Tag: 84000

The Candragarbha Perfection of Wisdom is a condensed prajñāpāramitā sūtra that takes the form of a dialogue between the Buddha and the bodhisattvaCandragarbha. In response to Candragarbha’s question about how bodhisattvas should train themselves in the perfection of wisdom, the Buddha declares that the perfection of wisdom lies in the understanding that all phenomena are…

The Sūryagarbha Perfection of Wisdom is a condensed prajñāpāramitā sūtra in the form of a dialogue between the Buddha and the bodhisattvaSūryaprabhāsa, who asks the Buddha how bodhisattvasskilled in means should train themselves in the perfection of wisdom. In response, the Buddha explains that a bodhisattva should train in a meditative stability called the sun…

This short commentary, ascribed to Vasubandhu, explains The Noble Mahāyāna Sūtra on the Four Factors (Ārya­catur­dharmaka­nāma­mahāyāna­sūtra, Toh 251), a discourse on a set of four factors of the path of a bodhisattva: the thought of awakening, the spiritual friend, the twin qualities of tolerance and lenience, and dwelling in the forest. The commentary proposes various…

In Praise of the Goddess Revatī includes a short praise to the goddess Revatī along with a dhāraṇī extracted from The Great Tantra of Supreme Knowledge (Toh 746). The praise itself is just a few lines long and addresses Revatī’s characteristics‍—her body is said to be made of gems and precious substances‍—and her familial lineage.…

The Dhāraṇī of the Supreme Stem Ornament is a short work that includes several prayers for protection, each of which is followed by an essence-mantra. The Translation [F.236.a] 1.­1 Homage to the Three Jewels. 1.­2 May all buddhas grant their protection! I pay homage to supreme awakening; May all noble ones grant their protection! I…

This text consists of a short mantra for incanting medicines that has been extracted from Destroyer of the Great Trichiliocosm (Toh 558).1 The Translation [F.189.b] 1.­1 Homage to the Three Jewels! 1.­2 syād yathedam khaṭe khaṭe khaṭavikhaṭe cale vicale vilamde bale balavate candre caraṇe amṛtanirghoṣe May all diseases of wind, bile, phlegm, and their combination…

The Dhāraṇī of Āvaraṇaviṣkambhin presents two short dhāraṇīs that purify evil deeds, ease the dying process, and bring about birth in the heavenly realms. The Translation [F.166.a] 1.­1 Homage to the Buddha. Homage to the Dharma. Homage to the Sangha. Beginning with these lines of homage, the dhāraṇī of noble Āvaraṇaviṣkambhin should be recited as…

The Dhāraṇī “Purifying All Karmic Obscurations” is a relatively brief text consisting of a short dhāraṇī and a passage about its applications and benefits. Most applications have to do with death and funerary rituals, as the text provides many methods to aid the departed toward a favorable rebirth. The Translation [F.236.a] 1.­1 Obeisance to the…

In Praise of the Glorious Goddess Sarasvatī presents a series of lyrical verses in praise of the deity Sarasvatī, the patron goddess of spoken and written eloquence. With evocative imagery and inspiring language, the praise pays tribute to Sarasvatī’s unimpeded speech, memory, and knowledge, and to her physical majesty and compassionate nature. The praise includes…

The Dhāraṇī of Parṇaśavarī is a short dhāraṇī dedicated to the piśācī Parṇaśavarī, who is renowned in Buddhist lore for her power to cure disease, avert epidemics, pacify strife, and otherwise protect those who recite her dhāraṇī from any obstacles they may face. The Translation [F.228.b] 1.­1 Homage to the noble Parṇaśavarī. 1.­2 Homage to…