The Sutra of the World-Maintaining Dhāraṇī (聖持世陀羅尼經)

Sutra of the World-Holding Dharani

Translated by Dharma Master Shi Hu, a Tripitaka Master from the Western Regions, Court Gentleman for Ceremonial Service, Acting Junior Supervisor of

At that time, the Bodhisattva Chishi addressed the Buddha, saying: "World-Honored One, if there is someone who wishes to uphold and recite this dharani, how should they uphold it? Please, Buddha, explain this."

At that time, the World-Honored One addressed Chishi, saying: "If there is a person who, on the first day of the bright fortnight of the second month, goes to a solitary river that flows into the sea and enters the water. When the water reaches the chest, facing east toward the sun, with palms joined, standing upright, from sunrise until sunset, recites this mantra. After emerging from the water, abstain from food for seven days, reciting day and night, without speaking to anyone. Then, paint the original form of Chishi. Before applying the colors, with a reverent mind, use fragrant sandalwood water to moisten the silk and let it rest overnight, offering it with heartfelt devotion. Instruct the painter to observe precepts, bathe, wear clean clothes, and with a reverent mind, apply the colors according to the method. The image should be ten cubits high and three cubits wide, with deep green colors, seated on a lotus flower, adorned immeasurably, with bright and pure colors, radiant like the sun. The right hand holds a fruit, the left hand offers comfort, with a serene and joyful expression. Before the seat, a dragon king holds a jeweled casket, pearls, jeweled vases, coral, agate, gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and various precious gems, offering them with a pure mind. Above, celestial beings reside, with auspicious clouds and rain-like nets. The Great Auspicious Goddess holds a lotus flower, offering comfort on the right; Auspicious Jeweled Palm stands in attendance on the left, with a perfect form, adorned with jewels, holding a lotus flower in a comforting gesture. Before the image of Chishi, place fragrant water, various fine foods, flower garlands, ghee, and lamps as offerings. Additionally, use exquisite flowers, ghee, fragrant lamps, food, and various offerings for Pinna and Yega, to prevent demonic disturbances. After making these offerings, further use sandalwood, aloeswood, and various fine incenses, ghee, fragrant oils, and lamps for immeasurable offerings. Facing the image of the Bodhisattva, with focused and sincere concentration, sit upright and recite. From the hour of Yin, enter the altar, whether for seven days, fourteen days, or even one day, until sunrise. With earnest vows, all will be accomplished."

At that time, the World-Honored One said to Chishi, "If a person enters the water at midnight, recites this mantra eight hundred times, they will obtain their heart's desire within that very month."

The Buddha said to Chishi, "If someone, in the stillness of midnight, recites the name of Chishi Bodhisattva with sincere devotion and maintains purity of practice, within six months their heartfelt wishes will surely be fulfilled."

The Buddha spoke to Shou Shi: "If a person hides their belongings and later forgets where, by reciting and upholding this Dharma, they will surely recover them."

The Buddha told Shishou: "If someone wishes to seek honor and status, they should enter the water during the day and recite this mantra until midnight. Then, using sesame seeds for the fire offering, they should recite one mantra for each seed and burn one seed with each recitation. After performing this eight hundred times, they will surely obtain great joy and be fulfilled with wealth and prosperity."

The Buddha told Shiwu: "If someone takes white mustard seeds and mixes them with ghee, and for each recitation of a mantra, burns one seed as an offering, following the same procedure as before, performing this fire ritual—then the king will receive blessings and joy, and the kingdom will be free from calamities."

The Buddha said to Kshitigarbha: "If someone takes fine frankincense and mixes it with ghee to perform a fire offering, following the same ritual procedures as before, they can calm the disasters that threaten high officials."