Sutra of the Eight Secret Names Spoken by the Buddha (佛說秘密八名陀羅尼經)

Sutra of the Secret Eight Names Spoken by the Buddha

Translated by Dharma-Virtuous, Master of Bright Teaching, Court Minister of the Imperial Library, Tripitaka Master of the Western Regions, by

This is what I heard:

At that time, the Buddha was staying in the Jeta Grove of Anathapindika's Park in the kingdom of Shravasti, together with a great assembly of 1,250 bhikkhus. Also present was an assembly of great bodhisattvas, with Vajrapani as their leader.

Then the World-Honored One addressed the Vajra-Hand Bodhisattva, the Great Secret Master, saying: “Just as your own division is called the Vajra Division, within the treasury of mantra-holders there exists the most supreme, profound, and secret Dharma. Sentient beings, with their shallow awareness and narrow, inferior faculties, find this secret meaning difficult to believe and hard to understand. You have already spoken of the method that is hard to believe. If one does not practice according to the Dharma, one cannot be called a sage; such a one is named ‘unwholesome’ and also called ‘difficult to tame.’

O Vajra-Hand! I shall now briefly explain for you, within the Vajra Division, your secret eight names and the dhāraṇī. This dhāraṇī, if recited, will easily accomplish all that is sought. If a person hears this dhāraṇī scripture, and with utmost sincerity accepts, upholds, and recites it, all that person’s uninterrupted evil karma will be completely eradicated. While upholding this scripture, by the power of the Dharma, all eighty-four thousand koṭis of nayutas of evil demonic hordes will retreat, scatter, and flee to the worlds of the ten directions.

If a person hears this dhāraṇī with joy and delight, that person—if lacking precepts will obtain complete precepts; if not leading a pure life will achieve a pure life; if not tranquil will attain tranquility; and will even behold the buddhas and bodhisattvas, who will rejoice, comfort, and bestow the fulfillment of all wishes.”

At that time, Vajrapani Bodhisattva, having received the Buddha's admonishment, bowed with his head touching the ground and said: "World-Honored One! What I said earlier was indeed as Your Holy Will has pointed out. I only pray that the World-Honored One, with unwavering great compassion, will proclaim for me the eight secret names and the dhāraṇī, for the sake of all sentient beings present and in the future, so that they may obtain great benefit."

The Buddha said to Vajrapani, "Listen closely, listen closely. In the most excellent collection of mantras, within the Vajra section, I will reveal your eight secret names: First, Elephant-Ear; Second, Wondrous Adornment; Third, Treasure-Sea of Merits; Fourth, The Unmoving One; Fifth, The Cloud of Truth; Sixth, Lovely Appearance; Seventh, Blazing Light; Eighth, Sublime Form. Vajrapani, these are your eight secret names." He then spoke this dharani:

The Buddha said to Vajrapani Bodhisattva, "This secret name and mantra are such that if someone receives, upholds, recites, and chants them, that person will not fall into hell for seven trillion, countless hundreds of thousands of kalpas. At the time of death, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will appear before them, offering comfort and teaching the Dharma. After death, they will be reborn in the Tusita Heaven."