陀羅尼雜集 9.17

9.17

At one time the Buddha was in Rājagṛha, at the Kalandaka Bamboo Grove. At that time, a monk inside the city of Rājagṛha had been robbed by bandits, bitten by a snake, and troubled by ghosts, suffering great distress. At that time, the great general of spirits Āṭavaka, seeing that this monk was suffering such distress, felt pity in his heart and immediately went to the Buddha's dwelling. Having arrived at the Buddha's dwelling, he bowed his head to [the Buddha's] feet in worship, stood to one side, and addressed the Buddha, saying: "The World-Honoured One has already subdued all the most evil spirits and the like. Now, out of pity for all sentient beings, in order to subdue all evil spirits, as well as all evil people, evil poisons, and the like, I present to the Buddha, the World-Honoured One, an extremely fierce and severe mantra to be used for subduing spirits and the like. If anyone recites this mantra, that person's majestic power will even be able to subdue Brahmā, how much more so any other evil!" At that time the Buddha said to Āṭavaka, the great general of spirits: "I have no need for this extremely fierce and severe mantra; it might harm sentient beings." At that time, Āṭavaka addressed the Buddha once again, saying: "World-Honoured One! In the future evil age, evil ghosts will multiply and flourish, evil people will become numerous, and venomous insects and beasts will harm sentient beings; or they may encounter various perils, namely the perils of rulers, bandits, water, fire, weapons of war, terror, hostile enmity, evil spirits, and the like. If the Buddha's disciples—monastics or householders, whether renunciants dwelling in quietude begging for food, or members of the four assemblies staying among tombs or beneath trees—travel through wildernesses, mountains, forests, or along roads, or are in cities, towns, villages, or alleys, I shall provide protection for them so that they do not meet with evil. May the World-Honoured One, out of compassion, deign to accept it. May the Sugata, the World-Honoured One, deign to give it regard." At that time, having heard these words, the World-Honoured One silently accepted it. At that time, seeing the Buddha remain silent, Āṭavaka felt joy in his heart, and thereupon recited the mantra before the Buddha, saying: