Sutra of the Mantra of the Bodhisattva Ā (聖虛空藏菩薩陀羅尼經)

Sutra of the Mantra of the Holy Bodhisattva Akashagarbha

Translated by the Tripitaka Master and Propagator of the Dharma, the Purple-Robed Monk Fazitian, at Nalanda Monastery in

Thus I have heard:

At that time, the World-Honored One was dwelling not far from the celestial palace on Joyful Mountain Peak, in a hermitage, together with a great assembly of five hundred bhikkhus. There were also many bodhisattva-mahasattvas, all of whom were destined to attain supreme perfect enlightenment within their final lifetime. Their names were:

Maitreya Bodhisattva Mahasattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Mahasattva, Boundless Flower Bodhisattva Mahasattva, Universal Flower Bodhisattva Mahasattva, Akashagarbha Bodhisattva Mahasattva, and five hundred other great bodhisattvas were all present together.

At that time, the World-Honored One and all the Bodhisattvas saw two monks beneath the mountain, by the riverbank in the forest, naked, stretching out their hands, crying out and weeping. Then the Bodhisattva Akashagarbha (Space Treasury) rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, knelt on his right knee, and with palms joined respectfully said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! Those two monks by the Ganges River—what is the cause, what is the condition, that they stand naked, stretching out their hands, crying out and weeping?"

At that time, the World-Honored One said to the great Bodhisattva Akashagarbha, "Those two monks are afflicted by illness and possessed by pretas, which is why they are naked, crying out, and weeping."

At that time, the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Akashagarbha said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One! How can such illnesses be eradicated? How can such afflictions be dispelled?"

At that time, the World-Honored One, through his spiritual powers, gathered all the Buddhas. In the sky, six Tathagatas appeared, in order to bear witness to the Dharma of the seventh World-Honored One, Tathagata Shakyamuni.

At that time, the Tathāgata Vipaśyin, wishing to benefit all sentient beings, dispel illnesses, and drive away malevolent spirits, joyfully proclaimed this dhāraṇī:

Namo Buddhaya. Namo Dharmaya. Namah Sanghaya. Om Cala Cala Hiri Hiri Hiraaya. Namo Ghanamō Calanāya. Namo Namah Svāhā.

At that time, the Tathagata Vipashyin, having spoken this mantra, addressed the Bodhisattva Mahasattva Akashagarbha, saying: "If there are those who receive, uphold, recite, and make offerings to this Dharani, know that such persons will be free from illness and pain, unharmed by weapons, safe from drowning, and unaffected by poison. They will not suffer untimely death, nor encounter trouble with food or drink. They will gain the ability to retain what they have heard, enjoy a long life, and be constantly protected and remembered by all Buddhas at all times. Furthermore, if one is deaf, one may anoint oil with the mantra seven times and drop it into the ear, and the deafness will naturally dissolve."

At that time, the Tathagata Shiki, wishing to benefit all sentient beings, dispel illness, and drive away spirits, joyfully proclaimed this dharani:

Namo Buddhāya, Namo Dharmāya, Namo Saṅghāya. Om, Paca paca, Paca pacāya, Sarvabhūtānām, Cūḍikāleya, Paravineyānām, Svāhā.

Namo Buddhaaya. Namo Dharmaya. Namo Sanghaya. Om, kara kara, kara kara, Kuru sana, kurus, Sarva graha sha, Svaha.