The Mahayana Sutra Called 'Dispelling the Darkness of the Ten
2018-03-07 03:40阅读：
In Sanskrit: Arya Dashdig Andhakara Vidha Nasana Nama Mahayana
Sutra In Tibeten, this is called The Mahayana Sutra called
'Dispelling the Darkness of the Ten Directions'
I prostrate before all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Once I have heard at one time, Lord Buddha was dwelling in the
Shakya's region at Serbia, in the orchard of Nayadrodi. A
great group of 250,000 novice and fully ordained monks and a great
group of bodhisattvas, like Manjushri and so on, gathered there
together. Later that morning, Shakyamuni, wearing his
shamt'hab and shawl and holding his begging bowl, along with all
the monks and Sangha around him, all prepared to travel into the
great kingdom of Serkya to beg for food.
At that time, in that town a Shakya man named Zhonnu Zhin Rabsal
(young man with a bright face) was leaving Serkya in his chariot
for some purpose. Shakya Zhonnu Zhin Rabsal saw in the
distance that the Buddha Shakyamuni with all his followers were
coming. Upon see
ing them, he got down from his chariot and walked directly up to
the Buddha Shakyamuni. Holding his hands together, paying
special respect for the Buddha Shakyamuni, he bowed his head to the
Buddha's feet and circumambulated the Buddha three times.
Holding his hands together he sat before Shakyamuni.
Then Shakya Zhonnu Zhin Rabsal reported to Shakyamuni the
following:
'Oh great Shakyamuni, my parents, whether asleep or awake, are
disturbed by non-humans. Lord, when I go to other place, for
whatever reason, I also have problems with thieves and bandits.
Wild animals also make trouble for me. Therefore, Buddha
Shakyamuni, with your loving kindness, from now on, by all means,
you must protect me completely from these humans and non-humans,
and also protect me so the wild animals will never harm me.
Please teach me the sadhana for protection.' He
requested in this way.
Shakyamuni Buddha replied to Shakya Zhonnu Zhin Rabsal: 'Listen
carefully young man and remember what I tell you.' Shakya Zhonnu
Zhin Rabsal replied, 'Yes, I will,' And listened intently to the
Buddha Shakyamuni. The Buddha Shakyamuni began to teach:
'Zhonnu, in the eastern direction there is a Buddha realm.
From here it is 80,000 buddha realms away. There is a
continent called Nyon-Mong pa T'ham-Ched Kyod-pa. In that
realm the Tat'hagata Arhat - the fully completed Buddha, whose name
is Jesu Chudpa, is living there. Zhonnu, when you are
traveling east for any purpose, at that time you should prostrate
to that Buddha and remember that he is in front of you.
Continuously recollect in your mind that there is an actual
Buddha before you. Then you will have nothing to fear.
Without distraction, continue to recollect that Buddha.
Then whatever your purpose, it will meet with
success.'
At that time, Shakyamuni spoke these verses.
'To that great Buddha, prostrate continuously and always remember
him. Then wherever you go, you will never fear.'
'Zhonnu, in the southern direction, there is a Buddha realm which
is 90,000 buddha realms from here. This realm is called
Munpa Dang Munnag Gi Tsog Chompa. In that continent that
Tat'hagata Arhat- the fully completed Buddha, whose name is Set
Dangpo Kyedpo Yidla Dzedpa Namdrang Nyenpa Dangbag Tsawa Dang
Dralwey Ngonpar P'hag-pa'i Gyalpo, is living there. Zhonnu,
when you are traveling towards the south for any purpose at the
time you should prostrate to that Buddha and remember him in front
of you. Continuously recollect in your mind that there is an
actual Buddha before you. Don't be distracted by
homesickness or think of those left behind. Whatever the
purpose of your journey, it will be met with success and you will
not encounter any obstacles.'
At that time the Buddha Shakyamuni spoke these verses.
'All thoughts and memories of your home - don't be distracted by
them. When you travel south, you will have no fear at
all.'
'Zhonnu, in the western direction there is a Buddha realm in which
you have to cross realms that are as countless as the sands of the
river Ganges. In this realm, called Yul-P'hebpa, the
Tat'hagata Arhat- the fully completed Buddha named Khondang Gyagpa
Nampar Nonpa, is living there. Zhonnu, whenever you are
traveling west for any purpose, at that time you should prostrate
to that Buddha and without distraction or downfall, remember he is
in front of you. Going without distraction, you will never
fear at all.'
At that time the Buddha spoke these verses.
'No phenomena has ever been born, therefore they cannot cease.
For the one who knows that the nature of phenomena is such,
there will never be fear.'
'Zhonnu, in the northern direction there is a Buddha realm called
Popba Chen, which is a billion realms away. In that realm
the Tat'hagata Arhat - the fully completed Buddha named Rinchen
Zugkod Od-Nang, is living there. Zhonnu, when you are
traveling north for whatever reason, at that time you should
prostrate to that Buddha and remember without distraction that he
is in front of you. From your mind, continuously recollect
the Buddha before you then go on your way. Whatever your
purpose, it will be met with success and there will be nothing to
fear.'
At that time the Buddha spoke these verses.
'You should always treat all sentient beings with equanimity.
Never disparage anyone, then you will have nothing to
fear.'
'Zhonnu, in the northeast direction there is a Buddha realm called
Dudkyi De Chompa, which is 80,000 Buddha reams away. In that
realm the Tat'hagata Arhat - the fully completed Buddha named
Duddang Yidnyi Kunjom Nampar Non, is living there. That
Buddha - by merely sitting under the pipal tree, all the gods of
three great worlds who live in Mara's realm, are taken to the
sublime path of enlightenment of the 'non-returner'. Zhonnu,
this Buddha's power came through the blessings of the Buddha
sitting under the pipal tree.'
'Zhonnu, when you are traveling northeast for any reason, at that
time if you prostrate to that Buddha and always remember that he is
in front of you. By continuously remembering there is an
actual Buddha before you, whatever the purpose of your travel, it
will be met with success and there will be nothing to fear.'
At that time, the Buddha spoke these verses.
'That Buddha, who was first to think of defeating the maras, became
enlightened. By remembering that Buddha when you travel,
there will be no fear at all.'
'Zhonnu, in the southeast direction there is a Buddha realm called
Tagtu Nangwa which is 20,000 realms from here. In that realm
the Tat'hagata Arhat - the fully completed Buddha named Set Dangpo
Kyedpey Chir Midogpa'i Khorlo Jungwa'i Pal, is living there.
Zhonnu, this Buddha, from the time he began increasing
aspiration bodhicitta until attaining enlightenment free of
obstacles, he practiced generosity, protected his morality,
developed patience, made great effort, accomplished samadhi, and
acted with wisdom. Zhonnu, by doing this, he became a
precious Buddha.'
'Zhonnu, whenever you are traveling southeast for any reason, at
that time you should make prostrations with the 'five branches'
(five limbs) to this Buddha. After that, then you can leave
your home. You will not have fear and you will not have
regret. Without distraction, continuously think that this
Buddha is in front of you. Then whatever your purpose is, it
will be met with success.'
At that time, the Buddha spoke these verses.
'After doing prostrations from the five parts of the body, then you
can leave your home. Bandits and thieves will be powerless
in front of you and they will never assault you. Zhonnu, in
the southwest direction there is a Buddha realm called Sergyi
Drawey yoga, which is 30,000 Buddha realms away. In that
realm the Tat'hagata Arhat- the fully completed Buddha names
Rinchen Dug-P'hag Nang, is living there. Zhonnu, whoever you
are traveling southwest for any reason, at that time you should
prostrate to that Buddha. From your mind, without
distraction, continuously remember the actual Buddha in front of
you. Then whatever your purpose, it will be met with success
and you will not fear.'
At that time the Buddha spoke these verses.
'By prostrating to the Buddha, and offering flowers before him,
then when you travel southwest, you will not have any fear at
all.'
'Zhonnu, in the northwest there is a Buddha realm that is the as
far away as realms that numbers as much as the sands from six river
Ganges. This realm is called Yongdag Rabney Ngonpar P'hag.
In this realm the Tat'hagata Arhat - the fully completed
Buddha named Jangchub Sempa Dulwa, is living there. Zhonnu,
that Buddha realm has no sexual misconduct. There is no
sexual activity, no women, no thorns and no gravel. Not a
single particle or trace of the five residues exist there.
Zhonnu, when traveling northwest for any reason, you should
first take complete Brahmacharya vows. After that, go on
your way and remember the Buddha in front of you, then whatever
your purpose for traveling, it will be met with success and you
will not fear.'
At that time the Buddha spoke these verses.
'By taking vows of complete celibacy, and then leaving your home,
whoever you go, thieves and robbers will never threaten you.'
'Zhonnu, above you is a Buddha realm, called Migpa Medpa Yidla
Jedpa Chen, which is as far away as realms that are as numerous as
the countless sands from sixty river Ganges. In this realm
the Tat'hagata Arhat - the fully completed Buddha named Tragmed
Mundrel Tinge Dzin Ngon-p'hag Gyalpo, is living there.
Zhonnu, if you prostrate to this Buddha and remember this
Buddha before you, whether sitting or standing, and your compassion
is so pervasive as to completely cover all sentient beings, then
you will have no fear.'
At that time the Buddha spoke these verses.
'Without any mental distractions, always remember that Buddha.
By maintaining compassion in your mind, you will never
encounter obstacles and you will not fear.'
'Zhonnu, beneath you is a Buddha realm called Yonten T'hamched Kyi
Gyenpa, which is 92,000 realms away from here. In this realm
the Tat'hagata Arhat - the fully completed Buddha named Dangpo
Semkyed T'hetsom Chod Dzed Nyonmong Kyod, is living there.
Zhonnu, you should prostrate and continuously remember this
Buddha, no matter what you are doing. Whether standing,
sitting, walking, or any other activity, always bow down to this
Buddha. Always have compassion for all beings and accomplish
the benefit of others. Zhonnu, then you will never fear.
Effortlessly, your every need will be met.'
At that time the Buddha spoke these verses.
'Day or night, at all times, you should always remember that
Buddha. Never neglect the mind of compassion, then you will
have no fear at all.'
'Zhonnu, you should memorize all these Buddhas' names perfectly,
and without fail. Keep their names in your mind, correctly,
and try to understand them perfectly. Then fear will never
come. Hesitation and surprise will never come to you.'
When the Buddha spoke these words, Shakya Zhonnu Zhin Rabsal
reported to the Buddha Shakyamuni:
'Oh great Buddha Shakyamuni, I will keep all these Buddha's names
in mind in the correct way. Oh Buddha, for me all these
realms are not invisible. Buddha Shakyamuni, all these
realms and Buddhas are visible to me! For example Buddha
Shakyamuni, just as I can see you teaching all your retinues right
now, in the same way these realms are visible to me.'
After that, all those gathered there, Shakya Zhonnu Zhin Rabsal and
others, revered the Buddha, made prostrations, offerings, and
performed rites. Those who came to listen, all one-thousand
stood up from their seat, placed their dharma shawls over their
shoulders, and with right knees on the ground and hands pressed
together, faced the Buddha and reported to Buddha Shakyamuni:
'Oh Buddha, for our benefit you taught this Sutra. Oh
Buddha, all those realms and directions, they are not invisible to
us. We can see them also! Oh Buddha, the Buddha
realms and Tat'hagatas are not hidden. Oh Buddha, all those
realms and all those Tat'hagatas are not hidden from us. For
example, just as you are teaching here now; in the same way we are
seeing all these realms and buddhas.'
Then Shariputra stood up from his cushion placed his dharma shawl
over his shoulder and knelt his right knee on the ground. He
put his hands together and facing toward Shakyamuni, he asked the
Buddha:
'Oh Buddha, all these noble men and women who have received these
Dharma teachings, by hearing all the Buddha's names, their eyes
were completely purified and they are seeing all the realms and all
the Buddhas of the ten directions. Oh Buddha, by what merit
have they purified their eyes? When they die is the same
ability continuing after their rebirth?'
The Buddha answered:
'Shariputra, any noble man or women who has completely entered into
the Mahayana vehicle, and who has purified their eyes, for them,
nothing will ever be hidden, and they will become a completely
purified one. Shariputra, are you seeing one-thousand beings
here? Shariputra, anyone who truly possess bodhisattva vows
and understanding will result in this virtue. Each and every
one will become wheel-turning kings, as many times as there are
sands in Ganges, until the end of the aeon, and at their final
rebirth, they will complete all the bodhicitta accumulation.
In one aeon, they will become enlightened under the same
name: the great Buddha Chendag Per Gyenpa.'
Once the Buddha spoke this prophesy to the gathering, immediately
the three worlds of samsara shook in six different ways.
It was moving; really moving, completely moving.
Shaking, realign shaking, completely shaking.
Shaking with the sound of ur-ur, really shaking with the sound of
ur-ur, completely shaking with the sound of ur-ur.
Raising up; really raising up, completely raising up.
Trembling with the sound of chem-chem; really
trembling with the sound of chem-chem, completely
trembling with the sound of chem-chem.
Churning, really churning, completely churning.
The earth gods said, 'Like this, when those male or female retinues
merely hold those Buddha's names, and they truly enter the path to
enlightenment, they know all phenomenon perfectly. To know
this - this is truly great. With such greatness, who would
not devote themselves to the Buddha Shakyamuni?' The sound
of their words reached all the way to the realm of the Four
Direction Kings, Indra's realm of the Thirty-Three, the gods of the
T'hab-Dral realm, the gods of the Gaden realm, the Trulga realm,
the gods of the Zentrul Wangjed realm, the gods of the Tsangri
realm, and the gods of the Tsangpa Dunna Don realm.
The sound of these word travelled to the very top of the heaven
realms; they all heard the sound of the earth god's words.
The gods, by hearing this, became happy and blissful.
They said: 'when those retinues understood how to know the
Buddha's names in the proper way, they really came to understand
the nature of phenomenon. The meaning of this they came to
know in their mind, and therefore became fully enlightened Buddhas.
There is no one who would not be ready to pay devotion to
the Buddha Shakyamuni.'
After that, Buddha Shakyamuni spoke to Ananda:
'Ananda, noble men and women who truly enter into the Bodhisattva
vehicle and who hear this sutra and tried to remember this, by
holding this Sutra, or by reading this Sutra, trying to learn it
all, and also trying to teach it to many others in the proper way,
at least by writing it down and keeping it, to those noble men and
women, Buddha will bestow blessings upon them, because this is a
great activity for all the past Buddhas. You must know that
they will never suffer at the time of death. They will not
die under difficult conditions. They will not die from
other's harm, or harm by bandits or robbers. They will not
die by water, poison, or weapons. Trust that this is
so.'
The king of the gods, Indra, who understood the prophesy of the
Buddha, came to Shakyamuni, accompanied by one-thousand gods.
He bowed to the Buddha's feet, and circumambulated the
Buddha three times. He made offerings of sandalwood powder
of the gods to Buddha Shakyamuni and the one-thousand beings who
were prophesied by the Buddha Shakyamuni to become future Buddhas.
He offered them flowers from the gods, and he scattered
divine Mandarava flowers for the Buddha and the future one-thousand
Buddhas. With hands held in prayer, they sat to one side and
Indra reported to the Buddha:
'Oh Buddha, for all the noble men and women who will remember this,
hold this, read this teaching, and try to learn it all; please
protect them.'
The Buddha replied, 'My followers - noble men and women who live in
their home, or in a monastery, who live under trees, or empty
dwellings, who live in remote areas: those who are on the path, and
those who have lost the path, those who are sleeping, and those who
are awake; for all of them, I will protect them from murder.'
Then the Buddha Shakyamuni spoke to Ananda, 'Oh Ananda, for those
living Buddhas, if these noble men and women serve them until they
leave samsara by offering food, clothing, cushions, hosting,
offering medicine to them; doing these things is not enough to say
they served the Buddha. It is not accepting Buddha as their
teacher. It is not a great help, nor it is a perfect
offering. Instead, if those noble men and women who have
completely entered the bodhisattva vehicle, if they listen to this
sutra, recite it, read it and understand its meaning, or teach it
to other beings in the proper way, or at least writing it down and
preserving it; Ananda, doing this is giving complete respect for
all the Buddhas. This is accepting all the Buddhas as your
teacher. This is the perfect service. This is the
perfect offering. This called accepting the teacher,
accepting perfect service. Truly great offerings have been
made.'
Ananda again stood up from his cushion, placing his shawls over his
shoulder, his right knee kneeling on the ground, he held his hands
together and reported to the Buddha:
'Oh Buddha Shakyamuni, what will be the name of this Sutra, and in
which way shall we hold this?' asked Ananda. The
Buddha answered Ananda. This Sutra shall be called
'Completely Dispelling the Darkness of the Ten Directions' or you
can call this 'Reciting Perfectly the Names of the Sugatas' or you
can call it 'Understanding Objectlessness;' or 'Understanding
Objects are Without Characteristics.'
When the Buddha spoke in this way, Ananda, and the gathering of
Shariputra, Shakya Zhonnu Zhin Rabsal, and the one-thousand beings
who were prophesied to become future Buddhas, Indra the King of
gods, all the monks, all the bodhisattvas, all the gods, humans,
Demi-gods, ghandarvas and all sentient beings, developed trust and
believed what the Buddha had said.
This Mahayana Sutra called, 'Completely Dispelling the Darkness of
the Ten Directions,' is complete.
