法苑珠林 60.5

60.5

Now, as for the function of divine incantations: they eradicate the ignorance in one's faith and open up the clear wisdom of the truly correct; they tear through the immense obstacles of multiple layers of empty space and extinguish the deep afflictions accumulated over kalpas. When karmic consequences are dismissed, dark phenomena conceal their forms. Therefore, successive sages have formally set them forth, and all divine spirits look up to them. Thus did Pāpīyān present an incantation beneath the white tree, and the King of Brahmā revealed the rites in the central domain. The Seven Buddhas proclaimed the Way according to the conditions of the times, and bodhisattvas expressed their sincerity within the Dharma assemblies. Widely collected in the scriptures and edicts, they are indeed hard to compile fully. As for the dhāraṇī, it is the sound of the Western Brahmā heaven; translated by the people of the Eastern Florescence, it is called 'holding'. By reciting and holding it, good is not lost, and evil is not produced. Based on this, it encompasses an entire transformative teaching, and when practiced according to the Dharma, its efficacy is immediately proven. Whether crushing rocks or uprooting trees, or transferring pain and extinguishing disease—with the emission of the sound, suffering is eliminated; following the raising of the voice, undertakings are accomplished. Whether summoning spirits and ghosts, or harnessing horned dragons; bringing forth clouds to spread and dropping nourishing rain, or calling upon one's intent and gathering auspicious omens—its sympathetic resonances are inexhaustible, and its history is long-standing.