifespan to a hundred years, and be cherished by all. Before long, they will swiftly attain the supernormal power of recollecting past lives. When such a person’s life ends, they will not be reborn in the evil destinies of hell, the animal realm, or the domain of Yama. Like a snake shedding its skin, they will immediately be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, obtain great fruition, and experience sublime, wonderful joy beyond description. They will not even hear the sounds of hell, much less be born there.

Then, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life further taught the method for creating a sacred image, enabling all beings to attain boundless life, transcend the cycle of rebirth, and be liberated from all suffering.

First, use clean threads spun by a pure maiden. Weave them into plain silk according to the prescribed measurements. Using the finest colors, paint the supreme, mantra-empowered form of the Uṣṇīṣa and its subtle seed syllables. Place this image inside a stupa. The body radiates a thousand lights, seated upon a lotus and moon disc, adorned with all splendors, with a face like the full moon.

The image has three faces, three eyes, and eight arms. The right face is golden and peaceful; the left face is wrathful, with sharp fangs and the color of a blue lotus; the central face is perfectly round and white. The first right hand holds a vajra at the heart; the second holds a lotus upon which rests the Buddha of Immeasurable Life; the third holds an arrow; the fourth forms the gesture of granting wishes. The first left hand forms a vajra fist holding a lasso, with the index finger raised; the second holds a bow; the third forms the gesture of fearlessness; the fourth holds a precious vase topped with a stupa.

Upon the neck, place the syllable OṂ. Upon the heart, place the syllable ĀḤ. Upon the forehead, place the syllable HŪṂ. Upon the navel, place the syllable TRAṂ. Upon the feet, place the syllables KILI KILA SVĀHĀ for protection. Beneath the mantra, inscribe one's own name.

On both sides of the image, paint Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva and Vajrapāṇi Bodhisattva, each holding a white whisk. Above the image, paint the Pure Abode deities showering down nectar rain. On the four sides of the cloth, paint the wrathful vajra guardians: the Immovable Wisdom King, the Tākki Wisdom King, the Nīladaṇḍa Wisdom King, and the Great Power Wisdom King, each wielding a sword, a hook, a vajra, and a vajra staff to subdue evil demons.

Paint the sacred image with such focused intent. When a practitioner performs this method, they must first, with sincere focus, observe pure precepts for a full day and night before a relic stupa. Then, before the sacred image, offer a thousand kinds of offerings. Beginning on the first day of the waxing moon, recite this mantra one hundred thousand times. On the fifteenth day, again offer a thousand kinds of offerings. At dawn the next morning, the holy image of the mantra will manifest before the person, and all that is sought will be accomplished without fail.

Furthermore, place this Dhāraṇī image in a quiet location, cleanse it with fragrant water, and offer it reverent worship. Recite this Dhāraṇī eight hundred times daily. Then, once each month, offer a thousand kinds of offerings and recite the Dhāraṇī a thousand times. You will attain immeasurable lifespan, immeasurable dignity, the freedom to soar through the sky, the ability to memorize a thousand verses daily, speech free from confusion, and the power to relieve all serious illnesses of sentient beings.

If one cannot perform the practice as described above, then simply in one's own dwelling, on the eighth day of the waxing moon, cleanse the place with fragrant water, set up the image, and make offerings according to one's ability. With focused mind, recite this Dhāraṇī seven to eight hundred times before the image. Additionally, recite it twenty-one times three times daily. This will increase wisdom, bring freedom from illness and well-being, extend life for a hundred years, and grant the power of recollection of past lives.

If one is personally unable to perform the practice and recite, one may request another to do it. This will also lead to long life, keen intelligence, and wisdom.

Furthermore, the homa ritual is performed for the benefit of all beings. Construct a circular fire altar, one cubit wide and twelve finger-widths deep. Outline its outer boundary with a vajra, and plaster it with a mixture of white sandalwood paste and white clay. Scatter white flowers inside the altar, and place four lamps of clarified butter at its four sides. Make offerings of incense and flowers to all four directions. Place a finely crafted argha water vessel, as prescribed, with a white cloth wrapped around its neck, and place a branch from a fruit-bearing tree in its mouth. Take a green branch, twelve finger-widths long, from a tree with white sap. Use this branch together with dry firewood to light the fire, and then invite the Fire Deva. After the invitation, pour three measures of clarified butter into the altar three times, each time reciting the Fire Deva's mantra for empowerment. Then, send off the Fire Deva, and visualize Amitayus Buddha clearly present within the altar. Recite the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani. Then, as before, pour three measures of clarified butter into the altar while reciting this mantra:

Om Amitāyur-nāma Svāhā

When using the five grains, take a pinch of grain mixed with clarified butter with three fingers. While stating your desired wish, recite the mantra once and toss it into the fire. Do this up to eight hundred times. Perform the practice in this way three times a day. Also recite the Supreme Dhāraṇī of All Tathāgatas' Uṣṇīṣa. It will dispel all illnesses, bestow wisdom and long life, and fulfill all wishes without fail.

On the eighth day of the month, before an image of the deity, perform the homa ritual three times a day. Recite this true mantra one thousand times. This will increase your lifespan by a thousand years, but you must not harm any living being and must always practice generosity.

This practice can subdue adversaries, increase wisdom, and grant a beautiful voice. If you are unable to perform the ritual yourself, have someone else perform it for you. It will pacify all evil and misfortune.

Furthermore, the method of accomplishment. As previously described, perform the homa ritual using the five grains, then recite the Uṣṇīṣa Vijaya Dhāraṇī one hundred thousand times. After completing the homa, recite it another hundred thousand times. This can extend one's lifespan from one hundred thousand to one hundred million years, or even immeasurable years, granting the ability to soar through the skies at will and subdue demonic adversaries.

If seeking wealth and auspicious fortune, perform the homa ritual as described before, and recite the dhāraṇī one hundred thousand times. One will permanently attain great wealth and prosperity.

If seeking an official position, use lotus flowers in the homa ritual for one hundred thousand recitations, and one will obtain a high official rank.

There is also a method for accomplishing the sword. Place the previously described image before a stūpa, offer a thousand kinds of offerings, and recite this dhāraṇī one hundred thousand times. Fashion a sword from five metals and place it before the stūpa, then recite the dhāraṇī another hundred thousand times to empower the sword.

Once the sword is empowered, grasp it with the right hand. One will attain the power of miraculous transformation and complete freedom of action, possessing great majestic authority and immeasurably increased lifespan, and will be able to create fortune or misfortune for all beings.

Furthermore, as with the previous method, whether using a vajra, a wheel, a trident, or other implements, all can accomplish the practice, attaining the extraordinary and immeasurable merits described earlier. This great dhāraṇī is the heart of all Tathāgatas, exceedingly rare and profound. As previously described, diligent practice will certainly lead to accomplishment.

If there is a person who, three times each day, recites this supreme dhāraṇī of the Uṣṇīṣa of All Tathāgatas twenty-one times, makes offerings, and then earnestly upholds it, and also explains it to others, enabling those beings to attain great happiness, long life free from illness, great wisdom, and the recollection of past lives—then when that person’s life ends, like a snake shedding its skin, they will be reborn in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, receiving great reward. Their ears will not even hear the sounds of hell, much less be born there.

When the Buddha had spoken this sutra, all beings of the world—gods, humans, asuras, gandharvas, and others—hearing the Buddha’s teaching, rejoiced greatly, faithfully accepted it, and put it into practice.

Sutra on the Supreme Dhāraṇī of All Tathāgatas' Uṣṇīṣa, Spoken by the