Thousandfold Great Illumination Dhāraṇī Sutra (千轉大明陀羅尼經)

Thousand-Turn Great Bright Dharani Sutra

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

Thus I have heard:

At one time, the World-Honored One was in the Trayastriṃśa heaven, beneath the Pāricchattaka tree. Then Śakra, the lord of the gods, along with all the celestial armies and multitudes of heavenly beings, came before the Buddha, with hosts preceding and following, surrounding him. Each one sincerely pressed their palms together, took refuge, looked up with reverence toward the Thus-Come One, and stood in orderly procession.

At that time, Lord Sakka said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One, I possess a subtle-methodic protective formula called the Great Thousandfold Churning Light Mantra. This dharani brings immense benefit to all realms. All devas, nagas, malevolent spirits, hungry ghosts, goblins, and all beings both human and non-human—upon hearing this dharani, they become subdued. All harmful things among sentient beings are completely eliminated. I ask the World-Honored One, in your great compassion and mercy, to allow me to recite it." The Buddha replied, "Lord of Devas, Excellent! Excellent! Just as you say, this Great Thousandfold Churning Light Dharani can bring immense benefit to the world. Since you wish to recite it, please do as you wish." Then Lord Sakka spoke the Great Thousandfold Churning Light Dharani:

As all the multitudes of beings heard these words, they were struck with fear, confusion, and madness, and scattered in retreat. The precious sage yaksha chief, along with those of the wheel accomplishment and others, manifested various forms. They compelled all the multitudes of beings—all spirits and ghosts, and those wandering in the air, the corpse-raising demons, the malaria-causing evil ghosts, and even all fundamental evil practices that harm living beings and bring no benefit—to be utterly liberated.

Anaku, Anapati. Upanaku, Upanapati. Angasha, Gankari. Nirihanta, Rani, Svaha.

Homage to the Buddha, Homage to the Dharma, Homage to the Sangha. Homage to the Noble Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva, the Great Being, the Great Compassionate One. Homage to the Noble, Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra.

Thus: Mukti, Vimukti. Bhinani, Vibhinani. Nirmale, Vimale. Sumukhi, Vimukhi. Mangali, Sumangali.

Freedom from the terror of rulers, freedom from the terror of ill omens in the stars, freedom from the terror of battle between one’s own and enemy armies, freedom from the terror of weapons, freedom from the terror of drowning in water or burning in fire, freedom from the terror of severe illness and suffering, freedom from the terror of poison and harmful attacks. Freedom from the terror of lions, elephants, bears, tigers, and all dangerous wild beasts. Freedom from the terror of being swept away by the ocean, and the terror of deep mountain solitudes, and even the terror of perilous river crossings. May all such terrors be completely removed.