佛說壽生經
The Buddha Speaks the Life-Giving Sutra
貞觀十三年有唐三藏法師往西天求教，因檢大藏經，見壽生經一卷，有十二相屬，南贍部洲生下為人，先於冥司下各借壽生錢，有注命官秪揖人道，見今庫藏空閑，催南贍部洲眾生交納壽生錢。阿難又問：「世尊！南贍部洲眾生多有大願，不能納得。」佛言：「道教看金剛經、壽生經能折本命錢，為秪證經力甚大。若眾生不納壽生錢，睡中驚恐、眠夢顛倒，三魂杳杳、七魄幽幽，微生空中共亡人語話相逐，攝人魂魄、滅人精神，為欠壽生錢。若有善男子善女人破旁納得壽生錢，免得身邊一十八般橫災：第一遠路陂泊內被惡人窺算之災、第二遠路風雹雨打之災、第三過江度河落水之災、第四墻倒屋塌之災、第五火光之災、第六血光之災、第七勞病之災、第八疥癩之災、第九咽喉閉塞之災、第十落馬傷人之災、第十一車碾之災、第十二破傷風死之災、第十三產難之災、第十四橫死之災、第十五卒中風病之災、第十六天行時氣之災、第十七投井自繫之災、第十八官事口舌之災。若有善男子善女人納得壽生錢，免了身邊一十八般橫災。若有人不納不折壽生錢，後世為人多注貧賤、壽命不長、醜陋不堪、多饒殘疾。但看注壽生經，又名受生經真經不虗，除了身邊災，免了身邊禍。又說十地菩薩，長壽王菩薩摩訶薩、延壽王菩薩摩訶薩、增福壽菩薩摩訶薩、消災障菩薩摩訶薩、救苦難觀世音菩薩摩訶薩、長安樂菩薩摩訶薩、長歡喜菩薩摩訶薩、解冤結菩薩摩訶薩、福壽王菩薩摩訶薩、延壽長菩薩摩訶薩。本宅龍神土地罪消滅，滿宅家眷罪消滅，惡口浪舌罪消滅，殺生害命罪消滅前生冤業罪消滅今生冤業罪消滅前生父母罪消滅，今生父母罪消滅。又說災星，金星、木星、水星、火星、土星、太陽星、太陰星、羅睺星、計都星、紫炁星、月孛星。懺悔已後，願災星不照，福曜長臨，四時無病、八節無災。若有善男子善女人早納壽生錢，分明解說，漏貫薄小納在庫中，庫官收付，至百年命終之後七七已前，早燒取壽生經救度三世父母、七代先亡，九族冤魂皆得生天。儒流學士僧尼道俗或貴或賤，若有善男子善女人今生早燒壽生錢，三世富貴；今生不燒，三世貧賤，後世難得人身，縱得為人，瘸手瘸足、無目跛腰、癡聾瘖瘂、衣不葢形食不充口、被人輕賤。若早燒壽生錢，注衣注食、注命注祿。」本命星官、本命判官、修羅王事、天龍八部，聞佛所說，皆大歡喜，信受奉行佛說壽生經。即說呪曰：
In the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan era, the Tang Dynasty's Dharma Master Xuanzang journeyed to the Western Heavens to seek teachings. While examining the Buddhist canon, he came across a scroll called the *Life-Loan Sutra*, which describes the twelve zodiac signs. It states that all humans born in the southern continent of Jambudvīpa first borrow a "life-loan" from the underworld treasury. The officials in charge of destiny then greet them into the human realm. Now, the treasury is empty, and the beings of Jambudvīpa are being urged to repay their life-loans.
Ananda asked further, "World-Honored One, many beings in Jambudvīpa have great vows but cannot repay their loans."
The Buddha said, "The teachings show that reciting the *Diamond Sutra* and the *Life-Loan Sutra* can offset this life-debt, proving the immense power of these sutras. If beings do not repay their life-loan, they will suffer from frightful dreams, disordered sleep, their three ethereal souls drifting and seven material souls fading. In their weakened state, they will converse with the dead in empty spaces, have their souls seized, and their vitality drained—all because of the unpaid life-debt.
If good men or good women diligently repay their life-loan, they will avoid eighteen kinds of sudden disasters around them:
First, the disaster of being plotted against by malicious people on distant roads or shores. Second, the disaster of being struck by wind, hail, or rain on a long journey. Third, the disaster of falling into water while crossing rivers or lakes. Fourth, the disaster of collapsing walls or houses. Fifth, the disaster of fire. Sixth, the disaster of bloodshed. Seventh, the disaster of exhaustion and illness. Eighth, the disaster of skin diseases and leprosy. Ninth, the disaster of a blocked throat. Tenth, the disaster of falling from a horse and being injured. Eleventh, the disaster of being crushed by a cart. Twelfth, the disaster of dying from tetanus. Thirteenth, the disaster of difficult childbirth. Fourteenth, the disaster of an untimely death. Fifteenth, the disaster of a sudden stroke. Sixteenth, the disaster of epidemic diseases. Seventeenth, the disaster of drowning oneself or hanging oneself. Eighteenth, the disaster of lawsuits and disputes.
If good men or good women repay their life-loan, they avoid these eighteen sudden disasters around them. If someone does not repay or offset their life-loan, in future lives they will be marked by poverty and low status, have a short lifespan, be extremely ugly, and suffer from many disabilities.
Simply look to the *Life-Loan Sutra*, also called the *Receiving-Life Sutra*—a true sutra, not false. It removes disasters and averts misfortunes around you.
It also speaks of the Ten Ground Bodhisattvas: the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva King of Longevity, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva King of Life Extension, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva Increase of Fortune and Longevity, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva Dispeller of Calamities, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva Guanyin Who Saves from Suffering, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva of Lasting Peace and Joy, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva of Lasting Happiness, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva Who Unties Karmic Knots, the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva King of Fortune and Longevity, and the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva of Extended Longevity.
The sins of the local dragon gods and earth deities are eradicated. The sins of all household members are eradicated. The sin of malicious gossip is eradicated. The sin of killing and harming life is eradicated. Karmic obstructions from past lives are eradicated. Karmic obstructions from this life are eradicated. The sins of parents from past lives are eradicated. The sins of parents in this life are eradicated.
It also speaks of the calamity stars: Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, the Sun Star, the Moon Star, Rāhu, Ketu, the Purple Energy Star, and the Moon's Comet Star.
After repentance, may the calamity stars not shine upon you, but may the stars of fortune always be present. May you be free from illness in all four seasons and free from disaster in all eight periods.
If good men or good women repay their life-loan early, explain it clearly, and deposit even a small amount into the treasury—received by the treasury officials—then before the forty-nine days after their life ends at a hundred years, they should early on burn the *Life-Loan Sutra* to rescue and deliver their parents of three lifetimes and seven generations of ancestors. All karmic creditors from the nine clans will then be reborn in the heavens.
Whether scholars, students, monks, nuns, Daoists, laypeople, noble or common—if good men or good women burn their life-loan repayment in this life, they will have wealth and honor for three lifetimes. If they do not burn it in this life, they will be poor and lowly for three lifetimes. In future lives, it will be difficult to obtain a human body. Even if they do become human, they will be crippled in hands and feet, blind, hunchbacked, foolish, deaf, mute, with clothes not covering their body and food not filling their mouth, despised by others.
If they burn their life-loan repayment early, they will be granted clothing, food, life, and fortune.
The Star Official of One's Birth Year, the Judge of One's Destiny, the Affairs of the Asura Kings, and the Eight Kinds of Divine Beings, hearing the Buddha's words, all rejoiced greatly, accepted them in faith, and practiced accordingly.
The Buddha Speaks the *Life-Loan Sutra*.
Then he spoke the mantra:
「天羅呪，地羅呪，日月黃羅呪，一切冤家離我身，摩訶般若波羅蜜，一解冤經，二延壽真言，三滅五逆之罪。誦此經，免地獄之罪，便得生天不虗矣。」
Heavenly Net Mantra, Earthly Net Mantra, Sun and Moon Yellow Net Mantra, May all adversaries depart from me. Great Perfection of Wisdom, First, the Sutra to Resolve Grievances, Second, the True Words to Prolong Life, Third, to Eliminate the Five Heinous Crimes. Recite this sutra, be spared from the sins of hell, And you will surely be reborn in heaven, without fail.
佛說壽生經
The Buddha Speaks the Life-Giving Sutra