The Sustainer of the World Dharani Sutra

Translated by the Tang Dynasty Tripitaka Master Xuanzang, by Imperial Decree

This is what I heard:

At one time, the Bhagavan was in the land of Kauśāmbī, in the Kāśyapa Grove, accompanied by five hundred great bhikṣus, countless bodhisattva mahāsattvas, and surrounded by an immeasurable assembly of devas, humans, asuras, and others.

At that time, in that country, there was an elder named Miaoyue. His demeanor was gentle and dignified, his aspirations profound and serene. He had many children and servants. Deeply devoted to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, he came to the Buddha, bowed at his feet, circumambulated him a hundred thousand times, then stood to one side. With palms joined respectfully, he addressed the Buddha: "World-Honored One, I wish to ask the Tathagata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, about a few matters that trouble me. I pray that in your great compassion, you will kindly grant me an audience."

Then, the World-Honored One, moved by compassion for him, spoke in a gentle and kind voice: "Elder, ask whatever you wish. I will explain it to you in a way that brings joy to your heart."

At that time, the elder, filled with joy and reverence, bowed his head in respect, placed his palms together, and earnestly asked: "World-Honored One, how can virtuous men and women help the poor and lowly attain wealth and honor? How can they help the sick recover from illness? How can they help the guilty have their offenses cleansed? How can they help those in fear and danger find peace and safety?"

Then the World-Honored One, knowing full well, asked him: "Elder, why do you make such a request?"

At that time, the elder again addressed the Buddha, saying: “World-Honored One, we householders have many dependents but few resources. It is difficult for us to provide for all, and we often suffer from illness, burdened by transgressions and fears. Therefore, we beseech the World-Honored One to reveal skillful means, so that the poor and humble may obtain great wealth and status, be able to support their relatives, practice generosity widely, and benefit all beings, with storehouses that never run empty; so that the sick may enjoy health of the four elements, diligently cultivate wholesome deeds, and never grow weary in body or mind; so that those burdened by transgressions may quickly be freed from them, and at the end of this life, be reborn in a fortunate realm; so that those filled with fear may attain peace and joy in body and mind, draw near to make offerings to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, and swiftly realize supreme, perfect enlightenment.”

At that time, the World-Honored One addressed that elder: "Good man! In the past, countless eons ago, I encountered a Buddha, the World-Honored One, named Upholder of the Vajra Ocean Sound Tathāgata, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the One of Perfect Wisdom and Conduct, the Well-Gone One, the Knower of the World, the Unsurpassed One, the Tamer of Beings, the Teacher of Gods and Humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One. For the benefit and happiness of all sentient beings, he taught a dhāraṇī called 'Upholding the World.' Upon hearing it, I was filled with joy and enthusiasm. I received, upheld, recited, and widely proclaimed it to others, bringing benefit, peace, and happiness to immeasurable sentient beings. Because of this cause and condition, my merit and wisdom increased, and I swiftly attained supreme, perfect enlightenment, teaching the subtle and wonderful Dharma to gods and humans. Now, I shall teach this dhāraṇī to you. You, gods and humans, should listen attentively. After hearing it, receive and uphold it, and widely proclaim it to others. The power of this divine mantra is inconceivable; it enables all sentient beings to obtain benefit and happiness. The dhāraṇī is as follows:"

Tadyatha, Sulubi, Bhadravati, Monggali, Azheli, Azheboli, Heqiadani, Hebodani, Saxiefadi, Duonafadi, Danafadi, Shilimodi, Bolabofadi, Anmoli, Pimoli, Lulusu, Lübopimoli, Anadanaxidi, Pidaxidi, Pishifuoxi, Shixuanjuli, Mangjuli, Pipimidu, Dumidu, Dadali, Daluodaluo, Fazheli, Fazheli, Jieqian, Jieqian, Falisheni, Nisebodani, Fazheluodaluo, Tathagata, Sadiansuojieluo, Nijushan, Tathagata, An, Nusamoluo, Samoluo, Dharma, Sadian, Samoluo, Sangha, Sadian, Samoluo, Dazha, Dazha, Puluo, Puluo, Pulaye, Baluo, Baluo, Nisumenggeli, Shanduomodi, Menggeluofadi, Subadaluofadi, Ajioche, Ajioche, Sanmoyan, Anusamoluo, Suohe, Afazhinan, Anusamoluo, Suohe, Bolabofan, Anusamoluo, Suohe, Dielizhen, Anusamoluo, Suohe, Pizheyan, Anusamoluo, Suohe, Sarvastu, Pinayan, Anusamoluo, Suohe.

This mantra possesses immense spiritual power. If a virtuous man or woman wholeheartedly receives and upholds it, and widely teaches it to others, then all malevolent spirits, ghosts, celestial beings, dragons, yakshas, and beings both human and non-human will be unable to harm them. All beneficial and joyful matters will increase day and night.

If one can sincerely make offerings to the Three Jewels and recite this great mantra scripture for seven days and nights without interruption, then all celestial beings, dragons, and spirits will be filled with joy. From the darkness, they will rain down the wealth and grain that is needed. Famine and epidemics will all be eradicated. All karmic obstacles will be utterly destroyed. Every danger and fear will be transformed into peace and security. One's merit and wisdom will gradually increase, all wishes will be fulfilled, and one will swiftly attain the supreme, perfect enlightenment of Buddhahood.

At that time, the Buddha said to Elder Miaoyue: "You should believe in and accept this mantra, remember it, recite it, and teach it widely to others. All the benefits and happiness you seek will be fulfilled."

At that time, the elder, having heard the Buddha's words, was filled with joy and reverence. He then addressed the Buddha, saying: "I can receive and uphold this teaching, and widely proclaim it to others, bringing benefit, peace, and happiness to countless beings. I only pray that the World-Honored One, in his compassion, will watch over and guide me."

The World-Honored One replied, "Exactly so! Exactly so!"

At that time, the elder pressed his palms together respectfully, circled the World-Honored One a hundred thousand times to the right, then bowed at the Buddha’s feet and withdrew with a joyful heart.

At that time, the World-Honored One said to Ananda: "The treasury of the venerable elder Wonderful Moon is now fully filled with all kinds of wealth and grain."

Venerable Ananda joyfully asked the Buddha, “What is the reason that all of Elder Miaoyue’s treasuries were suddenly filled to the brim?”

The Buddha said to Ananda, "When the wise elder Wonderful Moon heard me speak this great dharani, he received it with deep faith and joy, upheld it, recited it, and vowed to proclaim it for the sake of countless sentient beings. Through the power of this merit, his treasuries were all filled. You too should receive, uphold, recite, and widely teach this dharani to others, so that all classes of sentient beings in this great trichiliocosm may obtain benefit and happiness. I observe that in the world, among gods, maras, brahmas, and others, none can destroy or transgress this dharani, for its words and phrases are true and correct, indestructible. Those of little merit cannot even hear it. Why is this? Such verses are praised alike by the buddhas of the three times, and through inconceivable spiritual power, they bless and protect them, causing all who hear and uphold them to gain benefit and happiness."

Venerable Ananda, his heart brimming with joy, offered this beautiful verse in praise:

At that time, Ananda, filled with joy, bowed to the Buddha with palms together and said: "World-Honored One! What name should be given to this teaching? And how should we uphold and practice it?"

The Buddha told Ananda: "This is called 'The Questions of the Wise Elder Moonlight,' also known as 'That Which Attracts All Wealth and Status,' also called 'The Healer of Illnesses,' also called 'The Destroyer of Wrongdoings,' also called 'The Remover of All Dangers and Fears,' also called 'That Which All Buddhas Praise Together,' also called 'That Which Receives the Empowered Blessings of All Buddhas,' also called 'The Dharani Sutra That Upholds the World.' You should uphold and practice it, never letting it be forgotten, so that it may bring benefit, peace, and happiness to all sentient beings!"

Then, the Blessed One finished speaking this sutra. Countless disciples and bodhisattvas, along with all the gods, humans, asuras, and the entire great assembly, having heard the Buddha's teaching, were filled with great joy, accepted it with faith, and vowed to practice accordingly.

The Sustainer of the World Dharani Sutra