Sutra of the Wonderful Arm Seal and Banner Dharani

Tang Dynasty Khotan Tripitaka Master Siksananda, by Imperial Command, Translated

Thus have I heard: At one time, the Buddha was residing in the wondrous palace atop Mount Kailasa, a haven for all creatures, together with a great assembly of twelve hundred and fifty monks, as well as countless bodhisattvas and great beings. Among them, the Dharma prince Manjushri was the foremost, all appearing in the form of youths, along with the sixteen elders led by Bhadrapala.

At that time, the World-Honored One, with mindful wisdom, taught the Dharma to gods and humans, bringing joy to all. Then Brahma, along with gods, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, and other beings, joined their palms together and said to the Buddha: "World-Honored One, there are beings who, because of various evil deeds, will fall into hell, the realm of hungry ghosts, animals, or Yama’s domain, suffering endlessly. We beg the World-Honored One, in your great compassion, to teach a method to eliminate such suffering, so that these beings may escape the hardships of the evil realms."

Then Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Mahāsattva, surrounded by countless great mantra-holding sages, bowed at the Buddha’s feet and said: "World-Honored One, please look upon them with compassion and use skillful means to save all beings in the world."

The Buddha replied: "Good man, there is a dhāraṇī called the Banner of the Wondrous Arm Seal. If one constantly recites, studies, and reflects on it, it will quickly eliminate the five heinous sins, and one will be born into wealthy, peaceful, and noble families." Then the World-Honored One spoke this mantra:

"Listen, virtuous ones. This dhāraṇī has been spoken by Buddhas as numerous as the grains of sand in the Ganges River. Ānanda, it is rare to encounter a Buddha in this world, and difficult to be born as a human being. Yet, it is even more difficult to uphold and recite this mantra. Virtuous ones, I recall that in the past, from the time of the Buddha Vipaśyin down to the Buddha Kāśyapa, each of them taught me this dhāraṇī. They did so out of a universal wish to bring peace and benefit to all beings, and I personally studied and received it from each Buddha."

After the World-Honored One had spoken this mantra, the great being Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, along with the assembly of devas, nāgas, and the eightfold heavenly hosts, all who heard the Buddha's words were filled with great joy. They faithfully accepted and put it into practice.

Sutra of the Wonderful Arm Seal and Banner Dharani