法苑珠林 63.8

63.8

As the *Mahāmegha-cakra-prabarṣaṇa-sūtra* states, the Buddha said: "If one performs the method to supplicate for great rain or to stop rain, listen closely now. The person who supplicates for rain should arouse thoughts of loving-kindness and compassion toward all sentient beings and observe the eightfold abstinence. Out in the open air, one should spread a blue canopy and hang ten blue banners. Purify the ground, smearing the ritual site with cow dung, and invite a master who recites incantations to sit on a blue seat. If a layperson, they should receive the eightfold abstinence; if a monk, he should observe the prohibitive precepts. All should wear pure, clean garments and burn fine, renowned incense. Also scatter powdered incense on the Dharma master's seat. One should consume three kinds of white, pure food, namely: cow's milk, curds, and polished rice. When reciting this Mahāmegha-cakra chapter, face east while sitting, maintaining the sound day and night with the utmost sincerity without interruption, and make offerings to all Buddhas. Furthermore, place pure water into new vases and arrange them in the four intermediate directions. According to one's wealth, prepare various foods to offer to the nāgas. Moreover, scatter fragrant flowers in the ritual precinct and around the four sides of the Dharma seat. On each of the four sides, using pure, fresh cow dung juice, paint the figures of nāgas (Master Yishe's biography notes: 'According to the customs of the Western regions, because cattle can plow the ground and generate the myriad things, cow dung is considered pure. Brahmā, Śakra, and cattle all have shrines erected to sacrifice to them. The Buddha, following worldly sentiment, likewise regarded it as pure'). On the eastern side, three cubits away from the seat, paint the figure of a nāga: one body with three heads, along with the nāga's retinue. On the southern side, five cubits away from the seat, paint the figure of a nāga: one body with five heads, along with the nāga's retinue. On the western side, seven cubits away from the seat, paint the figure of a nāga: one body with seven heads, along with the nāga's retinue. On the northern side, nine cubits away from the seat, paint the figure of a nāga: one body with nine heads, along with the nāga's retinue. The master reciting the incantation should protect his own body: either by blessing pure water or blessing white ash, mentally concentrating to bind the boundaries of the ritual ground; or by tracing one pace, up to many paces, using either water or ash as the boundary line; or by blessing a thread and tying it to the neck, hands, or feet. When blessing the water and ash, scatter and sprinkle it atop the head or on the forehead, and make this reflection: 'Those with evil minds may not enter this ritual boundary.' The reciter of the incantation should arouse loving-kindness and compassion toward all sentient beings, entreating all Buddhas and bodhisattvas to have pity and grant their protective power, dedicating this merit to share among the nāgas. If at that time there is no rain, read and recite this sūtra for one day, two days, or even up to seven days, with the sound unbroken, also following the method above; it is certain to cause rain to fall. The tides of the great ocean may exceed their bounds, but if one fully practices according to this and rain does not fall, that is impossible—except only for those who are unbelieving or insincere."