七佛八菩薩所說大陀羅尼神呪經 3.25

3.25

"Recite the spell five times, tie purple and white two-colored threads into twelve knots, and fasten them to the neck. This great dhāraṇī spell was spoken by past buddhas [as numerous as] the sands of seven Ganges Rivers. This spell can cause those who have lost their minds to regain right mindfulness, cross the ford of the five heinous crimes, obtain all superknowledges, become endowed with the three knowledges, and transcend the three realms to walk alone without fear. In the distant past, I heard, received, and recited this great dhāraṇī spell from the buddhas; though I manifest a nāga body, I have no nāga karma, roaming the buddha lands to practice the bodhisattva deeds, soaring through the ten directions to deliver sentient beings from the ocean of birth and death, rescuing and assisting them amidst the swirling waves of the six destinies, supporting and leading them to the shore of nirvāṇa. Furthermore, in the past in Jambudvīpa, I was a king's daughter. At that time, the king's land was narrow, the people destitute, and he always feared enemy incursions into his territory. Moreover, his merit was slight, floods and droughts were irregular, grain became extremely expensive, and the people suffered from famine. I was inside the palace at that time, and my father the king was grieving and unhappy. He said to his ministers: 'What plan should be devised to make the country prosperous and bring back the people?' At that time, none of the ministers answered, remaining silent. Seeing my father grieving like this, I recalled that in the past I had received and recited this great dhāraṇī spell from the buddhas. The power of this dhāraṇī spell is, for example, like a parasol capable of covering the trichiliocosm, let alone this single country! It universally rains the Dharma rain so that none fail to receive benefit; withered trees and rocky mountains can all blossom with flowers; the strong can be subdued, and the weak can be aided. Having thought this, I went to the king's place, bowed, paid my respects, and asked about the king's sorrow. The king answered me at that time: 'It is not something you would know.' I then answered the king: 'One who has wisdom—regardless of man or woman—simply acts upon it.' The king was delighted and told me to speak it. I then answered the king: 'I recall the king of great dhāraṇī spells spoken by ninety-nine koṭis of past buddhas. Its efficacy is as spoken above. If the king at this time will personally read and recite it, earnestly striving for seven days and seven nights, upholding the eight precepts without lapse during the six periods, repenting to the ten directions during each period, scattering five-colored flowers, burning three kinds of famous incense, and reciting the spell three times seven times in each period.' The king at that time repented his errors and reproached himself: 'Lacking merit and unworthy, I mistakenly became king. I have failed the world; with shame and remorse, I reproach myself.' Because he was ashamed, the buddhas of the ten directions, the assemblies of great bodhisattvas, Śakra, Brahmā, the Four Heavenly Kings, the eight classes of ghosts and spirits, the great nāga kings, and the wind and rain masters all gathered, came to his borders, and rained down a great Dharma rain. The withered trees, rocky mountains, and dried-up rivers and wells were all filled; the people who had previously fled returned to their native land, and the people of other countries, hearing that the land was abundant, also came to take refuge. At that time, neighboring enemies all came to submit, honoring him as the Great King; the eight directions bowed in submission, and supreme peace was finally achieved. I recall the power of this great dhāraṇī spell in the distant past; its superknowledges and autonomy were even like this. If human kings wish to seek their desires, they should all cultivate this merit in this way."