法苑珠林 60.72

60.72

The merits of this mantra are fully expounded in various sūtras. In the separately transmitted ritual for receiving it, the mantra has twenty-seven phrases and sixty-two characters. It has now been translated into one hundred and seventy-one characters; that there are additions and omissions in the character count is not cause for surprise or wonder, as the venerable masters of the Western Regions possess this text in its complete and correct form. Those who uphold this mantra must create an image of the Mother of Prajñā: they should take seedless paper mulberry wood to make the image seated upright, adorned with various decorations, extending her right hand. The craftsman who makes the image on fasting days must maintain the eight precepts of the poṣadha ritual. In the pigments, glue must not be used; only walnut oil, frankincense, milk, and the like may be used. Those who wish to uphold this mantra should smear the ground with fragrant mud. Eight new earthenware jars are required. Flowers of the season must be scattered across the place of the bodhimanda and inserted into the jars. In the jars should be placed eight kinds of syrup: pomegranate, grape, milk, curd, honey, rock sugar, sugarcane, and other syrups. They should also prepare various vegetarian foods, dividing them into eight portions, and burn various famed incenses to make offerings to the image, also lighting eight clarified butter lamps. The person reciting the mantra should wear clean clothes and uphold the precepts. For seven days prior, they should burn incense and pay homage day and night, reciting the mantra for a full ten thousand times. After the seven days have passed, they should fast for one day, and on that day and night recite the mantra for a full eight thousand times, offering up the aforementioned food and drink. When practicing this ritual, they will see the image of the Mother of Prajñā in a dream, and all their wishes will be fulfilled.