The Sutra of the Great Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Wheel and the Ox-King Protective Deity Spoken by the Buddha
Once, the Buddha was staying at the Deer Park in Varanasi, where he was turning the Wheel of the Dharma on the Four Noble Truths for the five monks, including Ajnata Kaundinya. At that time, in the assembly, there was a celestial being named Ox-King Spirit. He rose from his seat, bowed respectfully with palms together, prostrated at the Buddha's feet, and said to him: "World-Honored One! I have a sacred spell that brings fulfillment of desires and complete satisfaction, and that benefits all sentient beings. Out of compassion, I ask you to allow me to teach this great spell."
The Buddha then praised him, saying: "Excellent! Please teach it quickly. I am eager to hear it."
At that time, the heavenly prince pronounced this mantra:
Om, the turmoil is pacified, the turmoil is pacified. Calm the restless, calm the restless. Resolve confusion, remove all obstacles. With unwavering mind and the jewel of truth, realize the pure state. So be it.
At that time, the Blessed One, having heard this sacred mantra, looked upon all beings with compassion. For the benefit and happiness of all living beings, he spoke these verses:
"All beings in this world, Oppressed by poverty and hardship, Though they seek wealth and fortune,
They should give to others, Helping them find freedom from worry. Using skillful means, they surpass all creatures,
Compassionate toward all beings, They share precious treasures, Fulfilling everyone's deepest wishes,
Equal to the heavenly beings, Their merit and power are boundless and immeasurable."
At that time, the Venerable Deity and the Queen of Wisdom, with joyful faith and sincere hearts, offered various fragrant flowers, lamps, and the four kinds of necessities as offerings. They paid homage to the Deity of the Ox-King Divine Pearl and recited a verse:
"Fragrant paste, garlands of flowers, and incense, Bright lamps, food and drink, and offerings of coins and silk, These we offer to the Ox King, the divine celestial-- May they be received with joy, and increase his sacred power.
His majesty and spiritual powers pervade all forms, Creating every kind of wealth and treasure, Bestowed upon all living beings, And so I make offerings to the Divine Celestial."
Furthermore, the King of Ox-Headed Pearls addressed the Buddha, saying, "World-Honored One, if there are good men and good women who uphold this sutra, how many collections of merit will they obtain?" After these words, the Buddha told the King of Ox-Headed Pearls: "Those who uphold this sutra will have a collection of merit equal to the collection of merit a person accumulates from their initial aspiration for enlightenment all the way to becoming a Buddha. You should know this: those good men and good women are children born from the Buddha's mouth, born of the Buddha's mind. Wherever these good men and good women dwell, there is a Buddha performing Buddha's work. Therefore, if you wish to destroy the armies of Mara and benefit all beings, if you wish to attain the true wisdom of all Tathagatas, you should single-mindedly recite and uphold this sutra. This will quickly accomplish all merit. Moreover, concerning the title, there are five spiritual effects. What are the five? First, those who uphold it can destroy the armies of Mara. Second, those who recite it will gain infinite merit in this life and the next. Third, those who copy or make offerings to it will, in this life and the next, eliminate evil deeds committed over countless eons, reaching the stage of irreversibility. Fourth, it eliminates all illnesses and suffering, and prolongs life. Fifth, possessing even one portion of this jewel and making offerings, recitations, and paying respect, will transform the karmic retribution of poverty in life after life, enabling one to obtain the inexhaustible fruit of the secret treasury."
After the Buddha had finished teaching this sacred mantra scripture, the entire assembly was filled with great joy. They received the teaching with faith and resolved to put it into practice.