The Dharani Called “Secret Reliquary” - The Essence of the Blessings of All Tathagatas

The Dharani Called “Secret Reliquary”: The Essence of the Blessings of All Tathagatas A Mahayana Sutra Sanskrit title: āryasarvatathāgatādhishthānahridaya guhyadhātukaranda nāmadhāranī mahāyānasūtra Tibetan title: ‘phags pa de bzhin gshegs pa thams cad kyi byin gyis brlabs kyi snying po gsang ba ring bsrel gyi za ma tog ces bya ba’i gzungs theg pa chen po’i mdo Homage to all buddhas and bodhisattvas! Thus I have heard: At one time the bhagavat was residing in the country of Magadha, at an immaculate courtyard with a pool made of seven precious materials, together with a great sangha of bodhisattvas; a great sangha of shravakas; many tens of millions of devas, nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans; and many hundreds of thousands of local people in front of and completely surrounding him. Then within that retinue there was a great brahmin called Stainless Excellent Radiance, who was wise like a great sal-tree, prescient, lucid and honest, delightful to see, and fully engaged in the path of the ten virtues. He completely trusted and respected the three jewels, and had the virtuous intention of venerating them. He was attentive to detail; strove for the sake of all sentient beings and virtue; and was wealthy, affluent, and rich, with much property and abundant necessities. Then the great brahmin Stainless Excellent Radiance went to where the bhagavat was. Having arrived, he circumambulated the bhagavat seven times and presented him with flowers and incense. He also dressed him with raiment of great value, placed a pearl necklace of great value on the bhagavat, and then bowed his head at his two feet. He sat in the presence of the bhagavat and asked him, “If the bhagavat, accompanied by your retinue

of assembled children, were to be invited to my house for the midday meal, would the bhagavat be willing to accept that invitation?” Then the bhagavat, understanding the invitation of the great brahmin Stainless Excellent Radiance, accepted by remaining silent. Then the great brahmin Stainless Excellent Radiance, knowing that the bhagavat had accepted by remaining silent, left and returned very quickly to his home. That night passed; and food, utensils, and many dishes of a hundred flavors were prepared in great arrays in various auspicious and great mansions. Bearing flowers and incense, numerous retinues with large and small cymbals went to where the bhagavat was. Having arrived, they informed the bhagavat that the time had come. Then the great brahmin Stainless Excellent Radiance asked the bhagavat, “Bhagavat, it is time to leave. Since the time of the bhagavat’s departure has come, would you agree to do so?” Then the bhagavat assured the great brahmin Stainless Excellent Radiance, looked at his retinues, and said, “Whatever retinues are gathered here, come forward and bring great significance to this occasion!” Then the bhagavat arose from his seat. As soon as the bhagavat arose from his seat, various distinct light rays emerged from his body. The radiance of the light rays illuminated all buddha realms throughout the ten directions, perfectly alerting all tathagatas. Seeing this, they knew to come. Then the great brahmin Stainless Excellent Radiance, venerating him with offerings and great respect, followed in the wake of the bhagavat. Numerous retinues, devas, nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, Indra, Brahma, lokapalas, Maheshvara, Narayana, and the four great kings also followed in procession in the wake of the bhagavat. Then, at a point along the road not very far from the bhagavat, there was a grove called Delight. In that grove there was an old, large stupa. It was ruined and full of briers; completely full of weeds, sticks, and rubble — like a heap of refuse.

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Then the bhagavat approached it, and the old stupa that was like a heap of refuse completely blazed, emitting blazing light rays of various colors. From the heap of refuse and rubble issued the sound of the words “Excellent! The tathagata Shakyamuni is excellent, excellent! This occasion is an excellent sign of your coming! Great brahmin, you are also excellent for having invited the tathagata! This occasion holds great significance for you!” Then the bhagavat tathagata prostrated with his five limbs to the old stupa that was like a heap of refuse and circumambulated it three times. He then removed the raiment from his body and placed it on the old stupa that was like a heap of refuse. The bhagavat wept, profusely shedding tears. The bhagavat displayed a smile. The display of that smile perceived all tathagatas throughout the ten directions as if they were present in the palm of a hand. All of those tathagatas emitted light rays, and were present at the great heap that was the old stupa. Then those numerous gathered retinues were astonished, and placed in confidence. Then the great chieftain of yakshas, Vajrapani — his body trembling, heart quivering, brandishing a vajra — rushed quickly to where the bhagavat was. Having arrived, he bowed his head to the bhagavat’s two feet. He asked the bhagavat, “Bhagavat, what could have caused this great sign, your weeping? This sign, the bhagavat showing his eyes filled with tears: bhagavat, what is it? Why would the bhagavat create the opportunity to ask this question amidst this retinue?” Then the bhagavat replied to the great chieftain of yakshas, Vajrapani, “Vajrapani, for as many aggregates of relics, stupas of tathagatas, and tens of millions of tathagatas as there are seeds in a sesame pod, there are that many enumerations of dharma for stupas of seals of dharanis of the essences of them all. Vajrapani, wherever this enumeration of dharma abides, there as many trillions of tathagatas as there are seeds in a sesame pod abide, and relics of tathagatas as numerous as grains in a cubic double cubit abide. There eighty-four thousand aggregates of dharma abide. There the crown protuberances and crowns of the heads of as many trillions of tathagatas as there are seeds in a sesame pod multiplied by ninety-nine likewise abide. Vajrapani, wherever this enumeration of dharma abides, that place is prophesied for a stupa of tathagatas. Vajrapani, this enumeration of dharma is of such great benefit and great power as this. Vajrapani, this enumeration of dharma is greatly beneficial. Vajrapani, this enumeration of dharma perfects all auspiciousness.” 3

Then those numerous gathered retinues, hearing this enumeration of dharma from the bhagavat, achieved the immaculate eye of dharma with regard to dharmas and became freed from defilements, and then became freed from secondary afflictions. Some achieved the fruition of stream-enterers. Some achieved arhathood; some, the fruition of pratyekabuddhahood; some, the fruition of nonreturners; some, the fruition of once-returners. Some abided on the bodhisattva levels. Some received prophecy of their awakening. Some came to abide on the first level, some the second level, some the third level, some the fourth level, some the fifth level, some the sixth level, some the seventh level, some the eighth level, some the ninth level, and some the tenth level. Some fully perfected the six paramitas. The great brahmin achieved the five supercognitions, and became free from defilement, and free from avarice and jealousy. The chieftain of yakshas, Vajrapani, seeing such a great miracle, was greatly amazed and awed. He exclaimed to the bhagavat, “Bhagavat, if even hearing the name of this enumeration of dharma brings such adornment through beneficial qualities as this, bhagavat, what need is there to speak of engaging in a great deal of reverence and service to it? Bhagavat, how could one even come to witness such an aggregate of merit as that?” The bhagavat replied, “Vajrapani, listen! When a son of family, daughter of family, bhikshu, bhikshuni, upasaka, or upasika inquires about this enumeration of dharma, Vajrapani, that person becomes endowed with the generation of the aggregates of merit and roots of virtue of as many hundred sextillions of tathagatas as there are seeds in a sesame pod multiplied by ninety-nine, and will be cared for by those tathagatas. Those who read it will grasp the sutras spoken by all tathagatas. Those who hold such an enumeration of dharma as this will be retained by as many hundred sextillions of tathagatas throughout the ten directions as there are seeds in a sesame pod multiplied by ninety-nine, and by the tathagata arhat samyaksambuddhas of each direction, and each day they will be regarded by them. A son of family, daughter of family, upasaka, or upasika who venerates, fully understands, and worships this enumeration of dharma with flowers, incense, fragrance, flower garlands, salves, raiment, flowing fabrics, and ornaments worships as many hundred sextillions of tathagatas as there are seeds in a sesame pod multiplied by ninety-nine in each of the ten 4

directions with divine flowers, incense, fragrance, flower garlands, salves, raiment, flowing fabrics, and ornaments. The qualities that arise through offering masses of tathagata offering-clouds equal in size to a great supreme mountain composed of the seven precious materials to tathagatas in each direction will arise for them.” Then the devas, nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans, and the great assemblies of sentient beings, were amazed, and said to one another, “This old stupa, this heap of refuse and rubble — consecrated with the blessings of tathagatas — is revealed to be a great display of magical illusion; so it is very powerful!” Then the great chieftain of yakshas, Vajrapani, asked the bhagavat, “Bhagavat, who turned this from a heap of refuse into a precious stupa?” The bhagavat replied, “Vajrapani, this is not a heap of refuse; this is a great, precious stupa composed of the seven precious materials! Vajrapani, although it will disappear as the full ripening of the results of sentient beings’ karma is revealed, the buddhas’ stupa of the essence of the relics of tathagatas will not disintegrate or fall apart. How could the vajragarbhakaya of tathagatas fall apart? However, it will still disappear from perception with the full ripening of the results of sentient beings’ karma. “Vajrapani, furthermore, in the future the thorough perpetration of wrongdoing, wrongdoers, and immersion in hell will be extremely severe. Neither the buddha, the dharma, nor the sangha will be sought, and even roots of virtue will not be generated. Because of those causes and conditions, holy dharma will disappear. “Vajrapani, that is why my two eyes filled with tears, and all tathagatas everywhere also came to tears. Such an enumeration of holy dharma as this will decline, but the stupas of tathagatas will not; they will be consecrated by all tathagatas.” Then the great chieftain of yakshas, Vajrapani, asked the bhagavat, “Bhagavat, if this enumeration of dharma is written down and placed inside a stupa, what roots of virtue will arise?” The bhagavat replied, “Vajrapani, if this enumeration of dharma is written down and placed inside a stupa, it becomes a stupa of relics — the 5

vajragarbha of all tathagatas. It becomes a stupa consecrated with the secret that is the essence of the dharanis of all tathagatas. It becomes a stupa of as many tathagatas as there are seeds in a sesame pod multiplied by ninetynine. It becomes blessed as a stupa of the crown protuberances and eyes of all tathagatas. If this is placed inside any images of buddhas or stupas, the tathagata’s image will be blessed with the nature of the seven precious materials. Its wheel-garlands, connected with webs of larger and smaller bells; auspiciousness; awnings; and bells will be blessed with the nature of the seven precious materials. Through the power and blessings of all tathagatas, and of this enumeration of dharma, and through truth and samaya, they will be blessed until the heart of awakening is reached. “Those sentient beings who treat that stupa with reverence and respect are certain to become irreversible, and to manifestly, perfectly awaken to unsurpassable, perfect, complete awakening. Prostrating to or circumambulating it once will cause full liberation from such states as ending up in Avichi, and will cause irreversibility from unsurpassable, perfect, complete awakening. “The area in which such a stupa or image as this is located will also be blessed by all tathagatas. That area will be unassailable by unruly nagas. It will be impervious to frost and hail. That place will be unassailable by unruly or vicious creatures. It will be unassailable by predators. The dangers of unruly birds, parrots, mynas, rats, weasels, flies, bees, other insects, flying insects with triple mouthparts, those with a proboscis, and centipedes also will not arise. That place will be unassailable by dangerous snakes. “Infectious diseases, contagious diseases, and disturbances also will not arise in that area. The dangers of yakshas, rakshasas, bhutas, pretas, spirits, and amnesia will not arise. That place will be unassailable by all demons. It will be immune to all epidemics. It will be immune to all diseases, tumors, ulcers, sores, genital ulcers, foot-sores, rashes, and leprosy; and through merely seeing that stupa, all will be purified. That area will never be afflicted by ox disease, cattle disease, diseases of numerous other animal species, or by the illnesses of men, women, boys, or girls. Even untimely death will not occur as untimely death. That area will always be impervious to poison and weapons, and also to fire and water. It will always be unassailable by the threat of opposing armies, and by the danger of poor harvests. The threat of great kings’ warfare also will not arise.

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“The four great kings will always continuously protect and thoroughly sustain that region. It will always continuously be guarded, protected, and concealed by the twenty-eight great yaksha chieftains. The twenty-eight constellations, moon, sun, and great comets will be brought into harmony day and night. All nagarajas will always continuously send down rains of goodness alone, and will not steal splendor. All devas will come from thirtytwo abodes three times each day in order to prostrate to, serve, and venerate that great stupa. All residents of that country will come into the presence of that stupa or image three times each day. It will be praised and circumambulated. Even the ruler of devas — Indra — together with assemblies of goddesses and gods will always, continuously, three times each day and each night, come into the presence of that stupa or image. They will come for prostration and worship. It will always be regarded and blessed by all tathagatas as well. “If such a stupa or image is properly created from earth, stone, wood, silver, gold, or copper, and this enumeration of dharma is written down and placed inside of it, immediately and through mere placement it will become blessed with the nature of the seven precious materials. All of its railings, steps, kharan, wheel-garlands, auspiciousness, parasols, hanging bells, flags, and webs of larger and smaller bells will become of the nature of the seven precious materials. At each of its four sides images of tathagatas will abide. It will become a precious stupa consecrated with the blessings of all tathagatas, a stupa of the essence of relics, and a place of veneration. That image or stupa will also be thoroughly maintained and fully cared for with offerings by the devas of the abode of Akanishtha.” Then the great chieftain of yakshas, Vajrapani, exclaimed to the bhagavat, “Bhagavat, this enumeration of dharma is so distinguished in its qualities!” The bhagavat replied, “It is the dharani of the seal of the secret reliquary, the essence blessed by all tathagatas. Vajrapani, therefore, this power — so distinguished in its qualities — is consecrated with blessings.” Vajra Holder asked, “Bhagavat, would you teach the enumeration of dharma that is the dharani of the seal of the casket of jewels?” The bhagavat replied, “Vajrapani, listen! The dharmakaya, sambhogakaya, and likewise nirmanakaya, the three kayas of tathagatas — tathagatas past, yet to come, now appearing, and all those buddha bhagavats who have fully 7

transcended misery — are the enumeration of dharma that is the dharani of the seal of the reliquaries of all three times: NAMASTRAIYADHĪKĀNĀM

TATHĀGATĀNĀM

SARVA

OM

BHUPIBHAVĀN VAREVACHATAU CHULUCHULU DHARADHARA SARVA TATHĀGATĀ SMARA

DHĀTUDHARE TATHĀGATA

PADMAGARBHE

JAYAVARE

DHARMACHAKRA

ACHALE

PRAVARTANA

VAJRABODHIMANDA ALAMKĀRA ALAMKRITE SARVA TATHĀGATA ADHISHTHITE

BODHAYABODHAYA

BUDHYABUDHYA

SAMBODHANI

BODHANIBODHANI

SAMBODHAYA

CHALACHALA

 NI SARVA PĀPAMVIGATE HURUHURU CHALANTU SARVA ĀVARANĀ SARVA

SHOKAVIGATE

SARVA

TATHĀGATAHRIDAYA

VAJRINI

SAMBHAVASAMBHAVA SARVA TATHĀGATAGUHYE DHĀRANIMUDRE BUDDHE

SUBUDDHE

DHĀTUGARBHE

SARVA

SVĀHĀ

TATHĀGATAHRIDAYA

SAMAYA

ADHISHTHITE

TATHĀGATA ADHISHTHITE

DHĀTUMUDRE

SVĀHĀ

SVĀHĀ

SARVA

SUPRATISHTHITA

STŪPETATHĀGATA ADHISHTHITE HŪM HŪM SVĀHĀ OM SARVA TATHĀGATA

USHNĪSHA

DHĀTUMUDRĀNI

SARVA

TATHĀGATA

DHARMADHĀTU VIBHŪSHITA ADHISHTHITE HURUHURU HŪM HŪM SVĀHĀ”

As soon as the bhagavat taught this dharani of the seal of reliquaries, from each of the ten directions as many hundred sextillions of tathagatas as there are seeds in a sesame pod multiplied by ninety-nine came and exclaimed to the bhagavat Shakyamuni, “Shakyamuni’s bestowal of dharma treasure such as this enumeration of dharma in Jambudvipa for the sake of all sentient beings, and blessing the stupa of the essence of relics, are excellent, excellent!” This is the samaya and blessing of all tathagatas. Wherever this dharani of the seal of relics is taught, or placed inside a stupa, or placed inside an 8

image, tathagatas will completely, always, continuously follow and remain there. It will always be consecrated with the blessings of tathagatas. Then, once the dharani was taught, at one point the old stupa that was like a heap of refuse manifestly arose and emerged as a stupa of the nature of seven precious materials, perfectly defined, with wheel-garlands and auspiciousness. The bhagavat was pleased, and having spoken those words, the bodhisattva mahasattva Vajrapani; those devas, nagas, yakshas, gandharvas, garudas, kinnaras, and mahoragas; and the world with its devas and humans rejoiced in and extolled the bhagavat’s teaching. This concludes The Dharani Called “Secret Reliquary”: The Essence of the Blessings of All Tathagatas, a Mahayana Sutra. Translated [into Tibetan], edited, and finalized by the Viryakāraprabhava and the translator Tsang Devendrarakshita.

scholar

Extracted from volume twelve of the tantra section of the Derge edition of the Kangyur.

_______________________________________________________________ English translation by Jigme Nyima at the request of Ocean of Merit magazine, with permission from Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, for use in small stupa consecration ceremony at Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, October 3rd, 2009.

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