Om Mani Padme Hum
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Friday, May 13, 2016
Blog Updates:
Blog Updates:
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Minor updates:
- Update labels on some old posts
Will continue to make minor improvements for this blog!
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McAfee DAT version = 8163 (May 12th 2016)
McAfee DAT version = 8163 (May 12th 2016)
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Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)
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The Sutra of the Master of Healing
(The Sutra of the Master of Healing)
(Bhaisajayaguru-Vaidurya-Prabhasa Tathagata)
Translated into Chinese from Sanskrit by Reverend Hsuan Tsang
Translated into English from Chinese Version by Prof. Chow Su-Chia
Revised by Upasaka Shen Shou-Liang
Thus I have heard: While wandering through many lands to convert the beings, Bhagavan arrived at Vaisali. He dwelt under a resounding tree, and with him was a big crowd of beings, including eight thousand monks, thirty-six thousand Great Bodhisattvas, as well as kings, ministers, brahmins, lay-disciples, the eight groups of dragons, and other celestial beings, such as kimnaras and the rest. This infinite mass surrounded him with devotion. He preached to them.
Then Manjushri, son of the Dharma-king and chief disciple of the Buddha, rose from his seat. He bared one of his shoulders, bent his right knee to the ground in the direction of Bhagavan, bowed, joined the palms of his hands, and reverently said: "World-honoured! We only wish you would tell us such and such names of the Buddha, their original vows, and their boundless virtues so that the hearers may know how to keep away from all karmic hindrances by their wisdom, to the blessing and joy of all beings who live in the formal period of Buddhism."
Then the World-honoured praised the disciple Manjushri and said: "Good! Excellent! Manjushri! Out of great pity you asked me to mention the names of the Buddhas and the virtues achieved from their original vows, so as to pull out from all beings the hindrances of the karma which bind them, to the blessing and joy of those who live in the formal period of Buddhism. Now listen well and bear in mind to what I shall tell you." Manjushri said: "Very well, we are happy that such is your wish. We are glad to listen." Then the Buddha said to Manjushri: "Eastward from here, beyond Buddha-land about ten times as numerous as the sands of the Ganga, there is a world called ¡®The Pure Crystal Realm¡¯, the Paradise of Yao Shih. Its Buddha has a few titles, such as The Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, The Arhat of Perfect Knowledge, The Prefect Mind and Deed, The Well Departed Sugata, The Knower of the World, The Peerless Nobleman, The Man Who Brings The Passions of Men Under Control, The Teacher of Devas And Men, The Buddha, and Bhagavan. At the time when that World-honoured Buddha of Medicine became a Bodhisattva, he made Twelve Great Vows to grant all beings with whatever they pray."
The first vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained unexcelled complete Enlightenment, my body should be shining like a brilliant light, throwing beams on infinite, and boundless, worlds, adorned with a retinue of thirty-two forms of the Great Men and with eighty physical characteristics of the Buddha, I shall make all beings wholly equal to me.¡¯
The second vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, my body should be like a crystal in spotless purity both within and without, with splendorous radiant light, in the majesty of its virtue, sitting serenely, adorned with the aureole, brighter than the sun and the moon, I shall reveal my great power to all the beings in obscurity, in order that they may act freely according to their bent.¡¯
The third vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should grant by means of boundless wisdom, to all beings the inexhaustible things that they may need and that they may be free from any want.¡¯
The fourth vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect enlightenment, I should bring those who have gone the heterodox ways to dwell tranquilly in the way of Bodhi; and those who travel on the Vehicle of the Sramana and the Pratyekabuddha on the Vehicle of the Sramana and the Pratyekabuddha to stand firmly in the Great Vehicle of Bodhisattva.¡¯
The fifth vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should enable the innumerable beings to observe all the moral laws to mend their ways to pure living, and to obey the three cumulative commandments. Should there be any relapse, or violation, they shall again become pure once they hear of my name, then they shall not fall into evil existences.¡¯
The sixth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, those beings who are physically inferior, with imperfect senses, such as, the ugly, stupid, blind, deaf, mute, crippled, paralysed, hump-backed, leprous, lunatic, or sick in many respects, shall all of them, when they hear my name, regain their normal appearances and become intelligent. All their senses shall be perfectly restored, and they shall not suffer from diseases.'
The seventh vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, those who are tormented by diseases, who have nobody to whom they can seek for help, without a refuge, without a doctor, without medicine, without relatives, without a home; these poor and miserable beings shall all of them be free from diseases and troubles, and shall enjoy perfect health of body and mind, once my name reaches their ears. They shall have families, friends and properties a-plenty, and shall all be brought to the supreme Enlightenment of Buddha.'
The eighth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, women who are tormented by the hundred of sufferings of the female sex, who are much wearied of life and long to make bodily sacrifice, shall all of them, when they hear my name, be transformed into men instead of women, in the next re-birth, they shall get the form of manhood and shall in the end attain the supreme Enlightenment of Buddha.'
The ninth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should let all being to escape the evil nets of Mara, to be free from other non-Buddhist cults. If they should have fallen into the dense forest of false doctrines, I should assist and lead them to the noble truths, and gradually induce them to lead the life of a Bodhisattva and soon they shall attain supreme Enlightenment of Buddha.'
The tenth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should bring it to pass that all those who are recorded and condemned by the royal law to be bound and whipped, to be enchained in prisons, to be sentenced to capital punishment, too meet numerous other disasters and insult, to be afflicted with sorrow and anguish, to be troubled both in body and in mind, shall, when they hear of my name, escape evil kalpas through the awe-inspiring majesty of my blessedness and virtue.'
The eleventh vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should bring it to pass that all beings who are tormented by hunger and thirst and who, in order to obtain drink and food, if they can carefully remember my name and cherish it, then I should let them taste the flavour of the Dharma, and eventually lead a tranquil and happy life.'
The twelfth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, all beings who are poor and naked, tormented day and night by mosquitoes and wasps, by cold and heat, when they hear my name and carefully remember and cherish it, shall receive the wonderful garments of all kinds, as well as valuable ornaments, chaplets of fragrant flower; and various kinds of instrumental music shall resound. Whatever they dream of, they shall have in abundance.'
"Manjushri, these are the twelve wonderful sublime vows made by the World's Most Venerable Buddha, of Medicine when he was a Bodhisattva."
"Now Manjushri! when the Buddha Medicine as a Bodhisattva, made his vows the stern virtues of them have reached the Buddhaland; if I should speak kalpa after kalpa about these virtues I could not mention all of them. Verily, this Buddhaland is eternally pure, it has no women, nor has it any evil influences, and no screams of pain are heard there. The ground is of lapis lazuli, golden cords set bounds to the ways of this land, the walls, towers, castles, halls, verandas, and bird nets are made of seven precious things. In all aspects it is equal to the Western Paradise. There is no difference between the two. There are two Great Bodhisattvas in this country: the name of one is Radiance of the Sun; that of the other, Radiance of the Moon. They are the chiefs of a host of Bodhisattvas. They represent the Buddha. They guard the treasury of the right doctrine of the Buddha of Medicine. Therefore, Manjushri, all good men and women who have confidence in faith should wish to be born in the world of Buddha."
Then the Buddha spoke further on to the disciple Manjushri and said: "Manjushri, there are those who do not distinguish good from evil. They indulge incessantly in greed and avarice. They do not know what alms-giving is, and what the effect of such a deed will be. They are idiots. They have no faith. They accumulate riches, and guard them carefully. When they see a beggar, they are not glad in heart. When they have to bestow a charity, it is like cutting a piece of flesh from the body. A deep and painful regret ensues. There are other innumerable greedy and stingy beings who gather money but do not use it even for themselves, so how could you expect them to give it to their parents, wives, children, servants, or beggar? These beings, after their death, shall be reborn as hungry ghost or as animals. Now, it may happen that, as men in a former incarnation, they had by chance heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine. Now, it may happen that, as men in a former incarnation, they had by chance heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine. Now in the evil incarnation the name of that Tathagata accidentally recurs to their mind. Then when they remember him, they suddenly disappear and again be transformed into men. There they remember their former life, they are afraid of the sufferings of the bad incarnation. They do not rejoice at worldly pleasures. They gladly practice charity, and they praise the giver. They are no longer greedy and do not regret the alms given by themselves. Yes, in time they are able to bestow upon the one who asks them even for their head, eye, hand, foot, blood, flesh, and other parts of their body, to say nothing of their money and property!"
"Furthermore, Manjushri, there are beings who, though having learned everything point and point from the Tathagata, trespass against the Commandments. There are others who, though not trespassing against the Commandments, trespass against the minor rules. Others who, though neither trespassing against the Commandments nor against the minor rules, have not got the right views. Still Others who, though having the proper ideas, neglect to learn, and thus they are unable to understand the deep meaning of the Sutras taught by the Buddha. Others are studious but proud. Because their hearts are be-clouded with pride, so they think highly of themselves and think little of others. They criticise the correct doctrine of the Buddha and become the companions of Mara. These fools are not only themselves erring, but they also dig pitfalls for millions of others. They then do evil and are incessantly reborn into hells, as animals or as hungry ghosts."
"It may occur that they then heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine, they may turn from their wickedness, they may follow the right teaching, and they do not fall into evil destinies any more. But if there should be any among them who are unable to turn from wickedness, who do not follow the right teaching, and who fall into evil destinies as a consequence, then, they still have the chance to become men in the next re-birth in case that, through the magic power of the vows of this Tathagata, they are able to hear his name chanted just for a moment. If they take heart to follow the right doctrine and curb their lust, they will be enabled to leave their homes and to become monks. They cling implicitly to the teaching of the Tathagata, swerve no more from it, and from the right principles and learn more, then they will understand the profound meanings. Far from being haughty, they do not criticise the right teaching, do not become companions of Mara. Gradually they will enter the way of Bodhisattvas and will soon attain perfect enlightenment."
"Furthermore, Manjushri, there are beings who are avaricious and envious. They praise themselves and depreciate others. For this reason, they fall into the three evil destinies. During innumerable millenniums they suffer misery, after their death they will be reborn among men but as oxen, horses, camels or donkeys. They will be tormented constantly by whip, by hunger, and by thirst; they must carry heavy loads on their backs and walk long ways. Even if they were reborn as human beings, they will be reborn in a poor hut, and when they grow up they will become man-servants and maid-servants. They will be ordered around by other people and will never be their own bosses. When such beings, in a former incarnation, heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine, they will now be save by Him. If they remember him and whole-heartedly have recourse to the Buddha, all their sufferings will be removed through His majestic power. Their senses will be sharpened. They will become wise and they would like to listen and become learned. They will strive solely for the sublime teaching; they will hold social intercourse with friends who will lead them to the good deeds. They will cut all nets of Mara. They will pierce the veil of ignorance. They will let the stream of suffering flow off and be released from pains of birth, old age, sickness, death, and all the worries and miseries."
"Still, Manjushri, there are beings who like to do that which is repugnant to others, who like to quarrel and cause displeasure both to themselves and to others. By deeds, words and thoughts, they create all sorts of bad karma. They constantly do harm to each other, they hatch plans to injure one another. They pray to the spirits of the mountains, trees and tombs. They kill living things, take their bleeding flesh, and offer it to the Yaksas and Rakshasas. They write down the name of their enemy, make a picture of him, and, by the use of sorcery, they curse over it. They use black magic and poison. They conjure up a ghost from corpse. This puts an end to the life of the enemy and destroys his body."
"When, by chance, these beings hear of the name of the Buddhas of Medicine, then all these evil things will lose power to harm them. They learn to have compassion on each other. They wish to be of service, they wish to make each other happy. They renounce malice and the impulse to create suffering. Everyone rejoices. Being contented with the property he owns, he does not covet that of others. They are helpful to each other."
"Furthermore, Manjushri, there are four groups in our community: the monk, the nuns, the male devotees, and the female devotees. There are other pious men and women, who believe and observe the first eight of the Ten Commandments. They observe all points from three months to a year. Because of this good seed they have planted, they expect to be reborn in the Western Paradise where the Buddha Amitayus dwells. But, though they hear the correct doctrine of the Buddha, they can not discern and put enough trust in it. When they hear the name of the Buddha of Medicine at the time of their death, then there will be eight Bodhisattvas who, with magic powers, will traverse the intervening space to come to show them their ways, and amidst the colourful flowers of that world, they will be born there by transformation."
"Sometimes they are also born in the Heaven. Though they are born in Heaven, the original good roots are still there, they will not fall into evil destinies again. When their life in Heaven is ended, they will again become men. Or they may become supreme rulers, governing the four inhabited continents of the Universe, and rule in independent majesty."
"Innumerable beings are established in the excellent Karma resulting from the practice of the Ten Commandments. Some are born as Kshatriyas or as Brahmins, some as lay-disciples, some born in a large family. They abound in riches, with their treasuries and granaries overflowing. Their appearance are awe-inspiring. They have enough relatives and kinsmen, they are clever and they gain in wisdom. They are as strong and brave as the most powerful. If it is a woman who heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine, and if she whole-heartedly cherishes it, she shall never again become a woman in the next re-birth."
"Then, Manjushri, when the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, had attained perfect Enlightenment, to become the Buddha of Medicine, he saw by virtue of his vows, that the beings were suffering from all sorts of diseases, such as tuberculosis, bilious fever, or that they were affected by a spell or by poison, or that some were by their nature short-lived, or that some have died a violent death. He wish to fulfil all their desires by putting an end to all these diseases and miseries. Therefore the World's Most Venerable entered into a Samadhi called the Removal of Suffering for All Beings. While He was in this contemplation a great radiance of light of light was sent forth from his Ushnisa, and he pronounced the great Dharani as follows:
"NAMO BHAGAVATE BHAISAJAYA-GURU-VAIDURYA-PRABHA-RAJAYA
TATHAGATAYA ARHATE SAMYAKSAMBUDDHAYA TADYATHA OM
BHAISAJYE BHAISAJYE BHAISAJYA SAMUDGATE SVAHA"
When He, in his radiance, had spoken this mystical formula, the earth was shaken and emitted a great light. All beings were delivered from their diseases and miseries, they are now happy because their bodies and minds are at rest.
"Manjushri, if you see a pious man or woman who suffers from a disease, you shall do the following whole-heartedly for those sick people: let them keep clean by taking frequently baths and rinse their mouths, give them food, medicine and clean water, and recite the Dharani for a hundred and eight times, then all diseases will disappear entirely. When one of them has a particular wish, he shall concentrate and recite the magic formula. Then he will fulfil all he wishes, he will be without disease, and will live longer. After his death, he will born in paradise without having to return to this world, and will in the end attain perfect Enlightenment. Therefore, Manjushri, if there is a pious man or woman who very seriously prays to the Buddha of Medicine and, he or she must always keep in mind this magic formula and never forget it."
"Still more, Manjushri, there may be a pious man or woman who hears the name of the Buddha of Medicine and repeats it and fosters it, he chews the Dantakastha (a stick for cleaning the teeth) in the morning, takes bath and rinses his mouth, until he is quite clean. He then prays with incense and flowers, he burns the incense and rubs the body with perfume, sings the Sutra and proffers offerings before the image of the Buddha. He copies the Sutra or has it copied, learns it by heart, has it explained to him. He makes offerings to his Buddhist teacher and gives alms generously and not let him be in want of anything. Then all the Buddhas will protect him and keep him in mind. His prayers will be granted, he will eventually attain perfect Enlightenment."
Then the disciple Manjushri saluted the Buddha and said: "World honoured, I swear that I will pray Buddha-truth, I shall cause, by many means, all male and female devotees to hear the names of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, I shall shout the names of the Buddha into their ears even in their sleep. World honoured, when someone learns this Sutra by heart and reads, proclaims and expounds it to other people, copies it himself, or has it copied, makes offerings reverently and seriously with various fragrant flowers, perfumed unguents, sandal-powder and burning incense, with garlands, strings of pearls, flags and music; he also makes bags of five-coloured silk and puts Sutra into them, sweeps clean a place, displays the bags the bags on a high table that they may lie there in readiness, then the four great Kings of Heaven with their retinue and the other innumerable hundreds and thousands of celestial hosts will come to make offerings and to protect the Sutra. World-honoured, where the treasures of this Sutra flow out and can be received through the blessing of the Vow of this World honoured Buddha of Medicine, and his name can be heard, then they will know that no violent death will ever occur at that place, and nobody¡¯s spirit will ever be seized by evil demons and evil spirits. And if it has already been wrested from him, he can still restore it as he was before, he will have peace both in Body and mind."
Then the Buddha said to Manjushri: "So it is, so it is! It is exactly as you say, Manjushri, if a devout man or woman who wishes to make an offering to this world honoured Buddha of Medicine, he or she must first make an image of this Buddha, prepare a clean place to erect it, strew various flowers, burn all sorts of incense, adorn the place with curtains and flags, for seven days and seven nights, keep the eight prohibitory commands, eat clean food, take baths so that one may have a clean odour, put on clean clothes, free the mind from dirty, angry and malicious thoughts, wish to be of service to others, and try to bring happiness to everybody. One should be full of compassion, glad to give alms, and sympathetic to every one. Thus cleansed, he should go around the Buddha image to the right, and sing the hymns with drum music. Moreover, he must remember the blessing of the Vows of Tathagata, read aloud this Sutra, meditate upon its meaning, recite and explain it. What he wishes for will all be fulfilled. If he wishes for wealth, he will become rich. If he wishes to become an official, he will become an official. if he wishes to have a son or a daughter, he will get a son or a daughter. When he has a bad dream, sees evil omens, sees strange birds flocking together, or has his room filled with strange apparitions, if this man, will all the sacred implements worships and make offerings, then the World honoured Buddha of Medicine will bring it to pass that the bad dreams and the bad omens which prophecy ill luck will vanish completely and will do him no harm. He will be protected from the dangers of water, fire, sword, poison, elephants, lions, tigers, wolves, bears, snakes, scorpions, millipedes, mosquitoes, gnats and other frightful and unpleasant things if he whole-heartedly remembers the Buddha, worships Him , then all troubles will vanish."
Furthermore, Manjushri, in case there is a pious man or woman who does not care for other gods during his or her whole life and whose only thought is to become a Buddhist disciple, and who observes either five or ten of the Commandments, or the four hundred commandments of the Bodhisattva, the two hundred and fifty of the monk, or the five hundred of the nun, and who fears he may relapse into sin and fall into evil destinies; if he or she can only recite the name of the Buddha, worships Him and makes offerings to Him, he and she will certainly not suffer from the three paths of transmigration - the hells, hungry ghost and animals."
"A woman may suffer from great pain while giving birth. If she can whole-heartedly worship the Buddha of Medicine and to invoke the name Tathagata, worship Him and make offerings to Him, all pain will vanish, the newly born baby will have a sound and healthy body; whoever sees him will rejoice at his being so clever, so strong and healthy; and no demon comes to rob him of his vitality."
Then the Buddha spoke to Ananda: "If I praise the virtues of the Buddha of Medicine and let you know that the actions of the Buddha have an occult meaning that it is difficult to understand. Can you believe me?"
Ananda said: "Virtuous World honoured One, I have no doubt in my belief about the Sutras of Tathagata. My reason for this belief is that the karma of Tathagatas, formed through deeds, words and thoughts, is perfectly pure. World-honoured, the disc of this sun and moon may be torn down, the inconceivable high Sumeru mountain may be shaken, but the words of the Buddhas will never change. World-honoured, the beings whose faith is as yet insufficient may question the occult meaning of the Buddha¡¯s acts. They think: How is it possible that, by only remembering the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, we can reap so many blessings? Then they do not believe, nay, they challenge. Such people forfeit their blessing and joy over one long night, they fall into evil existences and drift eternally in the stream of miserable life."
Then Buddha told Ananda: "When all these beings hear the name of the World-honoured Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata and cherish it whole-heartedly, and have no more doubts, then it is impossible for them to fall into evil destinies again. Those who have fallen into evil destinies, they have done no good deeds. Ananda, this is the occult meaning of the acts of the Tathagatas; it is hard to believe! You can conceive of it now, and so you know that all that I have told you has its root in the power of the Tathagatas. Ananda, all Shramanas and Pratyekabuddhas, and the Bodhisattvas who have not yet reached the ten stages, are unable to believe the full truth and to expound it, only the Bodhisattva who has only one life that binds him can do it. Ananda, it is difficult to get a human body. It is also difficult to have faith in the Triple Gems, to believe and to revere them. But it is still more difficult to hear the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata. Ananda, the Bodhisattva deeds of the Buddha of Medicine, his skilful means to convert the beings, and his far reaching vows are innumerable. If I should expound them in great detail, I could speak kalpa after kalpa and even longer, the kalpas would soon be exhausted, but the deeds, the vows, and the skilful means of the Buddha would not be exhausted."
There was, at that time, a great Bodhisattva in the community. His name was Seeker of Salvation. He stood up from his seat, bared his right shoulder, touched the earth with his right knee, bowed with the palms of his hands joined together, and said to the Buddha: "Virtuous World honoured, in the decline of the formal period there shall be beings who are exhausted by many misfortunes, they are thin in consequence of long illness. Such a being can neither eat nor drink, his lips and throat are dry. Everything he sees is dark. The signs of death are presently manifest. His parents, family, relatives and friends stand around him weeping. His body lies on the bed, he sees the messengers of Yama leading his spirit to the judge. Verily, all beings have a spirit which originates with them. Everything they have done, be it good or bad, was in the record. Everything was kept with judge Yama. Just at that time, this judge questions the man. He sums up his deeds. He assigns him his place according to the proportion of his good and bad deeds. If at that time the relatives and friends of this sick man could make him believe in the Buddha of Medicine and ask the monks to recite this Sutra, light a seven-layer lantern, hang up either consciousness may returns after seven, twenty-one, thirty-five, or forty-nine days. At that time when he returns consciousness, he feels like awakened from a dream, he remembers the award he has received for his good or bad deeds. For he has himself been a witness of the reward of his deeds."
"He remembers this throughout his life¡¯s hardships, he no longer commits any evil deed. Therefore men and women who are firm in their faith cherish the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, worship Him and make offerings to Him with what they can."
At that time, Ananda asked the Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation: "Pious man, how shall we worship the Buddha of Medicine and make offerings to Him? What are the significances of the banners and the lanterns?"
The Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation said: "Virtuous One, for the sick people whom one wishes to free from their sufferings, it is necessary to keep the eight prohibitory commands during seven days and nights, and to make offerings of food and drink and other things, according to one¡¯s capability, to the congregation of monks; to perform worship according to the ritual, for six times day and night and have offerings made to the Buddha of Medicine; to recite this Sutra forty-nine times, to light up forty-nine lamps, to have seven image of the Tathagata made, to have seven lamps put infront of each image, the flame of each lamp may illuminate a cartwheel. For forty-nine days these lamps must be kept burning unceasingly. Hang up five-coloured banners, forty-nine spans long, and set free various kinds of animals to the number of forty-nine. In this way, the sick people are made to overcome the danger of being violently killed by evil spirits."
"Furthermore, Ananda, in case of a Kshatriya or an Abhisecana or King at a time when calamity arises, such as pestilence among the population, invasion by foreign countries, revolution in his own country, ominous displacement in a constellation, eclipse or the sun or the moon, wind and rain out season or drought through no rain, this Kshatriya or Abhisecana King must then have pity on all beings, set all captives free, perform the above mentioned ceremonies of offering, and make offerings to the Virtuous Buddha of Medicine. As a consequence of these good deeds and the power of original vow of Tathagata, he will bring about the result that his country will be delivered, that wind and rain will come in good time, and will let the crops ripe, that the people will be happy without sickness, that no cruel Yaksha in his country will torment the people, and that all evil omens will at once disappear. And the Kshatriya¡¯s or Abhisecana King¡¯s life, material appearance, vitality, and sickless independence will all be benefited. Ananda, if the Queen, the wives of the princes, the crown-prince, the princes, the ministers, the court councillors, the ladies of the palace, the provincial officials or the common people suffering from diseases, or if another calamity occurs, he shall also hang up five-coloured banners for warding off all the evil spirits, light lamps and keep them burning, set animals free, strew many coloured flowers, burn precious incense, then the diseases will be cured and all afflictions will vanish."
Then Ananda asked the Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation: "Pious man, how can a life that has come to an end be prolonged?"
The Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation said: "Virtuous One, did you hear that the Tathagatas say that there are nine kinds of violent deaths? Therefore, I exhort you to hang up the life prolonging banner, to light up the lamps, and to perform the pious deeds. By performing the pious deeds, one¡¯s life come to a natural end without suffering from any painful experience."
Ananda asked: "what are the nine kinds of violent deaths?"
The Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation said: "The nine violent deaths are;
(1) There are beings who become sick. Though the sickness is not serious but there is neither medicine nor a doctor for the treatment. In case they take the wrong medicine, they may meet violent death which can very well be avoided. Some trust in Maras and Heretics, or masters of magical and bewitching powers. From a frivolous prediction of good or bad luck, fear and uneasiness arises. Those people whose own heart cannot clearly discern, question fortune-tellers whether misfortunes awaits them. Some kill living beings for a sacrifice in order to propitiate the spirits. Some call out to the evil spirits and ask for protection, they wish to prolong their lives, but all to no avail. They are ignorant of the right way. They believe in heterodox views, not recognising the doctrine of moral karma. This leads in the end to a violent death. They enter into hell and can never get out of it. This is the first violent death.
(2) Some are violently executed by order of the law.
(3) Some hunt for pleasure, lead and unrestrained life with women and wine, and dissipated without halt and limit. Then the fiends come and violently snatch their spiritual vigour.
(4) Some come to a violent end by being burnt by fire.
(5) Some come to a violent end by being drowned.
(6) Some come to a violent end by being devoured by wild beasts.
(7) Some come to a violent end by falling from a steep cliff.
(8) Some come to a violent end by being destroyed by poison, by image spell Vetala, by spoken-spell Dharani, or by demonical influence to resurrect a corpse and cause it kill another person.
(9) Some suffer hunger and thirst, do not get anything to eat or drink and thus die an untimely death.
"These are what Tathagata briefly named as the nine kinds of violent deaths. Besides, there are innumerable other kinds which cannot all be told here."
"In addition, Ananda, the judge Yama keeps a complete list, with the deeds of each inhabitant on earth recorded, if any of the beings are not filial and commit the five mortal sins, revile the Triple Gems, infringe the laws of the country, and violate the natural moral laws, then the judge Yama examines, whether their sins were grave or light, and punishes them accordingly."
"Therefore I now ask all beings to light up the lamps and hang up the banners, to set free the animals, and to do good deeds, so that misery and grief can be overcome and the life¡¯ hardships can be avoided." At that time, there were twelve Yaksha spiritual generals in the assembly, viz:
General Kumbhira,
General Vajra,
General Mihira,
General Andira,
General Majira,
General Shandira,
General Indra,
General Pajra,
General Makura,
General Sindura,
General Catura,
General Vikarala.
These twelve Yaksha Generals, each having seven thousand Yakshas in his retinue, raised their voices, simultaneously and saluted the Buddha by saying: "World¡¯s Most Venerable, we have experienced today the wondrous power of the Buddha by permitting us to hear the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, we have no further fear of the evil destinies. All of us are of one mind, that is as long as this form lasts, we shall have recourse to Buddhist Trinity. We swear to bear the responsibility to let all beings be benefited by the path of truth and to let them be abound with happiness. Wherever it may be - in villages, cities, capitals, or even in unfrequented forests, when any one preaches this Sutra and cherishes the names of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, worships Him and makes Him offerings, we and our retinues shall guard and protect him, deliver him completely from all distress, fulfil all his wishes. When he falls ill and calls for help, he should also read this Sutra, take a five-coloured skein and tie it into knots, forming the letters of our names, and untie the knots when his wishes are fulfilled."
At that time, the World¡¯s Most Venerable praised the Yaksha Generals and said: "Excellent, excellent, Great Yaksha Generals! If you want to return the favour of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, you must always be of service to all beings and make them happy."
Then Ananda saluted the Buddha and said: "World¡¯s Most Venerable! What is this revelation called? By what name shall we cherish it?"
Then Buddha said to Ananda: "This revelation is called: ¡®The Blessing of the Original Vow of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata¡¯. It is also called: ¡®The scared formula¡¯ which tells how the twelve Yaksha spiritual generals vowed to be useful to all beings. A third name is called ¡®The Removal of All Karmic Hindrances¡¯. So you shall bear in mind."
When Bhagavan was preaching these words, all the Great Bodhisattvas and the Great Sramanas, the kings and the great ministers, the Brahmins, the Upasakas the gods, the dragons, the Yaksas, Gandharvas, Asuras, Garudas, Kinnaras, Mahoragas, human and non-human beings, all others in the assembly heard the words of the Buddha. All of them greatly rejoiced, accepted the belief and promised to keep it faithfully.
- wong chee tat :)
(Bhaisajayaguru-Vaidurya-Prabhasa Tathagata)
Translated into Chinese from Sanskrit by Reverend Hsuan Tsang
Translated into English from Chinese Version by Prof. Chow Su-Chia
Revised by Upasaka Shen Shou-Liang
Thus I have heard: While wandering through many lands to convert the beings, Bhagavan arrived at Vaisali. He dwelt under a resounding tree, and with him was a big crowd of beings, including eight thousand monks, thirty-six thousand Great Bodhisattvas, as well as kings, ministers, brahmins, lay-disciples, the eight groups of dragons, and other celestial beings, such as kimnaras and the rest. This infinite mass surrounded him with devotion. He preached to them.
Then Manjushri, son of the Dharma-king and chief disciple of the Buddha, rose from his seat. He bared one of his shoulders, bent his right knee to the ground in the direction of Bhagavan, bowed, joined the palms of his hands, and reverently said: "World-honoured! We only wish you would tell us such and such names of the Buddha, their original vows, and their boundless virtues so that the hearers may know how to keep away from all karmic hindrances by their wisdom, to the blessing and joy of all beings who live in the formal period of Buddhism."
Then the World-honoured praised the disciple Manjushri and said: "Good! Excellent! Manjushri! Out of great pity you asked me to mention the names of the Buddhas and the virtues achieved from their original vows, so as to pull out from all beings the hindrances of the karma which bind them, to the blessing and joy of those who live in the formal period of Buddhism. Now listen well and bear in mind to what I shall tell you." Manjushri said: "Very well, we are happy that such is your wish. We are glad to listen." Then the Buddha said to Manjushri: "Eastward from here, beyond Buddha-land about ten times as numerous as the sands of the Ganga, there is a world called ¡®The Pure Crystal Realm¡¯, the Paradise of Yao Shih. Its Buddha has a few titles, such as The Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, The Arhat of Perfect Knowledge, The Prefect Mind and Deed, The Well Departed Sugata, The Knower of the World, The Peerless Nobleman, The Man Who Brings The Passions of Men Under Control, The Teacher of Devas And Men, The Buddha, and Bhagavan. At the time when that World-honoured Buddha of Medicine became a Bodhisattva, he made Twelve Great Vows to grant all beings with whatever they pray."
The first vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained unexcelled complete Enlightenment, my body should be shining like a brilliant light, throwing beams on infinite, and boundless, worlds, adorned with a retinue of thirty-two forms of the Great Men and with eighty physical characteristics of the Buddha, I shall make all beings wholly equal to me.¡¯
The second vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, my body should be like a crystal in spotless purity both within and without, with splendorous radiant light, in the majesty of its virtue, sitting serenely, adorned with the aureole, brighter than the sun and the moon, I shall reveal my great power to all the beings in obscurity, in order that they may act freely according to their bent.¡¯
The third vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should grant by means of boundless wisdom, to all beings the inexhaustible things that they may need and that they may be free from any want.¡¯
The fourth vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect enlightenment, I should bring those who have gone the heterodox ways to dwell tranquilly in the way of Bodhi; and those who travel on the Vehicle of the Sramana and the Pratyekabuddha on the Vehicle of the Sramana and the Pratyekabuddha to stand firmly in the Great Vehicle of Bodhisattva.¡¯
The fifth vow. ¡®I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should enable the innumerable beings to observe all the moral laws to mend their ways to pure living, and to obey the three cumulative commandments. Should there be any relapse, or violation, they shall again become pure once they hear of my name, then they shall not fall into evil existences.¡¯
The sixth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, those beings who are physically inferior, with imperfect senses, such as, the ugly, stupid, blind, deaf, mute, crippled, paralysed, hump-backed, leprous, lunatic, or sick in many respects, shall all of them, when they hear my name, regain their normal appearances and become intelligent. All their senses shall be perfectly restored, and they shall not suffer from diseases.'
The seventh vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, those who are tormented by diseases, who have nobody to whom they can seek for help, without a refuge, without a doctor, without medicine, without relatives, without a home; these poor and miserable beings shall all of them be free from diseases and troubles, and shall enjoy perfect health of body and mind, once my name reaches their ears. They shall have families, friends and properties a-plenty, and shall all be brought to the supreme Enlightenment of Buddha.'
The eighth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, women who are tormented by the hundred of sufferings of the female sex, who are much wearied of life and long to make bodily sacrifice, shall all of them, when they hear my name, be transformed into men instead of women, in the next re-birth, they shall get the form of manhood and shall in the end attain the supreme Enlightenment of Buddha.'
The ninth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should let all being to escape the evil nets of Mara, to be free from other non-Buddhist cults. If they should have fallen into the dense forest of false doctrines, I should assist and lead them to the noble truths, and gradually induce them to lead the life of a Bodhisattva and soon they shall attain supreme Enlightenment of Buddha.'
The tenth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should bring it to pass that all those who are recorded and condemned by the royal law to be bound and whipped, to be enchained in prisons, to be sentenced to capital punishment, too meet numerous other disasters and insult, to be afflicted with sorrow and anguish, to be troubled both in body and in mind, shall, when they hear of my name, escape evil kalpas through the awe-inspiring majesty of my blessedness and virtue.'
The eleventh vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, I should bring it to pass that all beings who are tormented by hunger and thirst and who, in order to obtain drink and food, if they can carefully remember my name and cherish it, then I should let them taste the flavour of the Dharma, and eventually lead a tranquil and happy life.'
The twelfth vow. 'I vow that, after my reincarnation and having attained Perfect Enlightenment, all beings who are poor and naked, tormented day and night by mosquitoes and wasps, by cold and heat, when they hear my name and carefully remember and cherish it, shall receive the wonderful garments of all kinds, as well as valuable ornaments, chaplets of fragrant flower; and various kinds of instrumental music shall resound. Whatever they dream of, they shall have in abundance.'
"Manjushri, these are the twelve wonderful sublime vows made by the World's Most Venerable Buddha, of Medicine when he was a Bodhisattva."
"Now Manjushri! when the Buddha Medicine as a Bodhisattva, made his vows the stern virtues of them have reached the Buddhaland; if I should speak kalpa after kalpa about these virtues I could not mention all of them. Verily, this Buddhaland is eternally pure, it has no women, nor has it any evil influences, and no screams of pain are heard there. The ground is of lapis lazuli, golden cords set bounds to the ways of this land, the walls, towers, castles, halls, verandas, and bird nets are made of seven precious things. In all aspects it is equal to the Western Paradise. There is no difference between the two. There are two Great Bodhisattvas in this country: the name of one is Radiance of the Sun; that of the other, Radiance of the Moon. They are the chiefs of a host of Bodhisattvas. They represent the Buddha. They guard the treasury of the right doctrine of the Buddha of Medicine. Therefore, Manjushri, all good men and women who have confidence in faith should wish to be born in the world of Buddha."
Then the Buddha spoke further on to the disciple Manjushri and said: "Manjushri, there are those who do not distinguish good from evil. They indulge incessantly in greed and avarice. They do not know what alms-giving is, and what the effect of such a deed will be. They are idiots. They have no faith. They accumulate riches, and guard them carefully. When they see a beggar, they are not glad in heart. When they have to bestow a charity, it is like cutting a piece of flesh from the body. A deep and painful regret ensues. There are other innumerable greedy and stingy beings who gather money but do not use it even for themselves, so how could you expect them to give it to their parents, wives, children, servants, or beggar? These beings, after their death, shall be reborn as hungry ghost or as animals. Now, it may happen that, as men in a former incarnation, they had by chance heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine. Now, it may happen that, as men in a former incarnation, they had by chance heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine. Now in the evil incarnation the name of that Tathagata accidentally recurs to their mind. Then when they remember him, they suddenly disappear and again be transformed into men. There they remember their former life, they are afraid of the sufferings of the bad incarnation. They do not rejoice at worldly pleasures. They gladly practice charity, and they praise the giver. They are no longer greedy and do not regret the alms given by themselves. Yes, in time they are able to bestow upon the one who asks them even for their head, eye, hand, foot, blood, flesh, and other parts of their body, to say nothing of their money and property!"
"Furthermore, Manjushri, there are beings who, though having learned everything point and point from the Tathagata, trespass against the Commandments. There are others who, though not trespassing against the Commandments, trespass against the minor rules. Others who, though neither trespassing against the Commandments nor against the minor rules, have not got the right views. Still Others who, though having the proper ideas, neglect to learn, and thus they are unable to understand the deep meaning of the Sutras taught by the Buddha. Others are studious but proud. Because their hearts are be-clouded with pride, so they think highly of themselves and think little of others. They criticise the correct doctrine of the Buddha and become the companions of Mara. These fools are not only themselves erring, but they also dig pitfalls for millions of others. They then do evil and are incessantly reborn into hells, as animals or as hungry ghosts."
"It may occur that they then heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine, they may turn from their wickedness, they may follow the right teaching, and they do not fall into evil destinies any more. But if there should be any among them who are unable to turn from wickedness, who do not follow the right teaching, and who fall into evil destinies as a consequence, then, they still have the chance to become men in the next re-birth in case that, through the magic power of the vows of this Tathagata, they are able to hear his name chanted just for a moment. If they take heart to follow the right doctrine and curb their lust, they will be enabled to leave their homes and to become monks. They cling implicitly to the teaching of the Tathagata, swerve no more from it, and from the right principles and learn more, then they will understand the profound meanings. Far from being haughty, they do not criticise the right teaching, do not become companions of Mara. Gradually they will enter the way of Bodhisattvas and will soon attain perfect enlightenment."
"Furthermore, Manjushri, there are beings who are avaricious and envious. They praise themselves and depreciate others. For this reason, they fall into the three evil destinies. During innumerable millenniums they suffer misery, after their death they will be reborn among men but as oxen, horses, camels or donkeys. They will be tormented constantly by whip, by hunger, and by thirst; they must carry heavy loads on their backs and walk long ways. Even if they were reborn as human beings, they will be reborn in a poor hut, and when they grow up they will become man-servants and maid-servants. They will be ordered around by other people and will never be their own bosses. When such beings, in a former incarnation, heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine, they will now be save by Him. If they remember him and whole-heartedly have recourse to the Buddha, all their sufferings will be removed through His majestic power. Their senses will be sharpened. They will become wise and they would like to listen and become learned. They will strive solely for the sublime teaching; they will hold social intercourse with friends who will lead them to the good deeds. They will cut all nets of Mara. They will pierce the veil of ignorance. They will let the stream of suffering flow off and be released from pains of birth, old age, sickness, death, and all the worries and miseries."
"Still, Manjushri, there are beings who like to do that which is repugnant to others, who like to quarrel and cause displeasure both to themselves and to others. By deeds, words and thoughts, they create all sorts of bad karma. They constantly do harm to each other, they hatch plans to injure one another. They pray to the spirits of the mountains, trees and tombs. They kill living things, take their bleeding flesh, and offer it to the Yaksas and Rakshasas. They write down the name of their enemy, make a picture of him, and, by the use of sorcery, they curse over it. They use black magic and poison. They conjure up a ghost from corpse. This puts an end to the life of the enemy and destroys his body."
"When, by chance, these beings hear of the name of the Buddhas of Medicine, then all these evil things will lose power to harm them. They learn to have compassion on each other. They wish to be of service, they wish to make each other happy. They renounce malice and the impulse to create suffering. Everyone rejoices. Being contented with the property he owns, he does not covet that of others. They are helpful to each other."
"Furthermore, Manjushri, there are four groups in our community: the monk, the nuns, the male devotees, and the female devotees. There are other pious men and women, who believe and observe the first eight of the Ten Commandments. They observe all points from three months to a year. Because of this good seed they have planted, they expect to be reborn in the Western Paradise where the Buddha Amitayus dwells. But, though they hear the correct doctrine of the Buddha, they can not discern and put enough trust in it. When they hear the name of the Buddha of Medicine at the time of their death, then there will be eight Bodhisattvas who, with magic powers, will traverse the intervening space to come to show them their ways, and amidst the colourful flowers of that world, they will be born there by transformation."
"Sometimes they are also born in the Heaven. Though they are born in Heaven, the original good roots are still there, they will not fall into evil destinies again. When their life in Heaven is ended, they will again become men. Or they may become supreme rulers, governing the four inhabited continents of the Universe, and rule in independent majesty."
"Innumerable beings are established in the excellent Karma resulting from the practice of the Ten Commandments. Some are born as Kshatriyas or as Brahmins, some as lay-disciples, some born in a large family. They abound in riches, with their treasuries and granaries overflowing. Their appearance are awe-inspiring. They have enough relatives and kinsmen, they are clever and they gain in wisdom. They are as strong and brave as the most powerful. If it is a woman who heard the name of the Buddha of Medicine, and if she whole-heartedly cherishes it, she shall never again become a woman in the next re-birth."
"Then, Manjushri, when the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, had attained perfect Enlightenment, to become the Buddha of Medicine, he saw by virtue of his vows, that the beings were suffering from all sorts of diseases, such as tuberculosis, bilious fever, or that they were affected by a spell or by poison, or that some were by their nature short-lived, or that some have died a violent death. He wish to fulfil all their desires by putting an end to all these diseases and miseries. Therefore the World's Most Venerable entered into a Samadhi called the Removal of Suffering for All Beings. While He was in this contemplation a great radiance of light of light was sent forth from his Ushnisa, and he pronounced the great Dharani as follows:
"NAMO BHAGAVATE BHAISAJAYA-GURU-VAIDURYA-PRABHA-RAJAYA
TATHAGATAYA ARHATE SAMYAKSAMBUDDHAYA TADYATHA OM
BHAISAJYE BHAISAJYE BHAISAJYA SAMUDGATE SVAHA"
When He, in his radiance, had spoken this mystical formula, the earth was shaken and emitted a great light. All beings were delivered from their diseases and miseries, they are now happy because their bodies and minds are at rest.
"Manjushri, if you see a pious man or woman who suffers from a disease, you shall do the following whole-heartedly for those sick people: let them keep clean by taking frequently baths and rinse their mouths, give them food, medicine and clean water, and recite the Dharani for a hundred and eight times, then all diseases will disappear entirely. When one of them has a particular wish, he shall concentrate and recite the magic formula. Then he will fulfil all he wishes, he will be without disease, and will live longer. After his death, he will born in paradise without having to return to this world, and will in the end attain perfect Enlightenment. Therefore, Manjushri, if there is a pious man or woman who very seriously prays to the Buddha of Medicine and, he or she must always keep in mind this magic formula and never forget it."
"Still more, Manjushri, there may be a pious man or woman who hears the name of the Buddha of Medicine and repeats it and fosters it, he chews the Dantakastha (a stick for cleaning the teeth) in the morning, takes bath and rinses his mouth, until he is quite clean. He then prays with incense and flowers, he burns the incense and rubs the body with perfume, sings the Sutra and proffers offerings before the image of the Buddha. He copies the Sutra or has it copied, learns it by heart, has it explained to him. He makes offerings to his Buddhist teacher and gives alms generously and not let him be in want of anything. Then all the Buddhas will protect him and keep him in mind. His prayers will be granted, he will eventually attain perfect Enlightenment."
Then the disciple Manjushri saluted the Buddha and said: "World honoured, I swear that I will pray Buddha-truth, I shall cause, by many means, all male and female devotees to hear the names of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, I shall shout the names of the Buddha into their ears even in their sleep. World honoured, when someone learns this Sutra by heart and reads, proclaims and expounds it to other people, copies it himself, or has it copied, makes offerings reverently and seriously with various fragrant flowers, perfumed unguents, sandal-powder and burning incense, with garlands, strings of pearls, flags and music; he also makes bags of five-coloured silk and puts Sutra into them, sweeps clean a place, displays the bags the bags on a high table that they may lie there in readiness, then the four great Kings of Heaven with their retinue and the other innumerable hundreds and thousands of celestial hosts will come to make offerings and to protect the Sutra. World-honoured, where the treasures of this Sutra flow out and can be received through the blessing of the Vow of this World honoured Buddha of Medicine, and his name can be heard, then they will know that no violent death will ever occur at that place, and nobody¡¯s spirit will ever be seized by evil demons and evil spirits. And if it has already been wrested from him, he can still restore it as he was before, he will have peace both in Body and mind."
Then the Buddha said to Manjushri: "So it is, so it is! It is exactly as you say, Manjushri, if a devout man or woman who wishes to make an offering to this world honoured Buddha of Medicine, he or she must first make an image of this Buddha, prepare a clean place to erect it, strew various flowers, burn all sorts of incense, adorn the place with curtains and flags, for seven days and seven nights, keep the eight prohibitory commands, eat clean food, take baths so that one may have a clean odour, put on clean clothes, free the mind from dirty, angry and malicious thoughts, wish to be of service to others, and try to bring happiness to everybody. One should be full of compassion, glad to give alms, and sympathetic to every one. Thus cleansed, he should go around the Buddha image to the right, and sing the hymns with drum music. Moreover, he must remember the blessing of the Vows of Tathagata, read aloud this Sutra, meditate upon its meaning, recite and explain it. What he wishes for will all be fulfilled. If he wishes for wealth, he will become rich. If he wishes to become an official, he will become an official. if he wishes to have a son or a daughter, he will get a son or a daughter. When he has a bad dream, sees evil omens, sees strange birds flocking together, or has his room filled with strange apparitions, if this man, will all the sacred implements worships and make offerings, then the World honoured Buddha of Medicine will bring it to pass that the bad dreams and the bad omens which prophecy ill luck will vanish completely and will do him no harm. He will be protected from the dangers of water, fire, sword, poison, elephants, lions, tigers, wolves, bears, snakes, scorpions, millipedes, mosquitoes, gnats and other frightful and unpleasant things if he whole-heartedly remembers the Buddha, worships Him , then all troubles will vanish."
Furthermore, Manjushri, in case there is a pious man or woman who does not care for other gods during his or her whole life and whose only thought is to become a Buddhist disciple, and who observes either five or ten of the Commandments, or the four hundred commandments of the Bodhisattva, the two hundred and fifty of the monk, or the five hundred of the nun, and who fears he may relapse into sin and fall into evil destinies; if he or she can only recite the name of the Buddha, worships Him and makes offerings to Him, he and she will certainly not suffer from the three paths of transmigration - the hells, hungry ghost and animals."
"A woman may suffer from great pain while giving birth. If she can whole-heartedly worship the Buddha of Medicine and to invoke the name Tathagata, worship Him and make offerings to Him, all pain will vanish, the newly born baby will have a sound and healthy body; whoever sees him will rejoice at his being so clever, so strong and healthy; and no demon comes to rob him of his vitality."
Then the Buddha spoke to Ananda: "If I praise the virtues of the Buddha of Medicine and let you know that the actions of the Buddha have an occult meaning that it is difficult to understand. Can you believe me?"
Ananda said: "Virtuous World honoured One, I have no doubt in my belief about the Sutras of Tathagata. My reason for this belief is that the karma of Tathagatas, formed through deeds, words and thoughts, is perfectly pure. World-honoured, the disc of this sun and moon may be torn down, the inconceivable high Sumeru mountain may be shaken, but the words of the Buddhas will never change. World-honoured, the beings whose faith is as yet insufficient may question the occult meaning of the Buddha¡¯s acts. They think: How is it possible that, by only remembering the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, we can reap so many blessings? Then they do not believe, nay, they challenge. Such people forfeit their blessing and joy over one long night, they fall into evil existences and drift eternally in the stream of miserable life."
Then Buddha told Ananda: "When all these beings hear the name of the World-honoured Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata and cherish it whole-heartedly, and have no more doubts, then it is impossible for them to fall into evil destinies again. Those who have fallen into evil destinies, they have done no good deeds. Ananda, this is the occult meaning of the acts of the Tathagatas; it is hard to believe! You can conceive of it now, and so you know that all that I have told you has its root in the power of the Tathagatas. Ananda, all Shramanas and Pratyekabuddhas, and the Bodhisattvas who have not yet reached the ten stages, are unable to believe the full truth and to expound it, only the Bodhisattva who has only one life that binds him can do it. Ananda, it is difficult to get a human body. It is also difficult to have faith in the Triple Gems, to believe and to revere them. But it is still more difficult to hear the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata. Ananda, the Bodhisattva deeds of the Buddha of Medicine, his skilful means to convert the beings, and his far reaching vows are innumerable. If I should expound them in great detail, I could speak kalpa after kalpa and even longer, the kalpas would soon be exhausted, but the deeds, the vows, and the skilful means of the Buddha would not be exhausted."
There was, at that time, a great Bodhisattva in the community. His name was Seeker of Salvation. He stood up from his seat, bared his right shoulder, touched the earth with his right knee, bowed with the palms of his hands joined together, and said to the Buddha: "Virtuous World honoured, in the decline of the formal period there shall be beings who are exhausted by many misfortunes, they are thin in consequence of long illness. Such a being can neither eat nor drink, his lips and throat are dry. Everything he sees is dark. The signs of death are presently manifest. His parents, family, relatives and friends stand around him weeping. His body lies on the bed, he sees the messengers of Yama leading his spirit to the judge. Verily, all beings have a spirit which originates with them. Everything they have done, be it good or bad, was in the record. Everything was kept with judge Yama. Just at that time, this judge questions the man. He sums up his deeds. He assigns him his place according to the proportion of his good and bad deeds. If at that time the relatives and friends of this sick man could make him believe in the Buddha of Medicine and ask the monks to recite this Sutra, light a seven-layer lantern, hang up either consciousness may returns after seven, twenty-one, thirty-five, or forty-nine days. At that time when he returns consciousness, he feels like awakened from a dream, he remembers the award he has received for his good or bad deeds. For he has himself been a witness of the reward of his deeds."
"He remembers this throughout his life¡¯s hardships, he no longer commits any evil deed. Therefore men and women who are firm in their faith cherish the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, worship Him and make offerings to Him with what they can."
At that time, Ananda asked the Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation: "Pious man, how shall we worship the Buddha of Medicine and make offerings to Him? What are the significances of the banners and the lanterns?"
The Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation said: "Virtuous One, for the sick people whom one wishes to free from their sufferings, it is necessary to keep the eight prohibitory commands during seven days and nights, and to make offerings of food and drink and other things, according to one¡¯s capability, to the congregation of monks; to perform worship according to the ritual, for six times day and night and have offerings made to the Buddha of Medicine; to recite this Sutra forty-nine times, to light up forty-nine lamps, to have seven image of the Tathagata made, to have seven lamps put infront of each image, the flame of each lamp may illuminate a cartwheel. For forty-nine days these lamps must be kept burning unceasingly. Hang up five-coloured banners, forty-nine spans long, and set free various kinds of animals to the number of forty-nine. In this way, the sick people are made to overcome the danger of being violently killed by evil spirits."
"Furthermore, Ananda, in case of a Kshatriya or an Abhisecana or King at a time when calamity arises, such as pestilence among the population, invasion by foreign countries, revolution in his own country, ominous displacement in a constellation, eclipse or the sun or the moon, wind and rain out season or drought through no rain, this Kshatriya or Abhisecana King must then have pity on all beings, set all captives free, perform the above mentioned ceremonies of offering, and make offerings to the Virtuous Buddha of Medicine. As a consequence of these good deeds and the power of original vow of Tathagata, he will bring about the result that his country will be delivered, that wind and rain will come in good time, and will let the crops ripe, that the people will be happy without sickness, that no cruel Yaksha in his country will torment the people, and that all evil omens will at once disappear. And the Kshatriya¡¯s or Abhisecana King¡¯s life, material appearance, vitality, and sickless independence will all be benefited. Ananda, if the Queen, the wives of the princes, the crown-prince, the princes, the ministers, the court councillors, the ladies of the palace, the provincial officials or the common people suffering from diseases, or if another calamity occurs, he shall also hang up five-coloured banners for warding off all the evil spirits, light lamps and keep them burning, set animals free, strew many coloured flowers, burn precious incense, then the diseases will be cured and all afflictions will vanish."
Then Ananda asked the Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation: "Pious man, how can a life that has come to an end be prolonged?"
The Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation said: "Virtuous One, did you hear that the Tathagatas say that there are nine kinds of violent deaths? Therefore, I exhort you to hang up the life prolonging banner, to light up the lamps, and to perform the pious deeds. By performing the pious deeds, one¡¯s life come to a natural end without suffering from any painful experience."
Ananda asked: "what are the nine kinds of violent deaths?"
The Bodhisattva Seeker of Salvation said: "The nine violent deaths are;
(1) There are beings who become sick. Though the sickness is not serious but there is neither medicine nor a doctor for the treatment. In case they take the wrong medicine, they may meet violent death which can very well be avoided. Some trust in Maras and Heretics, or masters of magical and bewitching powers. From a frivolous prediction of good or bad luck, fear and uneasiness arises. Those people whose own heart cannot clearly discern, question fortune-tellers whether misfortunes awaits them. Some kill living beings for a sacrifice in order to propitiate the spirits. Some call out to the evil spirits and ask for protection, they wish to prolong their lives, but all to no avail. They are ignorant of the right way. They believe in heterodox views, not recognising the doctrine of moral karma. This leads in the end to a violent death. They enter into hell and can never get out of it. This is the first violent death.
(2) Some are violently executed by order of the law.
(3) Some hunt for pleasure, lead and unrestrained life with women and wine, and dissipated without halt and limit. Then the fiends come and violently snatch their spiritual vigour.
(4) Some come to a violent end by being burnt by fire.
(5) Some come to a violent end by being drowned.
(6) Some come to a violent end by being devoured by wild beasts.
(7) Some come to a violent end by falling from a steep cliff.
(8) Some come to a violent end by being destroyed by poison, by image spell Vetala, by spoken-spell Dharani, or by demonical influence to resurrect a corpse and cause it kill another person.
(9) Some suffer hunger and thirst, do not get anything to eat or drink and thus die an untimely death.
"These are what Tathagata briefly named as the nine kinds of violent deaths. Besides, there are innumerable other kinds which cannot all be told here."
"In addition, Ananda, the judge Yama keeps a complete list, with the deeds of each inhabitant on earth recorded, if any of the beings are not filial and commit the five mortal sins, revile the Triple Gems, infringe the laws of the country, and violate the natural moral laws, then the judge Yama examines, whether their sins were grave or light, and punishes them accordingly."
"Therefore I now ask all beings to light up the lamps and hang up the banners, to set free the animals, and to do good deeds, so that misery and grief can be overcome and the life¡¯ hardships can be avoided." At that time, there were twelve Yaksha spiritual generals in the assembly, viz:
General Kumbhira,
General Vajra,
General Mihira,
General Andira,
General Majira,
General Shandira,
General Indra,
General Pajra,
General Makura,
General Sindura,
General Catura,
General Vikarala.
These twelve Yaksha Generals, each having seven thousand Yakshas in his retinue, raised their voices, simultaneously and saluted the Buddha by saying: "World¡¯s Most Venerable, we have experienced today the wondrous power of the Buddha by permitting us to hear the name of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, we have no further fear of the evil destinies. All of us are of one mind, that is as long as this form lasts, we shall have recourse to Buddhist Trinity. We swear to bear the responsibility to let all beings be benefited by the path of truth and to let them be abound with happiness. Wherever it may be - in villages, cities, capitals, or even in unfrequented forests, when any one preaches this Sutra and cherishes the names of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, worships Him and makes Him offerings, we and our retinues shall guard and protect him, deliver him completely from all distress, fulfil all his wishes. When he falls ill and calls for help, he should also read this Sutra, take a five-coloured skein and tie it into knots, forming the letters of our names, and untie the knots when his wishes are fulfilled."
At that time, the World¡¯s Most Venerable praised the Yaksha Generals and said: "Excellent, excellent, Great Yaksha Generals! If you want to return the favour of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata, you must always be of service to all beings and make them happy."
Then Ananda saluted the Buddha and said: "World¡¯s Most Venerable! What is this revelation called? By what name shall we cherish it?"
Then Buddha said to Ananda: "This revelation is called: ¡®The Blessing of the Original Vow of the Master of Healing, Azure Radiance Tathagata¡¯. It is also called: ¡®The scared formula¡¯ which tells how the twelve Yaksha spiritual generals vowed to be useful to all beings. A third name is called ¡®The Removal of All Karmic Hindrances¡¯. So you shall bear in mind."
When Bhagavan was preaching these words, all the Great Bodhisattvas and the Great Sramanas, the kings and the great ministers, the Brahmins, the Upasakas the gods, the dragons, the Yaksas, Gandharvas, Asuras, Garudas, Kinnaras, Mahoragas, human and non-human beings, all others in the assembly heard the words of the Buddha. All of them greatly rejoiced, accepted the belief and promised to keep it faithfully.
- wong chee tat :)
【药师琉璃光如来本愿功德经】
【药师琉璃光如来本愿功德经】
大唐三藏法师玄奘奉 诏译
如是我闻。一时薄伽梵游化诸国至广严城住乐音树下。与大苾刍众八千人俱。菩萨摩诃萨三万六千。及国王大臣婆罗门居士。天龙药叉人非人等。无量大众恭敬围绕而为说法尔时曼殊室利法王子。承佛威神从座而起偏袒一肩右膝着地。向薄伽梵曲躬合掌白言。世尊。惟愿演说如是相类诸佛名号及本大愿殊胜功德。令诸闻者业障销除。为欲利乐像法转时诸有情故
尔时世尊赞曼殊室利童子言。善哉善哉曼殊室利。汝以大悲劝请我说诸佛名号本愿功德。为拔业障所缠有情。利益安乐像法转时诸有情故。汝今谛听极善思惟。当为汝说。
曼殊室利言。唯然愿说。我等乐闻。
佛告曼殊室利。东方去此过十殑伽沙等佛土。有世界名净琉璃。佛号药师琉璃光如来应正等觉明行圆满善逝世间解无上士调御丈夫天人师佛薄伽梵。曼殊室利。彼佛世尊药师琉璃光如来。本行菩萨道时发十二大愿。令诸有情所求皆得
第一大愿。愿我来世得阿耨多罗三藐三菩提时。自身光明炽然。照曜无量无数无边世界。以三十二大丈夫相八十随好庄严其身。令一切有情如我无异
第二大愿。愿我来世得菩提时。身如琉璃内外明彻净无瑕秽。光明广大功德巍巍。身善安住焰网庄严过于日月。幽冥众生悉蒙开晓。随意所趣作诸事业
第三大愿。愿我来世得菩提时。以无量无边智慧方便。令诸有情皆得无尽。所受用物。莫令众生有所乏少
第四大愿。愿我来世得菩提时。若诸有情行邪道者。悉令安住菩提道中。若行声闻独觉乘者。皆以大乘而安立之
第五大愿。愿我来世得菩提时。若有无量无边有情。于我法中修行梵行。一切皆令得不缺戒具三聚戒。设有毁犯闻我名已。还得清净不堕恶趣
第六大愿。愿我来世得菩提时。若诸有情。其身下劣诸根不具。丑陋顽愚盲聋喑哑挛躄背偻白癞癫狂种种病苦。闻我名已一切皆得端正黠慧。诸根完具无诸疾苦
第七大愿。愿我来世得菩提时。若诸有情。众病逼切无救无归无医无药无亲无家贫穷多苦。我之名号一经其耳。众病悉得除身心安乐。家属资具悉皆丰足。乃至证得无上菩提
第八大愿。愿我来世得菩提时。若有女人。为女百恶之所逼恼。极生厌离愿舍女身。闻我名已一切皆得转女成男具丈夫相。乃至证得无上菩提
第九大愿。愿我来世得菩提时。令诸有情。出魔罥网。解脱一切外道缠缚。若堕种种恶见稠林。皆当引摄置于正见。渐令修习诸菩萨行速证无上正等菩提
第十大愿。愿我来世得菩提时。若诸有情。王法所录。缧缚鞭挞系闭牢狱或当刑戮。及余无量灾难凌辱悲愁煎迫。身心受苦。若闻我名。以我福德威神力故。皆得解脱一切忧苦
第十一大愿。愿我来世得菩提时。若诸有情。饥渴所恼。为求食故造诸恶业。得闻我名专念受持。我当先以上妙饮食饱足其身。后以法味。毕竟安乐而建立之
第十二大愿。愿我来世得菩提时。若诸有情。贫无衣服。蚊虻寒热昼夜逼恼。若闻我名专念受持。如其所好即得种种上妙衣服。亦得一切宝庄严具华鬘涂香鼓乐众伎。随心所玩皆令满足
曼殊室利。是为彼世尊药师琉璃光如来应正等觉行菩萨道时所发十二微妙上愿
复次曼殊室利。彼世尊药师琉璃光如来行菩萨道时。所发大愿及彼佛土功德庄严。我若一劫若一劫余说不能尽。然彼佛土一向清净无有女人。亦无恶趣及苦音声。琉璃为地。金绳界道。城阙宫阁轩窗罗网皆七宝成。亦如西方极乐世界。功德庄严等无差别。
于其国中有二菩萨摩诃萨。一名日光遍照。二名月光遍照。是彼无量无数菩萨众之上首。悉能持彼世尊药师琉璃光如来正法宝藏。是故曼殊室利诸有信心善男子善女人等。应当愿生彼佛世界
尔时世尊复告曼殊师利童子言。曼殊室利。有诸众生。不识善恶唯怀贪吝。不知布施及施果报。愚痴无智阙于信根。多聚财宝勤加守护。见乞者来其心不喜。设不获已而行施时。如割身肉深生痛惜。复有无量悭贪有情。积集资财。于其自身尚不受用。何况能与父母妻子奴婢作使及来乞者。彼诸有情从此命终。生饿鬼界或傍生趣。由昔人间曾得暂闻药师琉璃光如来名故。念在恶趣。暂得忆念彼如来名。即于念时从彼处没还生人中。得宿命念畏恶趣苦不乐欲乐。好行惠施赞叹施者。一切所有悉无贪惜。渐次尚能以头目手足血肉身分施来求者。况余财物
复次曼殊室利。若诸有情。虽于如来受诸学处。而破尸罗。有虽不破尸罗而破轨则。有于尸罗轨则虽得不坏然毁正见。有虽不毁正见而弃多闻于佛所说契经深义不能解了。有虽多闻而增上慢。由增上慢覆蔽心故。自是非他嫌谤正法为魔伴党。如是愚人自行邪见。复令无量俱胝有情堕大险坑。此诸有情。应于地狱傍生鬼趣流转无穷。若得闻此药师琉璃光如来名号。便舍恶行修诸善法。不堕恶趣。设有不能舍诸恶行修行善法。堕恶趣者。以彼如来本愿威力。令其现前暂闻名号。从彼命终还生人趣。得正见精进善调意乐。便能舍家趣于非家如来法中。受持学处无有毁犯。正见多闻解甚深义。离增上慢不谤正法。不为魔伴。渐次修行诸菩萨行速得圆满
复次曼殊室利。若诸有情悭贪嫉妒自赞毁他。当堕三恶趣中。无量千岁受诸剧苦。受剧苦已。从彼命终来生人间。作牛马驼驴。恒被鞭挞。饥渴逼恼。又常负重随路而行。或得为人生居下贱。作人奴婢受他驱役。恒不自在。若昔人中。曾闻世尊药师琉璃光如来名号。由此善因今复忆念至心归依以佛神力众苦解脱。诸根聪利智慧多闻。恒求胜法常遇善友。永断魔罥破无明[谷-禾+卵]。竭烦恼河解脱一切生老病死忧愁苦恼
复次曼殊室利。若诸有情好喜乖离更相斗讼恼乱自他。以身语意造作增长种种恶业。展转常为不饶益事。互相谋害。告召山林树冢等神。杀诸众生取其血肉祭祀药叉罗剎娑等。书怨人名作其形像以恶咒术而咒咀之。厌媚蛊道咒起尸鬼。令断彼命及坏其身。是诸有情若得闻此药师琉璃光如来名号彼诸恶事悉不能害。一切展转皆起慈心。利益安乐无损恼意及嫌恨心。各各欢悦于自所受生于喜足。不相侵凌互为饶益
复次曼殊室利。若有四众苾刍苾刍尼邬波索迦邬波斯迦。及余净信善男子善女人等。有能受持八分斋戒。或经一年或复三月受持学处。以此善根愿生西方极乐世界无量寿佛所。听闻正法而未定者。若闻世尊药师琉璃光如来名号。临命终时有八菩萨。乘神通来示其道路。即于彼界种种杂色众宝华中自然化生。
或有因此生于天上。虽生天中而本善根亦未穷尽。不复更生诸余恶趣。天上寿尽还生人间。或为轮王统摄四洲。威德自在安立无量百千有情于十善道。或生剎帝利婆罗门居士大家。多饶财宝仓库盈溢。形相端严眷属具足。聪明智慧。勇健威猛如大力士。若是女人得闻世尊药师如来名号至心受持。于后不复更受女身
复次，曼殊室利，彼药师琉璃光如来得菩提时，由本愿力，观诸有情，遇众病苦，瘦挛、干消、黄热等病；或被魇魅、蛊毒所中；或复短命，或时横死；欲令是等病苦消除，所求愿满。时彼世尊，入三摩地，名曰除灭一切众生苦恼。既入定已，于肉髻中，出大光明，光中演说大陀罗尼曰：那谟薄伽筏帝，鞞杀社窭(jú)噜，薛琉璃，钵喇（la）婆，喝罗（la）阇(shé)也，怛他(tuō)揭多耶，阿罗诃帝，三藐三勃陀耶。怛蛭他，唵，鞞杀逝，鞞杀逝，鞞杀社，三没揭帝莎诃。
而时光中，说此咒已，大地震动，放大光明，一切众生，病苦皆除，受安隐乐。曼殊室利，若见男子女人，有病苦者，应当一心，为彼病人，常清净澡漱，或食，或药，或无虫水，咒一百八遍，与彼服食，所有病苦，悉皆消灭。若有所求，至心念诵，皆得如是，无病延年；命终之后，生彼世界，得不退转，乃至菩提。是故曼殊室利！若有男子女人，于彼药师琉璃光如来，至心殷重，恭敬供养者，常持此咒。勿令废忘！
复次，曼殊室利，若有净信男子女人，得闻药师琉璃光如来应正等觉所有名号，闻已诵持，晨嚼齿木，澡漱清净，以诸香花，烧香涂香，作众伎乐，供养形象。于此经典，若自书，若教人书，一心受持，听闻其义。于彼法师，应修供养，一切所有资身之具，悉皆施与，勿令乏少。如是便蒙诸佛护念，所求愿满，乃至菩提。
尔时曼殊室利童子白佛言。世尊我当誓于像法转时。以种种方便。令诸净信善男子善女人等得闻世尊药师琉璃光如来名号。乃至睡中亦以佛名觉悟其耳。
世尊若于此经受持读诵。或复为他演说开示。若自书若教人书。恭敬尊重以种种花香涂香末香烧香花鬘璎珞幡盖伎乐而为供养。以五色彩作囊盛之。扫洒净处敷设高座而用安处。尔时四大天王与其眷属及余无量百千天众。皆诣其所供养守护。
世尊若此经宝流行之处。有能受持。以彼世尊药师琉璃光如来本愿功德及闻名号。当知是处无复横死。亦复不为诸恶鬼神夺其精气。设已夺者还得如故。身心安乐
佛告曼殊室利。如是如是如汝所说。曼殊室利。若有净信善男子善女人等。欲供养彼世尊药师琉璃光如来者。应先造立彼佛形像敷清净座而安处之。散种种花烧种种香。以种种幢幡庄严其处。七日七夜受持八分斋戒。食清净食澡浴香洁着新净衣。应生无垢浊心无怒害心。于一切有情起利益安乐慈悲喜舍平等之心。鼓乐歌赞右绕佛像。
复应念彼如来本愿功德读诵此经思惟其义演说开示。随所乐求一切皆遂。求长寿得长寿。求富饶得富饶。求官位得官位。求男女得男女。若复有人忽得恶梦。见诸恶相或怪鸟来集。
或于住处百怪出现。此人若以众妙资具。恭敬供养彼世尊药师琉璃光如来者。恶梦恶相诸不吉祥皆悉隐没不能为患。
或有水火刀毒悬崄恶象师子虎狼熊罴毒蛇恶蝎蜈蚣蚰蜓蚊虻等怖。若能至心忆念彼佛恭敬供养。一切怖畏皆得解脱。
若他国侵扰盗贼反乱。忆念恭敬彼如来者亦皆解脱
复次曼殊室利。若有净信善男子善女人等。乃至尽形不事余天。惟当一心归佛法僧受持禁戒。若五戒十戒菩萨四百戒苾刍二百五十戒苾刍尼五百戒。于所受中或有毁犯怖堕恶趣。若能专念彼佛名号恭敬供养者。必定不受三恶趣生。
或有女人临当产时受于极苦。若能至心称名礼赞恭敬供养彼如来者。众苦皆除。所生之子身分具足。形色端正见者欢喜。利根聪明安隐少病无有非人夺其精气
尔时世尊告阿难言。如我称扬彼佛世尊药师琉璃光如来所有功德。此是诸佛甚深行处难可解了。汝为信不。
阿难白言。大德世尊。我于如来所说契经不生疑惑。所以者何。一切如来身语意业无不清净。
世尊。此日月轮可令堕落妙高山王可使倾动。诸佛所言无有异也。
世尊。有诸众生信根不具。闻说诸佛甚深行处。作是思惟。云何但念药师琉璃光如来一佛名号便获尔所功德胜利。由此不信反生诽谤。彼于长夜失大利乐堕诸恶趣流转无穷。
佛告阿难。是诸有情。若闻世尊药师琉璃光如来名号。至心受持不生疑惑。堕恶趣者无有是处。
阿难。此是诸佛甚深所行难可信解。汝今能受。当知皆是如来威力。
阿难。一切声闻独觉及未登地诸菩萨等。皆悉不能如实信解。惟除一生所系菩萨。
阿难。人身难得。于三宝中信敬尊重亦难可得。得闻世尊药师琉璃光如来名号复难于是。阿难。彼药师琉璃光如来无量菩萨行。无量善巧方便。无量广大愿。我若一劫若一劫余而广说者。劫可速尽。彼佛行愿善巧方便无有尽也
尔时众中有一菩萨摩诃萨。名曰救脱。即从座起偏袒右肩。右膝着地曲躬合掌。而白佛言。大德世尊。像法转时。有诸众生。为种种患之所困厄。长病羸瘦不能饮食。喉唇干燥见诸方暗。死相现前。父母亲属朋友知识啼泣围绕。然彼自身卧在本处。见琰魔使引其神识至于琰魔法王之前。然诸有情有俱生神。随其所作若罪若福皆具书之。尽持授与琰魔法王。
尔时彼王推问其人。算计所作随其罪福而处断之。时彼病人亲属知识。若能为彼归依世尊药师琉璃光如来。请诸众僧转读此经。然七层之灯悬五色续命神幡。或有是处彼识得还。如在梦中明了自见。或经七日或二十一日或三十五日或四十九日。彼识还时。如从梦觉皆自忆知善不善业所得果报。由自证见业果报故。乃至命难亦不造作诸恶之业。是故净信善男子善女人等。皆应受持药师琉璃光如来名号。随力所能恭敬供养
尔时阿难问救脱菩萨曰。善男子。应云何恭敬供养彼世尊药师琉璃光如来。续命幡灯复云何造。
救脱菩萨言。大德。若有病人欲脱病苦。当为其人。七日七夜受持八分斋戒。应以饮食及余资具。随力所办供养苾刍僧。昼夜六时礼拜供养彼世尊药师琉璃光如来。读诵此经四十九遍。然四十九灯。造彼如来形像七躯。一一像前各置七灯。一一灯量大如车轮。乃至四十九日光明不绝。造五色彩幡长四十九[打-丁+ 桀]手。应放杂类众生至四十九。可得过度危厄之难。不为诸横恶鬼所持
复次阿难。若剎帝利灌顶王等。灾难起时。所谓人众疾疫难。他国侵逼难。自界叛逆难。星宿变怪难。日月薄蚀难。非时风雨难。过时不雨难。彼剎帝利灌顶王等。尔时应于一切有情起慈悲心赦诸系闭依前所说供养之法供养彼世尊药师琉璃光如来。由此善根及彼如来本愿力故。令其国界即得安隐。风雨顺时谷稼成熟。一切有情无病欢乐。于其国中。无有暴虐药叉等神恼有情者。一切恶相皆即隐没。而剎帝利灌顶王等。寿命色力无病自在皆得增益。阿难若帝后妃主储君王子大臣辅相中宫釆女百官黎庶。为病所苦及余厄难。亦应造立五色神旛然灯续明。放诸生命。散杂色华烧众名香。病得除愈众难解脱
尔时阿难问救脱菩萨言。善男子。云何已尽之命而可增益。
救脱菩萨言。大德。汝岂不闻如来说有九横死耶。是故劝造续命幡灯修诸福德。以修福故尽其寿命不经苦患。
阿难问言。九横云何。
救脱菩萨言。有诸有情。得病虽轻然无医药及看病者。设复遇医授以非药。实不应死而便横死。又信世间邪魔外道妖[萨/女]之师。妄说祸福便生恐动。心不自正卜问觅祸。杀种种众生解奏神明呼诸魍魉请乞福佑欲冀延年。终不能得。愚痴迷惑信邪倒见。遂令横死入于地狱无有出期。是名初横。
二者横被王法之所诛戮。
三者畋猎嬉戏。耽淫嗜酒放逸无度。横为非人夺其精气。
四者横为火焚。
五者横为水溺。
六者横为种种恶兽所啖。
七者横堕山崖。
八者横为毒药厌祷咒咀起尸鬼等之所中害。
九者饥渴所困不得饮食而便横死。
是为如来略说横死有此九种。其余复有无量诸横难可具说
复次阿难。彼琰魔王主领世间名籍之记。若诸有情不孝五逆破辱三宝坏君臣法毁于性戒。琰魔法王随罪轻重考而罚之。是故我今劝诸有情然灯造幡放生修福。令度苦厄不遭众难
尔时众中有十二药叉大将俱在会坐。所谓
宫毗罗大将 伐折罗大将
迷企罗大将 安底罗大将
頞[仁-二+尔]罗大将 珊底罗大将
因达罗大将 波夷罗大将
摩虎罗大将 真达罗大将
招杜罗大将 毗羯罗大将
此十二药叉大将。一一各有七千药叉以为眷属。同时举声白佛言。世尊。我等今者蒙佛威力。得闻世尊药师琉璃光如来名号。不复更有恶趣之怖。我等相率皆同一心。乃至尽形归佛法僧。誓当荷负一切有情为作义利饶益安乐。随于何等村城国邑空闲林中。若有流布此经或复受持药师琉璃光如来名号恭敬供养者。我等眷属卫护是人。皆使解脱一切苦难。诸有愿求悉令满足。或有疾厄求度脱者。亦应读诵此经以五色缕结我名字得如愿已然后解结
尔时世尊赞诸药叉大将言。善哉善哉大药叉将。汝等念报世尊药师琉璃光如来恩德者。常应如是利益安乐一切有情
尔时阿难白佛言。世尊。当何名此法门我等云何奉持。佛告阿难。此法门名说药师琉璃光如来本愿功德。亦名说十二神将饶益有情结愿神咒。亦名拔除一切业障。应如是持。
时薄伽梵说是语已。诸菩萨摩诃萨及大声闻。国王大臣婆罗门居士。天龙药叉揵达缚阿素洛揭路荼紧捺洛莫呼洛伽人非人等。一切大众闻佛所说。皆大欢喜信受奉行
药师琉璃光如来本愿功德经
- wong chee tat :)
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
- wong chee tat :)
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
- wong chee tat :)
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
- wong chee tat :)
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
- wong chee tat :)
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
- wong chee tat :)
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas
- wong chee tat :)
Scheduled Maintenance - POSB
Scheduled Maintenance - POSB
We are constantly upgrading our systems to bring you a more pleasant banking experience. During the mentioned period of scheduled maintenance, some of the services will not be available:
iBanking | ||
|---|---|---|
Date
|
Maintenance Period
|
Services under Maintenance
|
Every Sunday
|
0400hrs to 0700hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Foreign Currency Current Account (FCCA) - Foreign Currency Fixed Deposit (FCFD) - Multi-currency Autosave (MCA) - Multiplier Account |
15 May 2016
|
0000hrs to 0600hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Fast Funds Transfer to Other Bank (New/Existing Payee) - Adhoc Fast Funds Transfer to Other Bank - Fast Transaction History - View/Delete Post Dated Funds Transfer |
21 May 2016
|
1000hrs to 0000hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Online Equity Trading (SG) - iB trading services |
22 May 2016
|
0000hrs to 1300hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Online Equity Trading (SG) - iB trading services |
digibank app | ||
|---|---|---|
Date
|
Maintenance Period
|
Services under Maintenance
|
15 May 2016
|
0000hrs to 0600hrs
|
System Maintenance
- Fast Funds Transfer to Other Bank (New/Existing Payee) - Adhoc Fast Funds Transfer to Other Bank - Fast Transaction History - View/Delete Post Dated Funds Transfer |
PayLah! | ||
|---|---|---|
Date
|
Maintenance Period
|
Services under Maintenance
|
15 May 2016
|
00:00hrs to 06:00hrs
|
Service Maintenance
- Send money back to non-DBS/POSB Bank accounts - Verification of non-DBS/POSB Bank accounts |
- wong chee tat :)
Best-paid US hedge fund managers take home US$13 billion
Best-paid US hedge fund managers take home US$13 billion
Hedge funds lost money for their investors last year but the industry's top-paid managers had a banner year, with five men earning more than US$1 billion each in 2015, an industry survey released on Tuesday showed. (See the survey http://www.institutionalinvestorsalpha.com/HedgeFundRichList.html)
Posted 10 May 2016 20:50 Updated 10 May 2016 21:00
BOSTON: Hedge funds lost money for their investors last year but the industry's top-paid managers had a banner year, with five men earning more than US$1 billion each in 2015, an industry survey released on Tuesday showed. (See the survey http://www.institutionalinvestorsalpha.com/HedgeFundRichList.html)
Together, the 25 best-paid hedge fund managers took home US$13 billion, 10 percent more than the previous year. For many, computer models played a critical role in their success, according to Institutional Investor's Alpha's 15th annual ranking of the industry's highest-earning managers. (See the top-10 highest compensated hedge fund managers http://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/1/1647/2814/HEDGEFUND-COMPENSATION-B.jpg)
Citadel's Kenneth Griffin, who started trading from his Harvard dormitory in the 1980s, and Renaissance Technologies' James Simons, a former code breaker who launched his fund in 1982, each took home US$1.7 billion in 2015 to tie for top honors. In 2014, they also took home 10 figures each but slightly less than in 2015, to claim the No. 1 and No. 2 spots.
Bridgewater's Raymond Dalio, Appaloosa Management's David Tepper and Millennium Management's Israel (Izzy) Englander rounded out the top five spots, with each man making more than an US$1 billion in 2015, the survey shows.
The higher payday came "despite the fact that roughly half of all hedge funds lost money last year," said Institutional Investor Editor Michael Peltz. He added that "about half of the 25 highest-earning hedge fund managers used computer-generated investment strategies to produce their investment gains."
The lucrative pay came as the average hedge fund lost 1 percent in 2015, with some managers, including David Einhorn, Larry Robbins and William Ackman losing much more than the high-earners took in. Ackman and Robbins, who ranked in the No. 4 and No. 7 spots in the previous Rich List did not make the recent roster.
Instead, John Overdeck and David Siegel, who run the data and technology-driven investment firm Two Sigma, made an appearance for the first time, earning US$500 million each. Their firm produced positive returns of 13 percent and 14.5 percent in two of its funds through November, according to return information seen by Reuters. The firm's assets were up more than 29 percent to US$31 billion as of Nov. 30.
Millennium's Englander, who has made the list previously, also reached a personal milestone by topping 10 figures with compensation of US$1.15 billion after his firm's multi-strategy funds gained 12.5 percent in 2015.
(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; Editing by Dan Grebler)
- Reuters
- wong chee tat :)
Hedge funds lost money for their investors last year but the industry's top-paid managers had a banner year, with five men earning more than US$1 billion each in 2015, an industry survey released on Tuesday showed. (See the survey http://www.institutionalinvestorsalpha.com/HedgeFundRichList.html)
Posted 10 May 2016 20:50 Updated 10 May 2016 21:00
BOSTON: Hedge funds lost money for their investors last year but the industry's top-paid managers had a banner year, with five men earning more than US$1 billion each in 2015, an industry survey released on Tuesday showed. (See the survey http://www.institutionalinvestorsalpha.com/HedgeFundRichList.html)
Together, the 25 best-paid hedge fund managers took home US$13 billion, 10 percent more than the previous year. For many, computer models played a critical role in their success, according to Institutional Investor's Alpha's 15th annual ranking of the industry's highest-earning managers. (See the top-10 highest compensated hedge fund managers http://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/1/1647/2814/HEDGEFUND-COMPENSATION-B.jpg)
Citadel's Kenneth Griffin, who started trading from his Harvard dormitory in the 1980s, and Renaissance Technologies' James Simons, a former code breaker who launched his fund in 1982, each took home US$1.7 billion in 2015 to tie for top honors. In 2014, they also took home 10 figures each but slightly less than in 2015, to claim the No. 1 and No. 2 spots.
Bridgewater's Raymond Dalio, Appaloosa Management's David Tepper and Millennium Management's Israel (Izzy) Englander rounded out the top five spots, with each man making more than an US$1 billion in 2015, the survey shows.
The higher payday came "despite the fact that roughly half of all hedge funds lost money last year," said Institutional Investor Editor Michael Peltz. He added that "about half of the 25 highest-earning hedge fund managers used computer-generated investment strategies to produce their investment gains."
The lucrative pay came as the average hedge fund lost 1 percent in 2015, with some managers, including David Einhorn, Larry Robbins and William Ackman losing much more than the high-earners took in. Ackman and Robbins, who ranked in the No. 4 and No. 7 spots in the previous Rich List did not make the recent roster.
Instead, John Overdeck and David Siegel, who run the data and technology-driven investment firm Two Sigma, made an appearance for the first time, earning US$500 million each. Their firm produced positive returns of 13 percent and 14.5 percent in two of its funds through November, according to return information seen by Reuters. The firm's assets were up more than 29 percent to US$31 billion as of Nov. 30.
Millennium's Englander, who has made the list previously, also reached a personal milestone by topping 10 figures with compensation of US$1.15 billion after his firm's multi-strategy funds gained 12.5 percent in 2015.
(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; Editing by Dan Grebler)
- Reuters
- wong chee tat :)
KB66797: Ports needed by ePolicy Orchestrator for communication through a firewall
Ports needed by ePolicy Orchestrator for communication through a firewall
- wong chee tat :)
Technical Articles ID: KB66797
Last Modified: 12/10/2015 Environment
McAfee Agent (MA) 5.x, 4.x
McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) 5.x, 4.x Summary
The following tables display the ports needed by ePO for communication through a firewall.
For the purpose of this article:
ePO (Ports/Traffic Quick Reference) ePO Server |
- wong chee tat :)
SWIFT rejects Bangladeshi claims in cyber heist, police stand firm
SWIFT rejects Bangladeshi claims in cyber heist, police stand firm
Posted 10 May 2016 19:05
REUTERS: SWIFT has rejected allegations by officials in Bangladesh that technicians with the global messaging system made the nation's central bank more vulnerable to hacking before an US$81 million cyber heist in February.
The comments were in response to a Reuters story that cited Bangladeshi police and a central bank official as saying that SWIFT technicians introduced security holes into the bank's network while connecting SWIFT to Bangladesh's first real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system.
"SWIFT was not responsible for any of the issues cited by the officials, or party to the related decisions," the Brussels-based bank-owned cooperative said in a statement posted on its website on Monday.
"As a SWIFT user like any other, Bangladesh Bank is responsible for the security of its own systems interfacing with the SWIFT network and their related environment – starting with basic password protection practices – in much the same way as they are responsible for their other internal security considerations," the statement said.
But Bangladesh's main police investigator maintained there were loopholes in the way SWIFT carried out the integration of its network with the RTGS platform that left the central bank's computer systems vulnerable to hackers.
Mohammad Shah Alam, the head of the criminal investigation department of the Bangladesh police, said the probe had identified specific deviations from set procedures that compromised Bangladesh Bank's security.
"We stand by our investigation," he said in response to the comments by SWIFT. But he added he did not want to engage in a debate and urged greater international cooperation to identify the culprits behind one of the world's biggest cyber thefts.
Reuters has not been able to independently verify the allegations by Bangladeshi officials about the SWIFT technicians.
U.S. investigators suspect the involvement of employees of the Bangladesh Bank in helping the hackers breach the systems, the Wall Street Journal said, quoting people familiar with the matter.
It said the Federal Bureau of Investigation had found evidence that at least one bank employee acted as an accomplice but there could be more who assisted the hackers in navigating around Bangladesh Bank's computer systems.
NO SHARING OF EVIDENCE
Bangladesh police said they have been looking for inside involvement in the heist from the beginning of the probe, but no evidence has turned up against anyone.
Investigators say they think there was some level of local facilitation in the attack on the central bank's computers but haven't identified it as yet.
"If the FBI has uncovered evidence, they should share with us," a police officer said.
The revelations came ahead of a meeting on Tuesday in Basel, Switzerland, where Bangladesh Bank officials have said their governor and a lawyer appointed by the bank would discuss recovery of about US$81 million stolen by hackers with the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a senior executive from SWIFT.
The money was stolen from Bangladesh Bank's account at the New York Fed through fraudulent transfer orders sent on the SWIFT system.
SWIFT's statement said it "looks forward to the meeting with Bangladesh Bank and New York Federal Reserve Bank officials in Basel on 10th May, when the bank’s security issues and these baseless allegations will be discussed."
Bangladesh Bank officials have said they believed SWIFT, and the New York Fed, bear some responsibility for the February cyber heist.
(Additional reporting by Serajul Quadir in DHAKA; Editing by Toni Reinhold and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
- Reuters
- wong chee tat :)
Posted 10 May 2016 19:05
REUTERS: SWIFT has rejected allegations by officials in Bangladesh that technicians with the global messaging system made the nation's central bank more vulnerable to hacking before an US$81 million cyber heist in February.
The comments were in response to a Reuters story that cited Bangladeshi police and a central bank official as saying that SWIFT technicians introduced security holes into the bank's network while connecting SWIFT to Bangladesh's first real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system.
"SWIFT was not responsible for any of the issues cited by the officials, or party to the related decisions," the Brussels-based bank-owned cooperative said in a statement posted on its website on Monday.
"As a SWIFT user like any other, Bangladesh Bank is responsible for the security of its own systems interfacing with the SWIFT network and their related environment – starting with basic password protection practices – in much the same way as they are responsible for their other internal security considerations," the statement said.
But Bangladesh's main police investigator maintained there were loopholes in the way SWIFT carried out the integration of its network with the RTGS platform that left the central bank's computer systems vulnerable to hackers.
Mohammad Shah Alam, the head of the criminal investigation department of the Bangladesh police, said the probe had identified specific deviations from set procedures that compromised Bangladesh Bank's security.
"We stand by our investigation," he said in response to the comments by SWIFT. But he added he did not want to engage in a debate and urged greater international cooperation to identify the culprits behind one of the world's biggest cyber thefts.
Reuters has not been able to independently verify the allegations by Bangladeshi officials about the SWIFT technicians.
U.S. investigators suspect the involvement of employees of the Bangladesh Bank in helping the hackers breach the systems, the Wall Street Journal said, quoting people familiar with the matter.
It said the Federal Bureau of Investigation had found evidence that at least one bank employee acted as an accomplice but there could be more who assisted the hackers in navigating around Bangladesh Bank's computer systems.
NO SHARING OF EVIDENCE
Bangladesh police said they have been looking for inside involvement in the heist from the beginning of the probe, but no evidence has turned up against anyone.
Investigators say they think there was some level of local facilitation in the attack on the central bank's computers but haven't identified it as yet.
"If the FBI has uncovered evidence, they should share with us," a police officer said.
The revelations came ahead of a meeting on Tuesday in Basel, Switzerland, where Bangladesh Bank officials have said their governor and a lawyer appointed by the bank would discuss recovery of about US$81 million stolen by hackers with the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a senior executive from SWIFT.
The money was stolen from Bangladesh Bank's account at the New York Fed through fraudulent transfer orders sent on the SWIFT system.
SWIFT's statement said it "looks forward to the meeting with Bangladesh Bank and New York Federal Reserve Bank officials in Basel on 10th May, when the bank’s security issues and these baseless allegations will be discussed."
Bangladesh Bank officials have said they believed SWIFT, and the New York Fed, bear some responsibility for the February cyber heist.
(Additional reporting by Serajul Quadir in DHAKA; Editing by Toni Reinhold and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
- Reuters
- wong chee tat :)
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