Praise of the Noble Tārā Bodhisattva's One Hundred and Eight Names Sutra (讚揚聖德多羅菩薩一百八名經)

With single-minded devotion, I bow in homage To the One who brings supreme joy and auspiciousness. On Mount Potalaka, Adorned with every kind of Jeweled ornament, and jeweled groves of trees, Whose branches and vines hang thick and low, With many kinds of perfected Beautiful fragrant flowers, whose radiance shines everywhere, With many pools and ponds, and springs making varied sounds, And varied hues—fragrant elephants and royal stags, The sweet songs of king bees, the lovely melodies of celestial maidens, And gandharvas playing music. Holy sages and people, Munis free from desire, Gather there always, Along with many bodhisattvas and sovereigns of the ten stages, The noble Tārā Bodhisattva, with a thousand consorts, And the wrathful great kings— Horse-head and others—surrounding them.

At that time, the noble and blessed Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, To benefit all beings, Having fully cultivated the great practice, Endowed with loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity, Dwelling in that womb of transformation, On a blessed lotus seat, Sat peacefully and serenely, And with the great assembly of gods and humans, He taught the wondrous Dharma.

Then Vajrapāṇi, The mighty wrathful king, Out of compassion for others, Asked Avalokiteśvara: "From lions, elephants, tigers, snakes, Water, fire, thieves, and shackles— These eight kinds of dangers— How can lazy, inferior beings Escape, and from the long-enduring sea of saṃsāra, Tied by greed, hatred, ignorance, and other Bonds of rebirth, be set free? If they can be liberated, I would call that Able One Revered by the world." Then Avalokiteśvara, With beautiful, melodious voice, Awakened Vajrapāṇi: "Secret Lord, listen well. From countless lives I was born of My vow, as mother of all worlds, Holding an utpala flower, Sending forth light that shines on this world— On humans and in heaven. I stir this world— Yakṣas, rākṣasas and the like— And tell them: 'Do not be afraid. I was transformed from the Buddha To protect the world— From various terrible dangers, Swords, famine, And all the fears of saṃsāra, I rescue beings. The world calls me Tārā, Says I am the Buddha's child. Excellent—you should revere me.'" Having spoken, he joined his palms, Rose into the air and remained there, His body blazing with brilliant light, And proclaimed these words: "These hundred and eight names Were spoken by the Buddhas of old. The sovereigns of the ten stages and Countless bodhisattvas Hear them with joy. If anyone takes them up and recites them, All their sins are erased, Merit grows, their fame expands, Their wealth brings much good fortune, All diseases are scattered, They abide peacefully in the field of merit, They live long and happily, And with kindness rescue beings." The great sage, endowed with virtue, spoke thus.

Avalokiteśvara smiled, Then looked in all ten directions, Transforming with compassionate mind, And stretched out his right hand— That arm adorned with marks of blessing— And told that great sage: "Well done, Vajrapāṇi! Now hear this great merit, These wonderful, peaceful names, Which I will proclaim rightly for people. Those who hear them gain peace and joy, Wealth and independence, Freedom from all illness, Full possession of every virtue, Escape from untimely death, And are eventually reborn in Sukhāvatī. All gods, know this: Listen now as I speak; Rejoice deeply. These are the hundred and eight names:"

"By reciting these one hundred and eight names of tranquil, secret wisdom, One can benefit all sentient beings. This rare field of merit, In heaven and among humans, Is extremely difficult to encounter. It brings peace and joy to all who behold it.

The wise should with focused mind, Bathe and purify their bodies, And chant with devotion three times a day. Before long, such a person Will be cherished by kings, Freed from suffering and find happiness. The poor will gain wealth, The foolish will attain great wisdom, The clever will no longer doubt, And those in chains will be released. Those who have not prevailed will triumph, And enemies will turn into good friends.

From sharp fangs and horns, From quarrels and dangers, And from all kinds of fears— Those who recall these names Will be saved from such terrors. Untimely death is prevented, Their reputation spreads far and wide, And they are always born into noble families.

Even if one is alone, Whether walking, sitting, or lying down, They will earn people's praise, Enjoy a long life, And experience happiness in the human world. Heavenly dragons, yakshas, Rakshasas, gandharvas, Foul spirits, those who feed on filth, Malicious matrus, Female demons, nanmingnus, Ushastras and the like— Leprosy, shoulder-borne afflictions, Vetala great ghosts, nakinis and such spirits, And other malevolent beings— Dare not even cross their shadow, Let alone approach in battle. Cruel beings, Curses, and illusions— None can harm them.

They are independent and majestic, Their descendants and wealth Grow without measure. They gain the power of past-life recall, Esteemed by noble families, With unhindered eloquence, And mastery of all doctrines. They encounter virtuous teachers, Adorn the bodhi mind, And in life after life, Always draw near to the Buddhas."