陀羅尼雜集 3.38

3.38

This great dhāraṇī-mantra was spoken by past buddhas [as numerous as] the sands of seven Ganges Rivers. This mantra can cause all who have lost their minds to regain right mindfulness, cross the ford of the five heinous sins, attain the supernormal knowledges, become complete with the three vidyās, transcend the three realms, and walk alone without fear. In ancient times, having heard, read, and recited this great dhāraṇī-mantra from the buddhas, although I manifested a nāga body, I did not have the karma of a nāga. I traveled through various buddha-realms cultivating bodhisattva conduct, soared through the ten directions to deliver sentient beings and bring them out of the ocean of birth and death, turning back the waves of the six destinies and rescuing all, supporting and leading them to the shore of nirvāṇa.
Furthermore, in the past, I was born as the daughter of a king in Jambudvīpa. At that time, the king's realm was cramped and narrow, its people impoverished and destitute, and he constantly feared that enemies would invade his territory. Moreover, his merit was slight, so floods and droughts were unseasonal, grain was exorbitantly expensive, and the people suffered from famine. At that time, I was inside the palace. The father king was grieved and unhappy, and said to his ministers, 'What plan should be devised to make the realm prosperous and bring the people back?' At that time, the ministers remained silent and none answered. Seeing my father's grief, I recalled that in the past I had received, upheld, read, and recited this great dhāraṇī-mantra from the buddhas. The power of this dhāraṇī-mantra is like a great canopy: it can cover a great trichiliocosm, how much more this single country! It universally rains the Dharma rain so that none fail to receive benefit; withered trees and rocky mountains are all able to blossom; the strong it can subdue, and the weak it can assist. Having thought this, I immediately went to the king's presence, paid homage, greeted him, and asked what grieved him. The king then answered me, 'This is not something you know.' I then replied to the king, 'One who possesses wisdom does not distinguish between male and female; if it works, then practice it.' The king was delighted and told me to speak of it. I then replied to the king, 'I recall the king of great dhāraṇī-mantras spoken by past buddhas numbering ninety-nine koṭis. If its efficacious power is as spoken above, the king should now personally read and recite it with earnestness and resolve for seven days and seven nights, upholding the eight precepts without lapse throughout the six periods of the day. In each period, repent to the ten directions, scatter seven-coloured flowers, burn three kinds of famed incenses, and recite it twice-seven times per period.' The king at that time repented his errors and blamed himself: 'Having little merit and being unworthy, I mistakenly became king; I have failed the world, and I reproach myself with shame.' Because of his sense of shame, the buddhas of the ten directions, assemblies of great bodhisattvas, Śakra, Brahmā, the Four Heavenly Kings, the eight classes of spirits, the great nāga kings, the wind god, and the rain master all assembled, arrived at his realm, and rained down the great Dharma rain. Withered trees, rocky mountains, dried springs, rivers, and wells all became full, and the people who had previously fled returned to their homeland. Hearing that the country was prosperous and abundant, the people of other countries also came to take refuge. At that time, the neighbouring enemies all came to submit and bowed before him as the Great King; the eight quarters yielded, and peace was finally brought about. When I recall the power of this great dhāraṇī-mantra in ancient times, its supernormal powers and autonomy were as great as this. If human kings wish to obtain what they seek, they should all cultivate this virtue in this manner.