The Sūtra of the Eleven-headed Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva (十一面觀自在菩薩心密言唸誦儀軌經)

Volume 1 of the Sutra on the Ritual for Reciting the Heart Mantra of the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteśvara Bodhis

Translated by the Tripitaka Master Amoghavajra of Daxingshan Temple, with the titles of Kaifu Yitong

This is what I heard:

At one time, the Bhagavan was dwelling on Mount Potalaka, in the great sacred palace of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. The mountain was adorned with countless varieties of flowering trees: sāla, tamāla, campaka, aśoka, atimuktaka, and others. He was accompanied by eight thousand great bhikṣus, and also by ninety-nine koṭis of nayutas of hundreds of thousands of bodhisattvas, along with immeasurable hundreds of thousands of pure abode devas, with Maheśvara and Brahmā as their leaders. They surrounded him front and back as he taught the Dharma.

At that time, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, surrounded by immeasurable vidyādharas, went to where the World-Honored One was. Upon reaching the Buddha, he bowed with his head at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated the World-Honored One three times to the right, withdrew to one side, and addressed the Buddha, saying:

“World-Honored One, I have a heart-mantra called ‘Eleven-Faced.’ Eleven koṭis of Tathāgatas together proclaimed it. I will now speak it, to benefit and bring peace to all sentient beings, to remove all illnesses, stop inauspicious dreams and untimely deaths, to cause those without pure faith to develop pure faith, to remove all obstacles and vināyakas, and to fulfill all wishes of the heart.

“I do not see, in the worlds of devas, māras, brahmās, or among śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas, anyone who, through the protection, rescue, and acceptance of this heart-mantra, would not achieve the cessation of calamities, auspiciousness, exemption from punishment, and freedom from swords, clubs, and poisons. If there is anyone who can transgress this, it is impossible—except due to past karma or an unsettled mind.

“Those who uphold this mantra will be praised, protected, and remembered by all Tathāgatas, and all Tathāgatas will rejoice. World-Honored One, I recall that in the past, after as many kalpas as the sands of the Ganges, there was a Tathāgata named Hundred-Lotus-Eyed-Crest-Unobstructed-Unstained-Power-Light-King Tathāgata. At that time, I was a great ṛṣi, and from that Tathāgata I received this heart-mantra. As soon as I received it, all Tathāgatas of the ten directions appeared before me, and because I beheld all Tathāgatas, I attained the patience of the non-arising of dharmas. This mantra contains such a great treasury of merit.

“If a good man or good woman, with pure faith and earnest resolve, recollects and focuses on it, they will obtain ten kinds of benefits in this present life. What are the ten? First, freedom from all illnesses. Second, being accepted by all Tathāgatas. Third, effortlessly obtaining gold, silver, treasures, grains, wheat, and so forth. Fourth, all enemies cannot hinder them. Fifth, kings and princes in the royal palace will first inquire after their well-being. Sixth, they will not be affected by poisons, venom, fevers, or other illnesses. Seventh, all weapons cannot harm them. Eighth, water cannot drown them. Ninth, fire cannot burn them. Tenth, they will not die an untimely death.

“Furthermore, they will obtain four kinds of merit: First, at the time of death, they will see the Tathāgata. Second, they will not be reborn in evil destinies. Third, they will not die an untimely death. Fourth, from this world they will be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss.

“World-Honored One, I recall that in the past, after ten times as many kalpas as the sands of the Ganges, there was a Buddha named Mandāraka Fragrance Tathāgata. At that time, I was a householder, and from that Tathāgata I received this heart-mantra, transcending four hundred thousand kalpas of birth and death. Through this mantra, by day and night reciting and focusing on it, I attained the bodhisattva liberation dharma-gate of the great compassion-wisdom treasury where all Buddhas abide. All bonds, impending executions, dangers from water, fire, wind, bandits, poisons, curses, humans, non-humans, and various sufferings and difficulties—through this, I am able to be for all sentient beings a refuge, rescuer, comforter, island, dwelling, and supreme destination.

“Through the power of this mantra, I subdue all violent yakṣas, rākṣasas, and others, first causing them to arouse a mind of kindness and compassion, and then establishing them in anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi.

“World-Honored One, this mantra of mine possesses such great majestic power. By reciting it once, the four grave offenses are purified, and even the five uninterrupted offenses are completely eradicated without remainder—how much more so other offenses? That person will obtain the accumulation of good roots of all immeasurable koṭis of nayutas of Buddhas.

“If one hears this heart-mantra, or recites it, or upholds it, all wishes will be fulfilled. Whether a man of family, a woman of family, a bhikṣu, bhikṣuṇī, upāsaka, upāsikā, brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, or others—on the fourteenth or fifteenth day of the bright fortnight, for my sake, they should fast for one day and one night, maintain pure conduct, and recite. They will transcend forty thousand kalpas of birth and death.

“All sentient beings who merely invoke my name surpass invoking the names of hundreds of thousands of koṭis of nayutas of Tathāgatas. They will attain non-retrogression, be freed from all illnesses, exempted from all untimely deaths and calamities, and distant from all unwholesome actions of body, speech, and mind.

“If one can practice accordingly, with focused contemplation and conduct, the Buddha’s enlightenment will be as if in the palm of one’s hand.”

Then the Blessed One praised Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, saying: "Excellent, excellent! O Son of the Buddha! You have awakened great compassion for all sentient beings. Through this skillful means, you are able to establish all beings in the unsurpassed, perfect enlightenment. I give you my prediction and rejoice deeply. Please speak now."

At that moment, the great Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara rose from his seat, straightened his robes, bared his right shoulder, and bowed at the Buddha's feet. Then he recited his fundamental mantra:

Homage to the Three Jewels. Homage to the Noble, Glorious, and Compassionate Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, the Great Being. Homage to all Tathagatas, Arhats, and Fully Enlightened Ones. Homage to the Noble Avalokiteshvara, the Great Bodhisattva, the Great Compassionate One. Thus: Rana rana, dhari dhari, dhuru dhuru, Iti vati, jale jale, prajale, Kusume kusuma-vati, Ili mili, citi citi, jvala, Maha-pana-ya, parama-buddha, Satva maha-karunika, svaha.

Next, the mantra for bathing, sprinkling, and purifying robes:

Homage to the Three Jewels. Homage to the Noble Avalokiteshvara, the great being, the great compassionate one. Thus: Ha ha ha ha. Iri miri chiri viri kili sili. So be it.

"Recite this mantra seven times to bless the water, then use it for bathing, sprinkling, cleansing the body, or purifying garments."

Then, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva further spoke the secret mantra for offering incense, saying:

Tadyatha, Guru Guru Haha Haha Svaha.

"With this mantra, I consecrate and offer this incense."

Then, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion Avalokiteśvara further spoke the secret mantra for offering flowers, saying:

Tadyatha, sri sri, dhiri dhiri, sri dhiri, svaha.

Chant this mantra seven times to empower the flowers and lamps before offering them.

Then, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva further spoke the secret mantra for offering food and drink:

Tadyatha, sari sari, sili sili, suru suru, svaha.

"Chant this mantra twenty-one times to bless the food and offerings before presenting them."

Furthermore, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva taught the secret mantra of homa, saying:

Tadyathā, hāṣimādaṣajale, huru huru, curu curu, suru suru, muru muru, svāhā.

With this mantra, empower the kindling wood and light the fire. Dip both ends of the kindling wood into a mixture of ghee, honey, and curds, then cast it into the fire to burn. Without eating day or night, make twenty-one offerings by throwing it into the fire. Afterward, seek the fulfillment of your aim.

Then, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva again spoke the mantra for establishing the boundary of the directions:

Tadyathā, ilimili, cilimili, tilimili, hilimili, svāhā.

"Using this mantra, bless water, white mustard seeds, or ash, and apply them to form a protective boundary. Recite it seven times."

Then, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva further spoke the secret words for respectfully sending the sacred assembly back to their palaces:

Tadyatha, midhi, dhichi, nishta nishta, bhagavān ārya avalokiteśvara svabhāva nāma svāhā.

"Recite this mantra, envisioning the holy one returning to their celestial abode."

I will now explain the benefits of recitation. Even without prior practice, it can accomplish all tasks. If someone suffers from chills and fever—whether occurring daily, every two days, every three days, or every four days—or is afflicted by ghosts, spirits, demons, epilepsy, scrofula, white leprosy, poison, venomous insects, and the like: empower mustard seeds and sandalwood for seven recitations, apply them, and they will be cured. All karmic obstacles will be purified. If suffering from evil winds, empower oil and apply it to be cured. If suffering from earache, mix green wood oil with birch bark, boil it, and drop it into the ear; the pain will cease. It can also treat migraines. For all afflicted areas, simply recite and empower—nothing will not be cured; simply reciting brings accomplishment.

If one wishes to achieve accomplishment, carve an image of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva from solid, flawless white sandalwood, measuring one foot and three inches in height. It should have eleven heads and four arms. On the right side, the first hand holds a rosary, the second hand displays the gesture of fearlessness. On the left, the first hand holds a lotus flower, the second hand grasps a water pot. Among the eleven faces, the three in front should have a peaceful expression; the three on the left, a wrathful expression; the three on the right, a fierce expression with fangs bared; the face at the back should show a smiling yet wrathful expression; and the topmost face should resemble that of a Tathāgata. Each crown should contain a transformation Buddha. The body of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva should be adorned with various jeweled ornaments.

Once the image is completed, place it in a location where Buddha relics are enshrined. The practitioner should wear clean clothing. If a layperson, observe the eight precepts. Offerings should be made three times daily, and recitations should be performed without limit. From the first day to the eighth day of the bright fortnight, afterward, place this image of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva in a pure location, facing west. Consume milk or barley, and burn aloeswood, storax, or sandalwood according to one’s capacity. By the thirteenth day, eat the three white foods and make extensive offerings.

Take wood from the Bodhi tree to kindle a fire. Then, take another piece of Bodhi wood, ten finger-widths in length, dip both ends in storax oil, and cast it into the homa fire pit one thousand and eight times. The ground will then tremble, and the image will also move. A voice will be heard from the mouth of the topmost face of the image, praising the practitioner, saying: "Excellent, excellent! O child of the Buddha! You have diligently sought your wishes. I shall cause all your aspirations to be fulfilled. I grant you the accomplishments of flying through the sky, invisibility, becoming a vidyādhara, a wheel-turning monarch, and even attaining a state no different from my own. You will certainly obtain such accomplishments in this very life."

Furthermore, for the second ritual, from the fifteenth day of the bright fortnight, place the image within the stupa. Day and night, without eating, take one hundred and eight jasmine flowers(Jasmine flowers are available in Guangzhou.) and recite the mantra once for each flower, throwing it at the image. Then, in front of the image, a great roar will sound—the practitioner should not be afraid. The earth will tremble, but the recitation should not be interrupted. Then make this vow: "May I become the great refuge for all beings who have no master or support, fulfilling all the wishes of all sentient beings, granting them satisfaction without hindrance."

Furthermore, O keeper of the secret mantra: during a lunar eclipse, take one liang of ghee and place it in a silver vessel. Before an image, recite the secret mantra seven times. Consume it yourself and share it with others—all illnesses will be cured and healed. How much more so if, from the beginning of the eclipse until the moon is full again, one recites and contemplates—how could one not attain complete accomplishment?

Furthermore, for the secret mantra practitioner: first, bathe to become pure and clean, don fresh garments, and take realgar or bezoar. Facing the image, recite the heart secret mantra one thousand and eight times. When the three signs appear, then anoint the forehead, and you will attain three types of accomplishments, each according to its efficacy—superior, middling, or lesser. If you use it mixed with water to bathe your body, it will remove all obstacles and difficulties, keep you far from all evil dreams and inauspicious omens, bring auspiciousness and flourishing prosperity, and all illnesses and epidemics will be cured.

Furthermore, the Dharma teaches that by offering fragrant flowers to the Holy Avalokiteshvara, and reciting the mantra over vermillion one hundred and eight times, then applying it to the left side of the slightly wrathful face, one can subdue all hostile armies and forces.

Furthermore, if a person, cattle, or other livestock suffers from an epidemic, one should face Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, take a piece of bitter wood, dip it in mustard oil, and perform a homa offering. Then, take a red thread, twist it to the right to make a cord as thick as a copper chopstick, and divide it into two strands. Recite the mantra once for each knot, making up to seven knots in total. Tie it around the neck or hair of the afflicted person or animal, and the epidemic will be dispelled, bringing relief and liberation.

Furthermore, for those afflicted by the Māṭṛkā and other such demonic beings, take a white thread and empower it as before. Tie it to a serene face and leave it overnight. Then, take the thread and make twenty-one knots, reciting the mantra once for each knot. Tie it around the neck of the afflicted person, and they will be cured.

Furthermore, if there is a threat from enemies, epidemics, or calamities, and one wishes to establish a protective boundary to prevent them from entering the land, one should burn frankincense as a homa offering, take a five-colored thread empowered by mantras, and tie it to the peaceful side. This will form a firm and powerful boundary of great dignity.

Furthermore, for those who wish to overcome adversaries and win debates, they should make offerings to Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. Burn sesame seeds over a *vāśika* wood, recite the mantra one hundred and eight times over a white thread, and tie it to the wrathful face. This will bring victory and resolve all conflicts and disputes. If tied to the peaceful face, it can remove all obstacles and difficulties.

Furthermore, bathe the image of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva with water infused with various fragrant substances. Also, consecrate the bathing water for Avalokiteśvara one hundred and eight times and use it to bathe the image of Vināyaka. All obstacles and difficulties will then be completely eliminated.

Volume One of the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Esoteric Mantra Recitation Ritual Sutra

The Buddha said: "People who follow the Way are like warriors who fight alone against ten thousand enemies. Some may muster their courage and charge out through the gates, while others grow fearful and retreat. Some fight and die in the midst of battle; some are wounded and manage to return; some prove their valor and triumph, achieving fame and honor, with kings and ministers rewarding them and their families rejoicing. The same is true for those who study the Way. Through firm resolve, they can endure the countless hardships of body and mind, vanquish the armies of evil, attain the fruit of the Way, and become saints."