The main sutras of Buddhism. Medicine Buddha Sutra (Menla, Bhaishajyaguru) Buddha Sutras
SUTRA OF THE BUDDHA OF MEDICINE
SUTRA OF THE MERIT AND VIRTUES OF THE VOWS OF THE TATHAGATA BHAISHAJYA GURU VAIDURYA PRABHA
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
Translated from English by Tenpa Sherab
Elista, 2007
That's what I heard. Bhagavan Buddha, traveling and preaching, arrived in Vaishali. He stopped under a tree from which melodic sounds were coming. With him were eight thousand great Bhikshus and thirty-six thousand Bodhisattvas - Mahasattvas, as well as kings, dignitaries, brahmanas, upasakas, gods, dragons and other celestial beings, including kimnars. The entire countless assembly respectfully surrounded the Buddha and he began to preach the Dharma. At this time, the Son of the Dharma King, Manjushri, prompted by the power of the Buddha, stood up from his seat, bared his right shoulder, sank to his right knee, bowed his head and folded his palms together and respectfully addressed the Buddha: “World Honored One! We ask the Buddha to tell about the names of the Buddhas, their great vows made by them in the past, and about their high virtues and merits, so that those who hear about them will know how to guard against karmic obstacles.This request is also for the sake of bringing benefit and joy to sentient beings in The Age of Dharma's Similarity."
The Buddha praised Manjushri, saying: “Wonderful! Wonderful! Thanks to your great compassion, you ask me to tell about the names of the Buddhas, about their vows, merits, virtues, for the sake of saving sentient beings who have karmic obstacles and wanting to bring peace, tranquility and joy to the beings who will live in the Age of Similarity of Dharma. Listen carefully to my words, remember and reflect on them."
Manjushri said, "Very good. We are very happy and happy to listen."
The Buddha said to Manjushri: “Far in the east, at a distance of countless Buddha lands, as numerous as the grains of sand in the ten rivers of the Ganges, there is a world called Vaiduryanirbhasa (Sphere of Shining Lapis Lazuli). There resides a Buddha named Bhaishajya Guru Vaidurya - the Healing Buddha of Lapis Lazuli Radiance. this Buddha has many names: Worthy of Honor, the Truly Knower of All, the One Who Has a Pure Mind and Whose Deeds are Perfect, the Impeccably Noble One, the One Who Contains the Passion of People, the Follower of the Light Path, the Knower of the World, the Worthy Arranger of Everything, the Teacher of Gods and Men, Bhagawan Buddha, the World Honored One. When the World Honored Healing Guru was on the Bodhisattva Path in the past, he made twelve vows so that all sentient beings would obtain everything they asked for in prayer.
First great vow:"I make a vow that in the next life, when I achieve the Highest and Complete Awakening (annutara samyak sambodhi), my body will glow with a blinding light that will illuminate countless, boundless, endless worlds. My body will be adorned with thirty-two marks of greatness and eighty beautiful marks of a great man, and I will give all beings the opportunity to achieve the same state."
Second Great Vow:“I vow that in the future life, when I have achieved the Supreme and Complete Awakening and attained Buddhahood, my body will be as clear and bright as lapis lazuli, unsullied, pure, shining with a magnificent light, majestic, with virtues and merits, abiding at peace ", adorned with a halo of radiance that is brighter than the sun and the moon. Beings in darkness will be illuminated and they will obtain what they desire."
Third Great Vow:“I make a vow that in the future life, when I have achieved the Supreme and Complete Awakening and achieved Buddhahood, I, through infinite wisdom, will enable all beings to acquire an inexhaustible amount of necessary things so that they will not experience even the slightest need.”
Fourth Great Vow:“I make a vow that in the future life, when I achieve the Highest and Complete Awakening, I will lead living beings who have gone along heretical paths to the path to Enlightenment, and I will lead those who are on the chariots of Sravakas and Pratyekabuddhas along the path of the Mahayana.”
Fifth Great Vow:“I make a vow that in the future life, when I have achieved the Supreme and Complete Awakening, I will enable countless sentient beings to adhere to morality and purity by taking three types of vows. If anyone breaks them, then hearing my name, they will again acquire their purity and will not fall into evil worlds."
Sixth Great Vow:“I make a vow that in the future life, when I achieve the Supreme and Complete Awakening, may those living beings who have physical disabilities and defective sense organs, who are ugly, stupid, blind, deaf, deformed, paralyzed, hunchbacked, with sickly skin , insane or with various other diseases and sufferings, upon hearing my name, they will restore their health and gain perfect mental faculties; all their senses will be restored and they will be free from diseases and sufferings."
Seventh great vow:“I make a vow that in the future life, when I achieve the Supreme and Complete Awakening, I will become the reason that living beings who are oppressed by many diseases and who have no one to turn to for help and refuge, without a doctor, without medicine, without relatives and without family, who are poor and filled with suffering, will be cured of their diseases, as soon as my name enters their ears, they will gain perfect health of body and mind. They will gain family and relatives, as well as an abundance of property and wealth, and will walk on the path to Enlightenment."
Eighth great vow:“I make a vow that in the future life, when I achieve the Supreme and Complete Awakening, may those women who are tormented by hundreds of sufferings due to taking birth in a female body and wish to reject it, then hearing my name, may they take birth as men and achieve the state Enlightenment."
Ninth Great Vow:"I vow that in the future life, when I have achieved Supreme and Complete Enlightenment, I will free sentient beings from the snares of demons and false teachings. If they fall into the deep forest of false views, I will lead them to the Noble Truth and gradually lead them to practice Bodhisattvas so that they will quickly achieve the Supreme and Complete Awakening."
Tenth Great Vow:“I make a vow that in the future life, when I have achieved Supreme and Complete Awakening, I will cause sentient beings who fall into the hands of the law and are bound, interrogated, beaten, shackled, imprisoned, sentenced to death , or experiencing endless illnesses, hardships, insults and humiliations, so that they cry out of grief, suffering and fatigue in body and mind, and once they hear my name, may they find liberation from all grief and suffering, thanks to my majestic powers of blessing and virtuous merit."
Eleventh Great Vow:“I make a vow that in the future life, when I have achieved the Supreme and Complete Awakening, I will cause all living beings who are tormented by hunger and thirst and burdened with bad karma to be endowed with delicious food and drink. And if, only Hearing my name, remembering and honoring it, then thanks to the taste of Dharma they will find peace and happiness."
Twelfth Great Vow:“I make a vow that in the future life, when I achieve the Supreme and Complete Awakening, those living beings who are poor and without clothes, so that they suffer day and night from mosquitoes and midges, cold and heat, hearing my name, will remember and will honor him, may they receive beautiful and wonderful clothes according to their tastes, as well as various precious ornaments, flower garlands, fragrant oils, pleasant music. Everything they dream of will be in abundance."
Manjushri, these twelve supreme and wonderful vows, being a Bodhisattva, was taken by the Medicine Buddha. However, Manjushri, if I talk a kalpa or more about the vows taken by the Medicine Buddha, the Universe Honored One, when he followed the Bodhisattva path, and about the merits, virtues, then I still will not be able to list them all.
This Buddha Sphere is pure - there are no women there, there is no inauspiciousness, no painful groans can be heard. The soil there is made of lapis lazuli (vaidurya), and along the roads the ropes are made of gold. Walls, towers, palaces, halls, gates are all made of the seven jewels. In general, this sphere is similar to the pure sphere of the Western direction, Sukhavati.
In this sphere there are two Bodhisattvas - Mahasattvas; the first is called Radiation of the Sun, the second is Radiation of the Moon. They head the assembly of Bodhisattvas and are the [chief] assistants of the Buddha. They guard the precious Medicine Buddha Dharma. Therefore, Manjushri and all noble men and women who have pure faith should desire to take birth in this Pure Realm."
At that time, the Universe Honored One said to Bodhisattva Manjushri: “Manjushri, [there are] living beings who do not distinguish good from evil, who fall into greed and stinginess, and who give nothing and take nothing. They are stupid, ignorant, and they have no faith. They have accumulated a lot of wealth and treasures and guard them jealously. When they see beggars passing, they feel irritated. When they are forced to give alms, they think that it is not good for themselves, and feel that they , as if cutting pieces of meat from their body, and suffering from deep and painful remorse.
These countless stingy and unfortunate creatures, who, although they have accumulated a lot of money, live so modestly that they deny themselves everything. Is it possible that they will share with parents, wives, servants and the needy? When their life ends, they are reborn among hungry ghosts or animals. [But] if they heard the name of Buddha Bhaishajya Guru - the Healing Guru of Lapis Lazuli Radiance in their past human existence and remember the name of this Tathagata, then although they are in bad worlds, they will immediately be reborn in the human world. Moreover, they will remember their past lives and will fear the suffering of evil destinies. They will not find pleasure in worldly amusements, but will joyfully give and praise others who do the same. They will not skimp and will give everything they have. To those who come to them in need, they will be able to give their own heads, eyes, hands, feet and even their entire bodies, not to mention money and property!
Moreover, Manjushri, there are such beings who, although they are followers of the Tathagata, nevertheless violate the minor vows (of morality). Others, although not immoral, nevertheless break rules and regulations. Others, although they do not violate moral precepts or rules and regulations, nevertheless have a wrong view. Others, although they have correct views, nevertheless neglect the study of the Dharma, and therefore are unable to understand the profound meaning of the sutras preached by the Buddha. Others, although they learn, nevertheless cultivate arrogance. Overshadowed by arrogance, they make excuses for themselves and neglect others, slander the Profound Dharma, and join the retinue of demons.
These fools themselves make mistakes and lead millions of creatures to the pit. These creatures endlessly dwell in the worlds of hells, animals and hungry ghosts. But if they hear the name of Buddha Bhaishajya Guru, they will be able to give up unvirtuous actions and follow [the path of] true Dharma, and thereby avoid falling into evil worlds. Those who have fallen into the bad worlds because they have not abandoned their non-virtues and have not followed the true Dharma, yet, thanks to the miraculous powers of the vows of this Tathagata, having heard the name of this Buddha even just once, will be reborn again in the human world. And if they hold right views and control lust, their minds will be calm and joyful, and they will leave home and give up the life of householders. They will diligently study the Tathagata Dharma without any violation. They will have right views and knowledge; they will understand the deeper meaning and become free from arrogance. They will not slander the True Teaching and will never join the demons. They will advance in Bodhisattva practice and will soon achieve Enlightenment.
Moreover, Manjushri, those living beings who are stingy and wicked, praising themselves and belittling others, will fall into the three evil worlds and suffer there for countless thousands of years, after which they will take birth as donkeys, horses, camels and bulls, which are constantly beaten, they experience hunger and thirst, and carry heavy loads along the roads. If they take birth among men, they will be slaves or servants who are always subordinate to others and who never feel peace.
If such beings, while in a human body, hear the name of the World Honored Bhaishajya Guru - the Healing Guru of Lapis Lazuli Radiance, and thanks to this good reason are able to remember him and sincerely take refuge with this Buddha, then, thanks to the wonderful powers of the Buddha, they will be freed from all suffering. They will have full senses and wisdom. They will experience joy in listening to the Dharma and will gain great knowledge and virtuous friends. They will tear apart all the networks of maras and the veil of ignorance. They will dry up the rivers of obscurations and be freed from the sufferings of birth, old age, illness and death, as well as all worries and troubles.
Moreover, Manjushri, there may be such beings who are filled with arrogance and stubbornness and enter into disputes, causing trouble both for others and for themselves. With their body, speech and mind, they create various negative karmas. They never do good or forgive others, they are malicious and malicious. They pray to the spirits of mountain forests, trees and cemeteries. They kill living beings to sacrifice blood and flesh to the Yakshas and Rakshasas. They write the name of their enemies and make their images, and cast black spells, resort to black magic and poisons. They call upon the spirits of the dead. They harm and destroy their enemies.
However, if the victim hears the name of the Healing Guru of Lapis Lazuli Radiance, then all this evil will lose its harmful power. They will gain compassion, a desire to help and bring happiness to living beings. They will give up malice, will be happy and content with what they have, giving up the desire for other people's property. Their actions will be virtuous.
Moreover, Manjushri, there are four lines of sangha - bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, upasakas, upasikas. There are also other virtuous men and women of pure faith who have faith and keep eight of the ten commandments and spend three months of the year in retreat. Thanks to these good merits, they can take birth in the western land of Sukhavati, where Buddha Amitabha resides. However, some may not have enough faith. But still, if they hear the name of the Universe-Revered Healing Guru of Lapis Lazuli Radiance, then at the moment of death the Eight Great Bodhisattvas will appear before them and show them the way, and they will naturally gain birth from the bud of a beautiful flower in a pure realm. Or for this reason, some may be born in heaven, but due to virtuous merit they will not fall into the three evil worlds. When their life in heaven comes to an end, they will be reborn again among people. They will be able to become chakravartins - reigning virtuously over the four continents, leading countless thousands of living beings to observe the ten good deeds.
Or they may take birth as kshatriyas, brahmanas, elders or sons of a noble family. They will be rich, their storehouses will be overflowing. Beautiful in appearance, they will have many relatives. They will be educated, wise, strong and brave, like the great ones. If a woman hears the name of the Universe-Revered Healing Guru of Lapis Lazuli Radiance and sincerely worships him, then in the future she will never be born in a female body.
Moreover, Manjushri, when Buddha Bhaishajya Guru attained Supreme and Complete Enlightenment, through the powers of his vows, he saw living beings subject to various types of illness and suffering. Some suffer from emaciation, weakness, desiccation, or yellow fever; others - from the harm of spells, spirits or poisons (snakes and vipers). Some die young, others die prematurely [from an accident]. He wished to dispel all their illnesses and sufferings. Therefore, the Noble One immersed himself in the samadhi of Eliminating the Suffering of All Living Beings and emitting from Ushnisha an emanation of magnificent bright light, he recited the following great dharani:
NAMO BHAGAVATE BHAISHAJYA GURU VAIDURYA PRABHA RAJAYA TATHAGATAYA ARHATE SAMYAKSAMBUDDHAYA.
TADYATHA OM BHAISHAJYE BHAISHAJYE MAHABHAISHAJYE BHAISHAJYE RAJASAMUDGATE SVAHA.
When he uttered this mantra, shining with light, the earth shook and was illuminated with light. All the suffering and illness of the creatures subsided, and they felt peace and happiness.
The Buddha continued: “Manjushri, if you see a pious man or woman suffering from illness, you should, with kindness in your heart, provide them with the following: washing, bathing, keeping the body clean, rinsing the mouth, food, medicine and clean water, reciting the dharani hundred eight times. After this, all illnesses will completely disappear. If this person desires something, let him concentrate and read this mantra with faith in his heart. And then he will achieve everything he wants, illnesses will recede and his life span will lengthen. After dying, he will be reborn in Pure Sphere. He will enter the stage of non-return and achieve the Supreme and Complete Awakening (annutara samyak sambodhi). Therefore, Manjushri, believing men and women who with sincerity in their hearts will honor, make offerings and pray to the Tathagata Healing Guru of Lapis Lazuli Radiance, may they always remember and never forget this mantra.
Moreover, Manjushri, there will be pious men and women of pure faith who, having heard the name of Buddha Bhaishajya Guru, will recite and cherish it; early in the morning, after washing and brushing their teeth with Dantakastha sticks, they will make offerings of fragrant flowers, incense, incense and various types of music in front of the Buddha image. They themselves will rewrite this Sutra, memorize it and explain it to others. To the Dharma teacher from whom they have heard the explanation of this Sutra, they will make generous offerings, fully satisfying his needs. And then all Buddhas will remember them and protect them. All their desires will be fulfilled and in the future they will achieve the Highest and Complete Awakening."
Bodhisattva Manjushri then bowed and addressed the Buddha: “World Honored One, I promise that in the Age of Dharma-Similarity, I will enable, through various skillful means, good men and good women with pure faith to hear the name of the Healing Guru of Lapis Lazuli Radiance. Even then , when they sleep, I will awaken them in the name of this Buddha.
World Honored One, those who have accepted and treasured this Sutra read and recite it, explain its meaning to others, copy it themselves and encourage others to copy it, respectfully make offerings of various flowers, incense ointments, incense powders, incense sticks, flower garlands, necklaces , banners and music. They will keep this Sutra in five-colored silk. They will prepare a clean place and build a high altar where this Sutra will be placed. At this time, the four heavenly kings with their retinues of countless hundreds, thousands of deities will arrive at this place and will venerate, make offerings and protect the Sutra.
World Honored One, [let people] know that if in the place where this wonderful Sutra is located, people can receive and preserve it, then due to the merits and virtues of the vows taken by the World Honored Bhaishajya Guru and also because they hear his name, none of these people will meet an untimely death. In addition, none of them will lose vital energy due to the interference of harmful ghosts and spirits. Those people who are already sick due to the interference of harmful spirits will be restored to health and will find happiness and peace in body and mind."
The Buddha said to Manjushri: “It is so! It is so! Everything is as you said. Manjushri, if these noble men and women with pure faith who wish to make offerings to the World Honored Healing Guru of Lapis Lazuli Radiance, then they should first make an image this Buddha and place him in a clean and beautifully decorated place. Then they should shower various flowers, burn all kinds of incense and decorate the place with various flags and ribbons. Then for seven days and seven nights they should adhere to the eight precepts, eat clean food, bathe clean and fragrant water, wear clean clothes, free their minds from defilements, anger and malice, generate a desire to serve others and bring happiness to others. They should be filled with compassion, the joy of giving and benevolence. Having thus purified, let them walk around the image of the Buddha from right to left, playing musical instruments and chanting gathas of praise.In addition, let them remember the blessings of the vows of this Tathagata, read and recite this Sutra, penetrate its meaning, and explain it to others. Then all their desires will be fulfilled: those who wish for a long life will gain longevity; those who desire wealth will find wealth; those who want official positions will find them; those who wish to have a son or daughter will find a son or daughter. Moreover, if a person has a bad dream, sees bad omens, sees a flock of strange birds or strange phenomena in his abode, then if he worships and makes offerings to the World Honored Healing Guru of Lapis Lazuli Radiance, then all bad dreams, bad omens and negativity will disappear completely without causing any harm to him. He will be protected from dangers arising from water, fire, swords, poisons, elephants, lions, tigers, wolves, bears, snakes, scorpions, centipedes, mosquitoes, mosquitoes and other troubles and dangers. If he sincerely prays and honors the Buddha, remembers the Buddha, then all negative phenomena will disappear.
Moreover, Manjushri, noble men and women of pure faith, who have not worshiped other deities in their lives, but adhere to the vows of the Buddhist Refuge and have taken and kept the five vows, ten vows, four hundred Bodhisattva vows, two hundred and fifty Bhikkhus vows, or five hundred Bhikkhuni vows; when they fear that they may break their vows and fall into bad worlds, then if they concentrate on reciting the name of the Buddha and pray and make offerings, then they will never be reborn in the three lower worlds.
If women giving birth, suffering from severe pain, sincerely pray, recite the name of Buddha Bhaishajya Guru, honor and make offerings to this Tathagata, then all their suffering will disappear. The newborn baby will be strong and healthy. Everyone will be glad to see him - smart, strong and healthy. No evil spirit can steal his life force."
At this time, the Buddha turned to Ananda: “The merits and virtues of the Buddha Bhaishajya Guru are the result of deep practice. The actions of the Buddhas have deep meaning, to understand and comprehend. This is difficult. Do you believe?”
Ananda replied: "Great Virtuous One, World Honored One, I have no doubts about the Sutras preached by the Tathagata. Because the actions of the Body, Speech and Mind of all Buddhas are completely pure. World Honored One, the sun and moon can fall; Sumeru is the king of the mountains, may fall apart, but the words of the Buddhas never change. World Honored One, living beings whose faith is imperfect wonder what is the deep meaning of the Buddha's Acts? They think like this: “Is it possible to obtain such blessings simply by reciting the name of one Buddha, Bhaishajya Guru?” By thinking this way, they destroy faith [and sow doubts]. They lose, in one long night, enormous virtues and joy, and fall into the three evil fates of a miserable existence, where they wander endlessly.” The Buddha said to Ananda: “If living beings who hear the name of the World Honored Tathagata Bhaishajya Guru sincerely revere the Buddha without the slightest doubt, then their fall into bad deeds will be impossible. Those who fell into bad deeds have not committed good deeds. Ananda, the exceptionally profound practice of all Tathagatas is difficult to comprehend. Reflect on this. What I have told you is due to the power of the Tathagatas. Ananda, all Shravakas, Praktyekabuddhas and Bodhisattvas who have not reached the tenth Bhumi are not able to believe, understand and clarify this. Only Bodhisattvas "who have one life left before attaining Buddhahood are able to comprehend this Dharma. Ananda, it is very difficult to acquire a human body. It is also difficult to have faith and to revere the Three Jewels. But it is even more difficult to be able to hear the name of the Tathagata Bhaishajya Guru. Ananda, the Healing Guru of Lapis Lazuli Radiance has realized boundless practices of Bodhisattvas, has skillful means and innumerable vows. If I talk about them for a kalpa or more, then before the kalpa comes to an end, before I finish listing the deeds, vows and skillful abilities of this Buddha."
At this time, the Bodhisattva - Mahasattva named Saving and Liberating [Living Beings] - was present at the meeting. He stood up from his seat, exposed his right shoulder, knelt down on his right knee, joined his palms and addressed the Buddha: “World Honored One, possessed of great virtues! At the end of the Dharma-Similarity period, there will be living beings stricken with various diseases, unable to eat and drink , with dry throat and lips. They see only darkness - the harbinger of death. Lying in bed, surrounded by sobbing parents, relatives and friends, they will see the messengers of Yama accompanying their souls before the King of Justice. Every living being has spirits that accompany them to the end life. They write down his every deed, good or bad, and present it to Yama - the King of Justice. Immediately King Yama interrogates this person and assigns him a place [for further existence], according to the ratio of his good and bad deeds. If at this time relatives or the friends of the sick person, on his behalf, take refuge with the Medicine Buddha and ask the monks to recite this Sutra, light the seven lamps, then his consciousness may return after seven, twenty-one, thirty-five or forty-nine days, he will feel as if he had awakened from sleep and will remember the consequences of his good or bad deeds.
In difficult times of his life, he remembers [the law of cause and effect] and does nothing wrong. Therefore, men and women with pure faith should revere the name of Buddha Bhaishajya Guru and according to their ability, pray and make offerings to the Buddha."
At this time, Ananda asked the Bodhisattva Saving and Liberating [Living Beings]: “Noble One, how should we honor and make offerings to the Medicine Buddha? And what is the significance of hanging flags and lighting lamps?”
The Bodhisattva Saving and Liberating [Living Beings] said: “Reverend, for the sake of sick people whom you want to free from illness and suffering, you need to observe the eight vows for seven days and seven nights, make offerings to the Sangha - the community of monks with food, pray and perform rituals, make offerings to Buddha Bhaishajya Guru six times a day, read this Sutra forty-nine times, light forty-nine lamps, make seven images of this Tathagata. In front of each image you need to place seven lamps, each of these lamps illuminates a space with a radius of a cart wheel. These lamps should burn continuously for forty-nine days. Hang five-colored flags forty-nine spans in length. And then those sick will overcome the danger of premature death or possession by evil spirits. Further, Ananda, in the case of a Kshatriya prince who was crowned in times of calamity such as plague, foreign invasion, uprisings, unfavorable changes in constellations, solar or lunar eclipses, unseasonal winds and rains or prolonged droughts - this kshatriya prince should generate compassion for living beings, release all prisoners, make offerings to the Buddha the Healing Guru Lapis Lazuli Radiance and the above rituals. And as a result of good deeds and by virtue of the vows of the Tathagata, order will reign in the country, rains and winds will be timely and favorable for the ripening of the harvest, and all living beings will be happy and healthy. In this country all yakshas, harmful spirits and all bad omens will disappear. The Kshatriya prince will enjoy vitality and health. Ananda, if the queen, princes and their wives, ministers, councilors, provincial officials or ordinary people suffering from illnesses or other troubles hang five-colored flags, light lamps and keep them burning, scatter colorful flowers and light incense, liberate the living beings, then diseases will be cured and all misfortunes will disappear."
Then the World Honored One praised the youth Manjushri, saying to him: “Good! Good! Manjushri! Moved by great compassion, you persuaded me to tell about the names of the Buddhas, their main vows, merits and virtues, in order to snatch sentient beings from those bad circumstances in which they are there to bring benefit, peace and joy to all sentient beings in the [current] era of spreading the “untrue Dharma.” Now listen carefully and think carefully about what I tell you.”
Manjushri said: “Talk about whatever you want, we will listen with pleasure.”
The Buddha said to Manjushri: “To the east of here, beyond the lands of the Buddhas, as numerous as ten times the number of grains of sand in the Ganges, there is a world called “Pure Lapis Lazuli.” The Buddha there is called the Tathagata Master of Medicine Lapis Lazuli Radiance, Worthy, Having Acquired True Equal Enlightenment. Walking Wisely , Omniscient, Rightly Gone, Liberated from the World, Highest Husband, Tamer of Husbands, Teacher of Gods and Men, Buddha, Bhagavan.
Manjushri! At the time when that World Honored Tathagata Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Radiance entered the bodhisattva path, he took twelve great vows so that sentient beings would obtain everything they desire.
First great vow.
I promise that when I come into the World and attain anuttara samyak sambodhi, my body will emit a radiance that will illuminate and illuminate countless, boundless worlds. It will be adorned with thirty-two signs of a great man and eighty beautiful signs. I will make sure that everyone endowed with feelings will be like me without difference.
Second great vow.
I promise that when I come into the world and gain bodhi, my body will become like lapis lazuli. It will be permeated with light inside and outside. It will be pure, radiant, bright, great and free from blemishes and impurities. My merits and virtues will rise high. My body will be in goodness and peace. A halo like a flaming net will adorn him. His radiance will be brighter than the radiance of the sun and moon. All living beings who are in darkness will instantly be enlightened in their ignorance and will act and act according to their desires.
Third great vow.
I promise that when I come into the world and gain bodhi, through the immeasurable, limitless skillful means of wisdom, I will cause all sentient beings to acquire countless things that they can use. They will not need anything.
The fourth great vow.
I promise that when I come into the world and gain bodhi, I will cause sentient beings who are on false paths to calmly establish themselves on the path of bodhi. If they follow the path of the vehicle of the Shravakas and Pratyeka Buddhas, they will follow the Mahayana and calmly establish themselves in it.
Fifth great vow.
I promise that when I come into the world and gain bodhi, I will cause an immeasurable, limitless number of living beings who follow the path of Brahma according to my Dharma to take those vows that they lack in order to fulfill the three collections of vows. If they have committed any crimes, then upon hearing my name, they will regain purity and will not be born into bad regions of existence.
Sixth great vow.
I promise that when I come into the world and gain bodhi, all living beings whose bodies are weak, who lack sense organs, who are ugly, deformed, stupid, blind, deaf, dumb, voiceless, crooked, lame in both legs, hunchbacked , sick with leprosy, insane, subject to all kinds of illnesses and suffering, will gain harmony, intelligence and wisdom after hearing my name. All their senses will be perfect, they will not get sick or suffer.
The seventh great vow.
I promise that when I come into the world and gain bodhi, all living beings who are sick, suffering, cannot find relief from suffering, have no refuge to turn to, have no healers, have no medicine, have no relatives, have no family, have no food, are poor, experience a lot of suffering, will instantly get rid of all diseases, as soon as my name reaches their ears. Their body and mind will be in peace and joy, their family and relatives will gain prosperity, they will become rich, they will have everything they need, and they will also achieve the confirmation of the highest bodhi.
Eighth great vow.
I promise that when I come into the world and gain bodhi, all women, oppressed and oppressed by a hundred women's calamities, tired of life and wanting to give up the female body, upon hearing my name, [in the next life] will turn from women to men. They will acquire all the attributes of a man and achieve the highest bodhi.
Ninth great vow.
I promise that when I come into the world and gain bodhi, I will cause all living beings to break free from the snares of Mara and free themselves from the shackles of false teachings. If they are lost in the dense forest of various evil views, then I will guide them all to accept the true views. I will make sure that they gradually begin to perform the practice of bodhisattvas and will soon confirm the highest true equal to bodhi.
Tenth great vow.
I promise that when I come into the world and gain bodhi, all living beings are imprisoned, who must be executed, beheaded, must endure innumerable calamities, reproach and shame, who are oppressed, sad and yearning, whose body and mind are subject to suffering , thanks to my goodness, happiness and powerful spiritual strength, they will find liberation from all sorrows and suffering if they hear my name.
Eleventh great vow.
I promise that when I come into the world and gain bodhi, all living beings who suffer from hunger and thirst and do bad things in order to get food will hear my name, will concentrate their thoughts, accept my name and hold it. I will first nourish their bodies with highly wonderful drinks and dishes, and then, with the help of the taste of Dharma, I will lead them to peace and joy and make them established in this.
Twelfth Great Vow.
I promise that when I come into the world and gain bodhi, all living beings who are poor and have no clothes, who suffer day and night from mosquitoes, gadflies, cold and heat, will acquire various very wonderful clothes if they hear my name, will concentrate their thoughts on it, will accept it, will adhere to it and will do all this diligently. They will also receive various precious jewelry, flower head ornaments, fragrant ointments, drums and musical instruments. They will have in abundance all the talents their heart desires.
Manjushri! These are the twelve subtle, miraculous supreme vows that that World-Honored, Worthy, True Enlightened Tathagata, Master of Healing Lapis Lazuli Radiance, took upon entering the path of the bodhisattva.
Moreover, Manjushri, if even for a kalpa or more kalpas I talk about the other vows that that World Honored Tathagata Master of Medicine Lapis Lazuli Radiance took while walking the path of a bodhisattva, and also about the greatness of the merits and virtues of the lands created by that Buddha, then I can’t tell you about everything. The land of that Buddha is completely pure. There are no women there, and there are no bad forms of existence, no sounds and voices of suffering. Instead of earth, there is lapis lazuli everywhere. Golden cords fence the paths there. Walls, gates, palaces, chambers, terraces, windows, chains - everything is made of the seven jewels just like in the Western World of Supreme Joy. The greatness of the merits and virtues [of that land] is also indistinguishable [from the greatness of the World of Supreme Joy].
In that country there are two Bodhisattvas-Mahasattvas. The first is called Sunshine, the second is called Moonlight. They lead an immeasurable, innumerable host of bodhisattvas. They replace the Buddha in his place and can maintain the precious treasury of true Dharma of that World Honored Healing Teacher Lapis Lazuli Radiance.
Therefore, Manjushri, all good men and good women who have faith must take the vow to be born in the world of that Buddha."
Then the World Honored One said to the youth Manjushri: “Manjushri! There are greedy and stingy living beings who do not distinguish between good and evil, who do not know about the need to give alms and about the fruits of retribution acquired as a result of this. They are stupid and do not have wisdom, they have no roots of wisdom. They accumulate wealth and treasures in abundance, diligently guard and protect them. If they see that a beggar has come to them, their heart does not rejoice. But if they still do not save something and give alms, then for them it is it is as if a piece of meat was cut off from their body. This gives rise to deep pain and regret in them. There are also innumerable greedy living beings who collect property and wealth without even using it for themselves, let alone their own parents, wife , children, slaves and alien beggars. These living beings after death are born in the world of hungry ghosts or in the form of animals. If, while among people, they heard the name of the Mentor of Healing Lapis Lazuli Radiance, and are now in the bad regions of existence, then, as soon as they If they remember the name of that Tathagata, they will immediately leave the place where they are. They will be born again among people and, remembering their past birth, will fear the suffering experienced in the bad areas of existence. They will not experience joy from their desires.
Next, Manjushri! There are living beings who, although they were in the place where the Tathagata taught, violated the shila. There are those who, although they did not violate the sila, violated the secondary rules. There are those who, although they have achieved impeccable observance of the sila and secondary rules, have slandered the true views. There are those who, although they did not slander the true views, refused to frequently listen to Buddhist doctrines and were unable to understand the deepest meaning of the sutras told by the Buddha.
There are those who, although they have heard a lot and also comprehended all the doctrines, but because of pride they assert themselves and reject others, neglect the true Dharma and become the companions of Mara. Such foolish people themselves practice false views, and also push countless living beings into a deep, dangerous abyss. Every single one of these sentient beings will be reborn in the hells, among the animals, and in the world of hungry ghosts.
If they hear the name of that Tathagata Master of Medicine Lapis Lazuli Radiance, they will renounce bad deeds, begin to practice good Dharma, and will not be reborn in bad realms of existence. If they fail to give up evil deeds, do not practice good Dharma, and are reborn in bad realms of existence, then that Tathagata, through the great power of his fundamental vows, will make sure that they immediately hear his name and after death will be reborn again in the human world. They will gain true views and diligence in practice. They will govern themselves well; their thoughts will be joyful. They will be able to become monks and will not give up monasticism. They will remain where the Tathagatas teach the Dharma and will not commit any wrongdoing. They will have true views, will hear a lot about the Dharma, and will comprehend the extremely deep meaning of Buddhist teachings. They will not feel pride and will not slander the true Dharma. They will not become Mara's comrades. Gradually they will begin to perform the bodhisattva practice and will soon achieve the result of this practice.
Next, Manjushri! There are greedy and envious living beings who praise themselves and slander others. All of them will inevitably be reborn into the three bad forms of existence. For immeasurable millennia they have been subjected to unbearable suffering. Having endured these unbearable sufferings, they are again born into the human world in the form of bulls, horses, camels and donkeys. They are constantly being whipped; they suffer from hunger and thirst. They are constantly loaded with heavy loads and forced to carry them on the roads. If they take birth in a human body, then they are born among the lowest and the most despised. They become slaves, and other people burden them with heavy duties. They never manage themselves. If in their previous life they had ever heard the name of the world-honored Tathagata Lapis Lazuli Radiance, then for this good reason they will again remember him and sincerely take refuge in this Buddha. Through the spiritual power of this Buddha, they will be freed from all suffering. Their senses will become sensitive and sharp, they will be wise and will know Buddhist teachings well. They will constantly strive for the highest Dharma and will constantly meet virtuous friends. They will forever break the chains of Mara, break the shell of ignorance and exhaust the river of obscurations. They will be freed from old age, illness, death, sadness, melancholy and suffering.
Next, Manjushri! There are living beings who like quarrels. They quarrel with each other, causing trouble to themselves and others. Through their body, speech and thought, they constantly commit and perpetuate various evil deeds. They are constantly involved in activities that do not benefit anyone. They constantly make evil plans against each other. They call the spirits of mountains, forests, trees and hills, kill living beings to offer their blood and meat as sacrifices to the Yakshas and Rakshasas. They write the names of their enemies, make their images, in order to direct evil spirits at them through the art of evil spells. They cast spells to make the spirits of the dead kill [those people] and destroy their bodies. If these living beings hear the name of that Tathagata, Master of Medicine Lapis Lazuli Radiance, they will become incapable of doing all these evil deeds. Their consciousness will completely change and they will begin to feel compassion for other beings. They will strive to bring benefit, peace and joy to others. They will not think about how to harm anyone; they will not suspect or hate anyone. Each of them will experience joy. They will be happy with what they have, will not be at enmity with each other, but will try to benefit each other.
Next, Manjushri! There are members of four assemblies: bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, upasakas, upasikas, and other pure and religious men and women who are able to take and maintain eight types of vows for a period of one year or three months. They wish, thanks to these good roots, to be born in the abode of Buddha Immeasurable Longevity, the Western World of Supreme Joy. Although they heard the true Dharma, they were not established in it. There are eight great bodhisattvas. Their names are: Bodhisattva Manjushri, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta, Bodhisattva Akshayamati, Bodhisattva Flower of the Precious Sandalwood, Bodhisattva King of Medicine, Bodhisattva Supreme in Medicine, Bodhisattva Maitreya.
If those people hear the name of that World Honored Tathagata, Master of Medicine Lapis Lazuli, then when their lives come to an end, these eight bodhisattvas will appear to them from the void and show them the way. Then they will naturally be born into the world of [Pure Lapis Lazuli] from multi-colored precious flowers. Thus, through this they will be born into heaven. If they, even having been born in heaven and having established the roots of good [in themselves], still do not exhaust their karma to the end, then [even in this case] they will never be born again in the bad regions of existence. When their long life in heaven comes to an end and they are born among people, they will be born as a chakravartin who has mastered the four continents, authoritative, virtuous, independent, calmly establishing countless hundreds and thousands of living beings on the ten paths of good. Or they will be born as kshatriyas, brahmanas or laymen. They will have a large family, abundant wealth, and their barns will be filled to the brim. Their bodies will be straight and slender. They will have a sufficient number of relatives and household members. They will be endowed with sensitivity, intelligence and wisdom. They will be strong, brave and courageous, like great strong warriors.
If a woman hears the name of that Tathagata Master of Medicine Lapis Lazuli Radiance, sincerely accepts it and adheres to it, then she will never again be born in the body of a woman.
Next, Manjushri! When that Tathagata Master of Medicine Lapis Lazuli Radiance attained bodhi, he, by the power of his fundamental vows, contemplated living beings who were suffering from various diseases such as exhaustion, prostration, yellow fever and others who were suffering from nightmares, demons, insects and poisons, those whose life span is short, as well as those who are about to die suddenly. He wanted to make sure that all their illnesses and sufferings disappeared and that they would gain everything they desired.
Then that World Honored One entered into samadhi, which is called “Elimination of suffering and anger of all living beings.” When he entered this concentration, a great radiance emanated from his ear. Surrounded by radiance, he uttered the great dharani:
"Namo bhagavate bhaisajya guru vaidurya prabha rajaya, Tathagataya, arhate, samyaksambudhaya, tadyatha: Om bhaisajye, bhaisajye, bhaisajya samudgate svaha"
When he, surrounded by radiance, uttered this, the great lands trembled. When he emitted a great radiance, the diseases and suffering of all living beings disappeared. They found peace and joy.
Manjushri! If you see a man or woman suffering from illness, then you should treat such patients cordially and constantly wash and cleanse their body. It is necessary to recite this mantra one hundred and eight times on food, or on medicine, or on water in which there are no insects, and give it to the sick person. Then all his illnesses and sufferings will immediately disappear. If you have any desires, then you should remember [that Buddha] with faith and recite [his] mantra, in this way you will achieve everything you desire. Diseases will disappear, life years will increase. When your life ends, you will be born in the world of [Buddha Master of Medicine], you will achieve the state of non-return and you will achieve bodhi.
That is why, Manjushri, men and women sincerely revere and worship that Tathagata Master of Medicine Lapis Lazuli Radiance. They should always adhere to this mantra and not forget it.
Next, Manjushri! To pure and believing men and women who have heard the name of the Worthy One. Having achieved True Enlightenment, Tathagata Master of Medicine Lapis Lazuli Radiance, one should repeat it and adhere to it. They should brush their teeth with a wooden stick in the morning, bathe, cleanse their body and make offerings to the Buddha image with fragrant flowers, incense sticks, fragrant ointments and music. They must either copy this sutra themselves or teach other people to copy it.
With their consciousness united, they should listen to this sutra and reflect on its meaning. Offerings should be made to the teacher who expounds this teaching. He should be provided with all the things he needs. There shouldn't be anything he lacks. One who does this will be protected by all the Buddhas. They will constantly remember him. Everything this person desires will come true. He [will certainly] attain bodhi."
Then the youth Manjushri said to the Buddha: “In [the present] era of untrue Dharma,” I must swear that, using various skillful means, I will cause pure and believing men and women to hear the name of the World Honored Tathagata, Master of Medicine, Lapis Lazuli Radiance, and will even in a dream it is clear to hear the name of this Buddha.
World Honored One! They should accept this sutra, adhere to it, read it and recite it. They must also explain its meaning to others. They must rewrite it themselves, and also teach other people to rewrite it. They should revere this sutra and make offerings to it of various flower incense, fragrant ointments, powdered incense, incense sticks, flower garlands, necklaces, umbrellas and music. They should make a case of five-color silk for this sutra. They should erect a high throne, sweep the place where it stands, sprinkle water there and place this sutra there. Then the Four Heavenly Kings, together with their retinue and countless hundreds and thousands of celestial beings, will arrive at that place, worship it and guard it.
World Honored One! It should be known that in the place where this sutra is considered a treasure and distributed, no one will suffer sudden death due to the merits and virtues of that World Honored Master of Medicine Lapis Lazuli Radiance, and also due to the fact that his name was heard there. Evil demons will not steal the energy of those people. If they had already kidnapped her, then those people would regain their previous physical state. Their body and mind will be in peace and joy."
The Buddha said to Manjyshri: “Yes! Yes! Everything is as you said, Manjyshri! If pure and believing good men and good women wish to honor that World Honored Tathagata Master of Medicine Lazurite Radiance, then they should set up a pedestal in a quiet place and cleanse this place and place on it the image of that Buddha.They should scatter various flowers, burn various incense, and decorate the place with various banners and umbrella-shaped banners.
For a period of seven days and seven nights, they must accept the eight commandments, eat clean food, wash themselves with clean water, and wear clean clothes. They must arouse in themselves an unclouded, anger-free attitude towards living beings. They should strive to bring benefit, peace and joy to living beings. They must awaken within themselves compassion for them. They should feel joy and treat all living beings equally. They must beat drums, play music and sing hymns of praise while walking around the Buddha statue in the direction of the sun.
One should also remember the merits and virtues of the main vows of that Tathagata, read and recite this sytra. One should reflect on its meaning and explain it to others. Thanks to this, you can achieve everything you strive for: if you want to gain longevity, then you will gain longevity; if you want to gain wealth, then you will gain wealth; if you want to obtain the post of an official, then you will obtain the post of an official. If you want to have a son or daughter, then you will find a son or daughter.
If there is a person who suddenly had a nightmare dream, if various ominous signs appeared in his eyes, if strange birds gathered where he lives, if hundreds of ominous obsessions appeared in that place, then this person should, using various miraculous accessories, honor him World Honored Mentor of Healing Lazyrite Radiance. Then nightmares, ominous obsessions and all bad omens will disappear and will not cause harm to that person.
He who fears water, fire, daggers, poisons, sharp swords, evil elephants, lions, tigers, wolves, bears, poisonous snakes, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes and poisonous mosquitoes, will find deliverance from all these horrors if he can sincerely remember Tom Buddha, honor him and make offerings to his images.
If foreign troops invade, if robbers and bandits rebel, remember that Buddha and worship him, and you will find relief from all these disasters.
Next, Manjushri! Pure and believing good men and good women who have already lived their allotted life and have not served other deities should concentrate their consciousness and take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, and also accept and keep the precepts. They should accept either the five precepts, or the ten precepts, or the four hundred precepts of a bodhisattva, or the two hundred and fifty precepts of a bhikkhus, or the five hundred precepts of a bhikkhuni. If they have violated any of the commandments they have accepted and are afraid of being reborn in bad areas of existence, then by concentrating, remembering the name of that Buddha and honoring him, they will in no case be reborn in the three bad forms of existence.
If a woman who is about to give birth and is undergoing extreme suffering can recite the name of that Tathagata, honor him, praise him and worship him, then she will be freed from all suffering. The child born by her will have all the members of his body perfect.
He will be endowed with a slender body; people who see it will experience joy. His perception will be acute. He will be insightful and calm. He will be sick a little; non-humans will not take away his life energy."
Then the World Honored One said to Ananda: “If in any place I praise the merits and virtues of that World Honored Tathagata Master of Medicine Lazyrite Radiance, then that place will be a place of extremely deep practice of all Buddhas. This is difficult to understand and realize. Do you believe in it? "
Ananda said: “Great Virtuous World Honored One! No doubt will arise in me about the truth of the sytras uttered by the Tathagata. Why is this so? The karma of the body, speech and thoughts of all Tathagatas has nothing impure in it. World Honored One! These wheels of the sun and moon can overthrow and fall, the King of the Wonderful and High Mountains may be shaken, but what is said by the Buddhas cannot be changed. World Honored One! Most living beings lack the roots of faith. When they hear about the place of extremely deep practice of all the Buddhas, this thought arises in them : How, just by remembering the name of that Tathagata Master of Medicine Lazyrite Radiance, is it possible to acquire such merits, virtues and great benefits? Due to the fact that they do not believe in this, on the contrary, a disdainful and negative attitude is born in them [to Buddhist doctrines]. Such people will lose great benefit and joy in eternal night. They will be born in bad regions of existence and will be reborn there endlessly."
The Buddha said to Ananda: “If these beings hear about the name of the World Honored Tathagata, Master of Medicine Lazyrite Radiance, accept this name, hold it and have no doubts, then they will no longer remain in the bad regions of existence. Ananda! It is very difficult to believe in an extremely deep truth. action of all Buddha. If you can accept this with faith, then you should know that this happened due to the authoritative power of that Tathagata. Ananda! None of the shravakas, pratyeka buddhas and bodhisattvas who have not entered the first stage [of the bodhisattva path] is able to understand this and believe in it. Only the Ekajatipati Buddhas [are able to understand it].
Ananda! It is difficult to acquire a human body. It is also difficult to gain faith in the Three Jewels, respect and reverence for them. It is even more difficult to hear the name of the World Honored Tathagata, Master of Medicine, Lazyrite Radiance.
Ananda! This Tathagata Master of Lazyrite Radiance Medicine has countless vast great vows. If I talk about this in detail for a kalpa or more than a kalpa, then the kalpa will end, and I will not have time to talk about the vows of the practice of that Buddha and about his good, skillful means.”
Then there was one Bodhisattva-Mahasattva in the assembly, whose name was Deliverance. He stood up from his seat, exposed his right shoulder, bowed his right knee to the ground, bowed down and, folding his hands, said to the Buddha: “Great Virtuous World Honored One! In this era of the untrue Dharma,” there are living beings who suffer from all sorts of calamities and constantly are sick. They are exhausted, cannot drink or eat; their throats and lips are dry, they see darkness on all sides; signs of death appear before their eyes. Father, mother, relatives, friends and acquaintances surround them, shedding tears. Lying in their place, they see the messengers of Yama, who attract their consciousness to the face of the king of Dharma Yama. Every living being has a deity who is born with him. This deity records everything they do, good and bad. It keeps the records for itself and transmits them to the king of Dharma Yama. Then the king interrogates that person, counts his deeds and decides his case on the spot, according to [the ratio of] good and bad deeds. If the relatives and friends of that person can take refuge in that Tathagata Master of Medicine Lazyrite Radiance and ask the assembly of monks to read this sura aloud, light the seven rows of lamps, hang the life-prolonging five-colored divine banners, then the consciousness of that person will return, and he will see himself clearly, how they see themselves in dreams.
That person's consciousness will return either after seven days, or after twenty-one days, or after thirty-five days, or after forty-nine days. That person will seem to wake up from a dream and remember the fruits of reward that entail good and bad deeds. Since he has already personally become convinced of the fruits of retribution that any action entails, then when difficult circumstances arise in his life, he will not commit bad deeds. Therefore, pure and believing good men and good women should accept and uphold the name of the Tathagata Master of Medicine Lazurite Radiance, and also revere him and make offerings [to his images] according to their capabilities."
Then Ananda asked the bodhisattva Deliverance: “Good man! How to honor and worship that World-Honored Tathagata, Master of Medicine Lazyrite Radiance? How to install life-prolonging banners and lamps?”
Bodhisattva Deliverance said: “Great Virtuous One! If there is a person whom you want to save from illness and suffering, then for the sake of that person you should accept the eight precepts for a period of seven days and seven nights. You should, as far as possible, make offerings to the Sangha of the bhikkhus with excess food and things, if they are available in excess. Six times a day it is necessary to worship and make offerings to that World Honored Tathagata, Master of Medicine Lazyrite Radiance. It is necessary to read this sytra forty-nine times, light forty-nine lamps and install seven statues of that Tathagata. In front of each statue, seven lamps must be installed Each lamp should be as large as a cart wheel. They should burn continuously for forty-nine days. Banners of five-colored silk should be set up, which should be forty-nine cubits in length. Animals of different species should be set free, which should also be forty-nine. Then you can save that person from dangers and disasters; he will not suffer sudden death and will not become the prey of evil demons.
Then, Ananda, suppose there is a king from the Kshatriya family, installed in the kingdom by the ritual of watering his head. If disasters and misfortunes arise [in his kingdom], namely: the disaster of a pestilence of people, the disaster of invasion by foreign troops, the disaster of uprisings and riots in one’s own country, the disaster of changing the movements of the stars, the disaster of weakening the radiance of the sun and moon, the disaster of wind and rain at the wrong time , the calamity of the lack of rain at the appropriate time, then in this king from the Kshatriya race, installed in the kingdom by the rite of watering the head, a feeling of compassion and pity for all beings should be born. He must release all those whom he has bound and imprisoned, and, based on the above-stated Dharma of worship, bow to that World Honored Tathagata, Master of Medicine Lazyrite Radiance.
Thanks to these roots of goodness, and also thanks to the power of the vows of that Tathagata, it will happen that his country will find peace; the wind will blow and the rain will fall at the proper time, grains and grains will ripen, living beings will not get sick, but will experience joy. In that country there will be no cruel yakshas and other spirits disturbing the peace of living beings. All signs of evil will disappear, and a king from the Kshatriya family, installed in the kingdom by the ritual of watering his head, will gain longevity and a happy fate. He will look good and be strong. He will not get sick and will manage himself. In all matters he will gain benefit.
Ananda! If the empress, second wife, princes, dignitaries, high-ranking officials, nobles, palace concubines or palace servants suffer from illness or other misfortunes, then it is also necessary to install sacred banners of five-color silk and light lamps, which should burn continuously. It is necessary to free living beings, scatter flowers of different colors, burn incense of all types, and the disease will be eliminated. [You will also gain] deliverance from all misfortunes."
Then Ananda asked the bodhisattva Deliverance: “Good man! How is it possible to prolong the life of a person who is about to die?”
Deliverance Bodhisattva said: “Great Virtuous One! Haven’t you heard what the Tathagata said about the nine kinds of sudden death? Therefore [I] urge [people] to install life-extending banners and lamps, to practice deeds that bring the goodness of happiness. Thanks to the fact that he practices actions [bringing] the goodness of happiness, a person whose life is coming to an end will not be subject to suffering."
Ananda asked: “What are the nine types of sudden death?”
Bodhisattva Deliverance said: “If living beings become ill with minor illnesses, but do not have medicine and do not have access to a doctor, and if they meet a doctor but he does not give them medicine, then, although in fact they should not die , they will suddenly die.
There are also sinister teachers, followers of non-Buddhist teachings, believers in the evil spirits of this world, who talk in vain about happiness. This gives rise to terrible deeds. Their consciousness is unstable. They tell fortunes, ask questions, wanting to achieve happy omens, kill various living beings, wanting to appease the spirits. They convene the mountain and forest evil spirits, begging for their well-being. They wish to extend the years of their life, but in the end they cannot achieve any of this. Because of their own stupidity and delusions, they believe harmful and perverted views. This leads them to sudden death. They enter hell without a time limit for leaving. This is called the first type of sudden death.
- The second type of sudden death is execution according to royal laws.
- The third type is when they hunt and have fun, indulge in debauchery, sensuality and guilt, idle around without knowing how to stop, and suddenly die from non-humans who steal their life energy.
- The fourth type of sudden death is death from fire.
- The fifth type of sudden death is drowning.
- The sixth type of sudden death is being devoured by all kinds of evil beasts.
- The seventh type of sudden death is falling from mountains and cliffs.
- The eighth type of sudden death is death from poisons and harm caused by conspiracies, spells, the risen dead, demons and others.
- The ninth type is when they suffer from hunger and thirst, and, not receiving food and drink, suddenly die.
Here are the explanations of the Thus Come One regarding sudden death, which has nine types.
In addition, there are still an immeasurable number of all kinds of sudden death, which are difficult to talk about.
Next, Ananda! That king Yama keeps a list in which the names of everyone living in [this] world are written. If living beings exhibit the five counteractions, destroy and dishonor the Three Jewels, violate the relationship between the sovereign and the subordinate, and slander the essential precepts, then the king of Dharma Yama investigates [their crimes] and imposes punishments according to the gravity and lightness of the crime. Therefore, now I exhort all living beings to light lamps and set up banners, release animals and do good in order to save [such criminals] from suffering and prevent disasters."
Then among the crowd were twelve great Yaksha generals. They were all sitting in the assembly. Their names were: Kumbhira, Vajra, Mihira, Andira Anila, Shandira, Indra, Pajra, Makura, Sindura, Chatyra, Vikarala. Each of these twelve Yakshas had seven thousand Yakshas as his retinue. They all simultaneously raised their voices and said to the Buddha: “World Honored One! Now we have experienced the power of the Buddha’s authority, we have heard the name of the World Honored Tathagata, Master of Medicine Lazyrite Radiance. We will no longer be afraid of bad forms of existence. We will all unite our consciousness together in order to, while we have not yet reached the exhaustion of our bodily forms, take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. We vow that we will be responsible for all living beings and create for them due benefit, abundance, peace and joy, wherever they live : in a village, in a city, in a country, in a town, or in a forest, taking a break from business.If there are those who spread this sytra, or those who have accepted and adhere to the name of the Tathagata Master of Medicine Lazyrite Radiance, honors him and worships him, then We, together with our subjects, will protect such people, we will always relieve them from all suffering. All their desires will be instantly satisfied. If they are sick and distressed and want to find deliverance, then they should also read this verse aloud and tie our names in silk threads five different colors and, after they have found what they wanted, untie it."
Then the World Honored One, praising all the Yaksha commanders, said: “Good! Good! Great Yaksha commanders! Remember the reward of the merciful and virtuous World Honored Master of Medicine Lazyrite Radiance. You should thus bring benefit, peace and joy to all living beings.”
Then Ananda said to the Buddha: “World Honored One, what should this Dharma gate be called? Under what name should we worship and adhere to it?”
The Buddha said: “Ananda, this gate of Dharma is called the Story of the Root Vows, Merits and Virtues of the Tathagata Master of Medicine Lazurite Radiance.” They are also called "The Story of the Divine Spell of the Twelve Divine Generals, who took a vow to bring abundant benefit to living beings." They are also called “Removing all karmic obstacles.” So one should adhere to this sytra."
When Bhagavan uttered these words, all the bodhisattvas-mahasattvas, as well as the great shravakas, the king of the country, ministers, brahmanas, laymen, celestials, dragons, yakshasas, gandharvas, asuras, garydas, kimnaras, mahoragas, people, non-humans and others, the whole great assembly heard what the Buddha was saying. Everyone experienced great joy, believed, accepted it, bowed and left.
Here we have posted our translations of several Buddhist texts, some of them with commentaries. Please send us any comments on the quality and content of translations by email. We will also try to post translations of Buddhist texts by famous Russian and foreign Buddhist scholars, which are considered successful and in the Russian-speaking environment are close in meaning to the canonical ones.
"The Sutra of 42 Chapters Spoken by the Buddha"
One of the shortest and simplest Buddhist sutras, its meaning is quite accessible even to an untrained reader.
Quote:
“The Buddha said: Those who have said goodbye to their relatives, who have left the world, who know the originality of consciousness, who understand the Dharma of non-action, are called “shramans” (monks). Those who regularly observe the 250 vows, have entered into peace and pure silence (parishutha), and act in accordance with the Four Noble Truths , become arhats. Arhat - one who is able to fly and change shape, extend life at will, live in the Heavenly abodes. Anagamin (non-returning) - one who, after death, goes (to heaven) 19 heavens, (after which) manifests the fruit of an arhat. Sakridagamin (one-time returner) - one who returns to earth once and obtains the fruit of an arhat. Srotopanna (stream-enterer) - one who is reborn 7 times to manifest the fruit of an arhat. One who gets rid of cravings is like one who has cut off four limbs - can no longer use them" (translation by Alekseev P.A.)
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"Heart Sutra" ("Hridaya Sutra")
The shortest of the basic Mahayana Buddhist sutras. Contains in a condensed form the fundamental principles of Buddhism.
Quote:
"Know that form is space, and space is form. Also, feelings, discrimination, states of mind And consciousness are empty. Shariputra, these dharmas are similar to Emptiness in everything, they are not born, they do not die, they are not pure and not dirty, they do not become more , but there is no less" (translation by Alekseev P.A.)
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"Sutra of the Great Turning of the Wheel" ("Sutra of the Woman from the Dream")
This short sutra explains the mechanism of transfer of karma from the present to subsequent lives, shedding light on the true nature of attachments.
Quote:
"Great king! When the previous consciousness is extinguished, the subsequent consciousness is born either among people, or among the celestials, or will deviate to hungry ghosts, or fall into the lands of hell. Great king! When the subsequent consciousness arises, there is no intermediate birth, each in accordance with the type of images of his consciousness continues to rotate in the flow, thereby incarnating precisely in the world that excites it" (translation by Alekseev P.A.)
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"Sutra of Full Awareness"
The most important sutra of Mahayana Buddhism, examines in detail the subtle aspects of working with consciousness. Understanding this sutra requires a good philosophical background and familiarity with many Buddhist terms.
Quote:
“Noble man! Relying only on skillful methods and great compassion, bodhisattvas enter into all worlds to dispel unenlightenment. Even being manifested in various forms and images, participating in the affairs of the dual world of resistance and following, beings are nevertheless carried away by bodhisattvas to change and becoming on the path of Buddha" (compilation and translation by Alekseev P.A.)
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"Diamond Prajnaparamita Sutra"
One of the most famous and popular Mahayana sutras, it is studied and read at services in almost all Buddhist monasteries in China, Japan and Korea. In particular, the first text in ancient China published in print was the Diamond Sutra. The sutra interprets the concept of emptiness - shunyata, the most important philosophical postulate of Chan Buddhism, from various angles.
Quote:
“The Buddha said to Subhuti: “All bodhisattvas-mahasattvas should master their consciousness in this way: no matter how many beings there are, they should think, born from eggs, born from the womb, born from dampness or born as a result of magical transformations, having a physical appearance or not having it , thinking and not thinking, or not thinking and not not thinking, I must bring all of them to residue-free nirvana and destroy their suffering, even if we are talking about an uncountable, immeasurable and infinite number of living beings. " (translated by E. Torchinov)
SUTRA OF THE HEART OF PRAJNAPARAMITA
Bodhisattva Avalokita,
Plunging into the depths of knowledge,
He illuminated the five skandhas with the radiance of his wisdom
And I saw that they were all equally empty.
After this insight, he overcame his suffering.
Listen, Shariputra,
Form is emptiness, emptiness is form,
Form is nothing but emptiness
Emptiness is nothing more than form.
The same is true for feelings,
Perceptions, mental activity and consciousness.
Listen, Shariputra,
All dharmas have the properties of emptiness.
They are neither created nor destroyed,
Not contaminated or cleaned,
They do not increase or decrease.
So, in the void
There is no form, no feelings, no perceptions,
No mental activity, no consciousness.
No dependent origination
No eye, no ear, no nose,
No language, no body, no mind.
No form, no sound, no smell,
No taste, no touch, no mental objects.
There is no sphere of elements starting from the eyes
And ending with consciousness.
And there is no fading of it, starting from ignorance
And ending with death and decay.
There is no suffering and there is no source of suffering,
There is no end to suffering
And there is no way to end suffering.
There is no wisdom and no achievement.
Since there is no achievement, then bodhisattvas,
Based on perfect wisdom,
They do not find obstacles in their mind.
Having no obstacles, they overcome fear,
Eternally freed from delusions
And they achieve true nirvana.
Thanks to this perfect wisdom,
All Buddhas past, present and future
Enter into complete, true and complete enlightenment.
Therefore, one should know that perfect wisdom
Expressed in an unrivaled mantra,
With the highest mantra that destroys suffering,
Flawless and truthful.
So, the prajnaparamita mantra
Must be proclaimed. This is the mantra:
Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha.
Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha.
SUTRA OF LOVE
Anyone who wants to achieve peace
Must be humble and honest
Speak with love, live in peace
And without worries, simply and happily.
Let nothing be done that does not receive the approval of the wise.
And that's what we're thinking about.
May all beings be happy and safe.
Let there be joy in their hearts.
May all beings live safely and peacefully:
Creatures weak and strong, high and low,
Big or small, far or near,
Visible or invisible, already born
Or not yet born.
May they all remain in perfect peace.
Let no one harm any other.
Let no one become dangerous to another.
Let no one be evil and hostile,
Will not wish harm to others.
Just like a mother loves her only child
And he is protected at the risk of his life,
We develop love without borders
To everything living in nature.
Let this love fill the whole world
And will not meet any obstacles.
Let hostility and enmity leave our hearts forever.
If we are awakened, we stand or walk, we lie or sit,
In our hearts we keep love without borders
And this is the noblest path of life.
Who has experienced love without borders,
Free yourself from passionate desires,
Greed, false judgments,
Will live in true intelligence and beauty.
And will undoubtedly transcend the limits of birth and death
up
SUTRA ON HAPPINESS
He lived in the Anathapindika monastery in the Jeta grove near Shravasti.
By nightfall the deity appeared - his beauty and brilliance illuminated the entire Djet grove with a radiant sparkle.
Having paid homage to the Buddha, the deity addressed him with verses:
“Many people and gods strive to know that which is beneficial, that which brings happiness in life and peace.
Give us instructions on this, Tathagata."
(Buddha's answer:)
"Don't mess with fools,
Live in the community of the wise,
Respect those who deserve respect
This is great happiness.
Live in good places
Grow the seeds of kindness
Understand that you are on the right track,
This is great happiness.
Strive for knowledge
Possess mastery of work and craft,
Know how to follow instructions
This is great happiness.
Support mother and father
Cherish your entire family,
To have a job that I love,
This is great happiness.
Live right
Be generous in gifts for family and friends,
And behave impeccably
This is great happiness.
Prevent bad behavior
Avoiding alcohol and drugs,
Do good deeds
This is great happiness.
Be modest and polite
Live a simple life and be grateful,
Don't miss the opportunity to learn Dharma,
This is great happiness.
Be open to all changes
Meet monks
And carry out Dharma discussion,
This is great happiness.
Show attention and diligence in life,
Comprehend the Noble Truths,
And reach Nirvana,
This is great happiness.
Live in this world
Without exposing your heart to the worries of the world,
And, throwing away sorrows, remain calm,
This is great happiness.
Those who follow the Happiness Sutra
Wherever they go, they remain invincible,
They will always be lucky and safe,
This is great happiness."
SUTRA ON THE MIDDLE PATH
I heard these words of Buddha once when Mr.
stayed in a forest shelter in the Nala area. Came at that time
Venerable Kaccchayana visited him and asked:
"The Tathagata spoke about right vision. What is right vision?
How can the Tathagata describe the right vision?"
The Buddha replied to the venerable monk: "Worldly people tend to fall into
influenced by one of two opinions: opinions about the existence
and opinions about non-existence. This is because their perception is wrong.
O Kaccayana, people's erroneous perceptions lead them to believe that
existence and non-existence. Many people are limited in their
manifestations of discrimination and preference, as well as acquisitiveness and
affection.
Those who go beyond acquisitiveness and attachment,
they no longer imagine or retain in their thoughts the concept of their own self.
They understand, for example, that suffering occurs when
conditions are created and suffering fades away when the conditions for suffering
no longer exist. They are not subject to any doubt.
Understanding does not come to them from other people. This is their own deep comprehension. This deep realization is called "right seeing" and this way of deep realization can be described by the Tathagata as "right seeing".
So what is it like? When a person of deep insight
observes the coming of existence in the world, he does not have a thought
about non-existence. As he watches the fading of existence,
he does not have the thought of existence. O Kaccayana, vision of the world
as existing is one extreme, and seeing the world as not existing is the other extreme. The Tathagata avoids these extremes and teaches that the Dharma resides in the Middle Way.
The Middle Way states
what it is, because that is,
this is not there because that is not there.
Because there is ignorance, there is an urge (for birth).
Because the impulse is there, the consciousness is there.
Because consciousness is there, body and mind are there.
Because there is body and mind, there are six senses.
Because there are six senses there, there is contact.
Because there is contact there, there is sensation.
Because there is a feeling there, there is a (passionate) desire.
Because there is desire, there is attachment.
Because there is attachment there, there is a desire (for life).
Because there is aspiration, there is (new) birth.
Because there is birth, there is old age and death,
grief and sorrow.
This is how a lot of all kinds of suffering arises.
With the extinction of ignorance, the urge (to give birth) ceases.
With the extinction of the impulse, consciousness ceases.
And birth, old age and death finally cease,
grief and sorrow.
This is how a lot of all kinds of suffering ends.
After Venerable Kaccayana listened to the Buddha,
he became enlightened and freed from grief and sadness.
He managed to untie his attachments and achieved Arhatship.
This is great happiness."
SUTRA OF KNOWING THE BEST REMEDY FOR LIVING ALONE
I heard these words of Buddha once when Mr.
stayed in the Jet Grove monastery in the city of Shravasti.
He called all the monks and addressed them:
"Bhikkhu!" and the monks replied: “We are here.”
The Blessed One instructed: “I will teach you what is called
"knowing the best way to live alone."
I'll start with a brief explanation and then go into more detail.
O monks, deign to listen carefully."
- “Blessed One, we are listening” (the monks answered).
Buddha taught:
"Don't stay in the past
Don't get lost in the future.
The past has already passed, the future has not yet arrived.
Looking deeply into life
What she is right here and now,
The follower remains free and immutable.
We must be diligent today
It will be too late to wait until tomorrow.
Death comes so unexpectedly.
How can we make a deal with her?
A man is called wise
If he knows how to be aware
And day and night, he knows the best remedy
How to live alone.
O monks, what do we call “staying in the past”?
When someone remembers
The state of his mental actions remains a thing of the past.
When he remembers these things and his mind is tied and burdened
then this person remains in the past.
O monks, what does it mean to “not remain in the past”?
When someone remembers
About the state of your body in the past,
That state of his feelings remains in the past.
The state of his perceptions remains in the past.
The state of his mental actions remains in the past,
His state of consciousness remains in the past.
When he remembers these things, but his mind is not bound and subdued
these things that belong to the past,
then this person does not remain in the past.
O monks, what does it mean to be lost in the future?
When he imagines these things and his mind is burdened
and immersed in dreams of these things that are in the future,
then that person is lost in the future.
O monks, what does it mean to not get lost in the future?
When someone introduces
The state of your body in the future,
That state of his feelings is lost in the future.
The state of his perceptions is lost in the future.
The state of his mental actions is lost in the future.
His state of consciousness is lost in the future.
When he imagines these things, but his mind is not burdened
and not immersed in dreams about these things,
then this person is not lost in the future.
O monks, what does it mean to be involved in the present?
When someone doesn't study and master
Anything about the Awakened One
Or about a community that lives in harmony and awareness.
When such a person knows nothing
“This body is myself, I am this body.
These feelings are myself, I am these feelings.
These perceptions are myself, I am these perceptions.
These mental actions are myself, I am these
mental actions.
This consciousness is myself, I am this consciousness."
Then that person is involved in the present.
O monks, what does it mean to not be involved in the present?
When someone studies and masters
Anything about the Awakened One
Or about the teaching of love and understanding
Or about a community that lives in harmony and awareness.
When such a person knows
He thinks about noble teachers and their teachings:
“This body is not myself, I am not this body.
These feelings are not me, I am not these feelings.
These perceptions are not myself, I am not these perceptions.
These mental actions are not myself, I am not
these mental actions.
This consciousness is not myself, I am not this consciousness."
Then that person is not involved in the present.
O monks, I have presented a brief explanation
and a detailed exposition of the knowledge of the best means of living alone."
This is what the Buddha taught, and the monks diligently implemented his teaching.
ANIRUDDHA SUTRA
I heard these words of Buddha once when Mr.
stayed in a vast forest near the city of Vaishali in the House
with a Pointed Roof. At that time, not far from this place
The Venerable Aniruddha was in solitude in the forest.
One day several hermits came to the Venerable Aniruddha.
After mutual greetings, they asked the monk:
Venerable Aniruddha, the Tathagata is the only one
who is praised for achieving the greatest fruit of Awakening.
He must explain to you four such statements:
ceases to exist.
Tell us which of these statements is true?
Venerable Aniruddha replied:
- Friends, Tathagata, World-Revered, One and Only,
who has achieved the greatest fruit of Awakening has never claimed
these four provisions and did not talk about them.
When the hermits heard the answer of Venerable Aniruddha, they said:
Perhaps this monk only recently became a monk,
if he became a monk a long time ago, he must be slow-witted.
The hermits left Venerable Aniruddha and were not satisfied
his answer. They thought that he either became a monk recently,
or was stupid.
When the hermits left. Venerable Aniruddha thought:
If the hermits asked me how I should answer them,
to tell the truth and convey the Buddha's teachings correctly?
How should I respond in accordance with the true Dharma,
so that adherents of the Buddha's path will not be condemned?
Aniruddha went to the place where the Buddha was.
He bowed to Buddha and said words of greeting.
After this, he told Buddha what had happened.
Buddha asked him:
Do you think, Aniruddha, is it possible to find the Tathagata?
in the form of a form?
- Is it possible to find the Tathagata outside of form?
- No World-Revered, The Only One
- Is it possible to find the Tathagata in the form of feelings, perceptions,
mental activity or consciousness?
- No, World-Revered, The Only One.
- Is it possible to find the Tathagata outside of feelings, perceptions, mental
activity or consciousness?
- No, World-Revered, The Only One.
- That's right, Aniruddha, do you now think there is
Tathagata is something that transcends forms, feelings, perceptions,
mental activity or consciousness?
- No, World-Revered, The Only One.
If you, Aniruddha, cannot find the Tathagata while he is still alive,
then how can you find the Tathagata in four statements:
1. After death, the Tathagata continues to exist.
2. After death, the Tathagata ceases to exist.
3. After death the Tathagata continues to exist and
simultaneously ceases to exist.
4. After death, the Tathagata does not continue to exist and does not
ceases to exist.
- No, World-Revered, The Only One.
- That's right, Aniruddha. The Tathagata only taught and spoke about one thing:
about suffering and the end of suffering.
SUTRA OF COMPLETE MINDFULNESS OF BREATHING
When the full moon day arrived, Buddha sat in the open air,
looked around the meeting of monks and began to speak:
"Venerable monks, our community is pure and full of goodness.
In its essence there is no useless and boastful talk,
therefore it is worthy of offerings and can be considered a field of merit.
Such a community is rare and any wanderer who seeks it, regardless
depending on how long he wanders, he will find its merits.
O monks, the method of Full Mindfulness of Breathing,
if it is developed and carried out constantly,
will give great reward and bring invaluable benefits.
It will lead to success in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.
If the Four Foundations of Mindfulness method is developed
and perform constantly, it will lead to success in execution
The Seven Ingredients of Awakening. Seven Ingredients of Awakening
if they are developed and carried out constantly, they will lead
to the development of understanding and to the liberation of the mind.
What is the method of development and constant implementation
Full attentiveness to the breath, which will give
great reward and will bring invaluable benefits?
Monks, this is similar to when a practitioner goes into the forest.
or to the foot of a tree or to any secluded place,
sits down steadily, taking a lotus position,
and keeps his body perfectly straight.
By inhaling he knows that he is inhaling and by exhaling he knows that he is
exhales.
1. Inhaling with a long breath, he knows:
“I breathe in with a long breath.”
Exhaling a long exhale, he knows:
“I exhale in a long exhale.”
2. Inhaling a short breath, he knows:
“I take a short breath.”
Exhaling a short exhale, he knows:
“I exhale in a short exhale.”
3. “I breathe in and I am aware of my whole body.
I exhale and I am aware of my whole body."
So he does it.
4. “I inhale and bring my entire body to a state of calm and peace
I exhale and bring my whole body to a state of calm and peace."
that's how he does it.
5. “I breathe in and feel joy.
I exhale and feel joy."
So he does it.
6. “I breathe in and feel happy.
I exhale and feel happy."
So he does it.
7. “I breathe in and become aware of the activity of the mind within me.
I exhale and become aware of the activity of the mind within me."
It performs like this.
8. “I inhale and bring the activity of the mind within me to a state
peace and quiet."
I exhale and bring the activity of the mind within me to the state
peace and quiet."
It performs like this.
9. “I breathe in and become aware of my mind.
I exhale and become aware of my mind."
It performs like this.
10. “I inhale and bring my mind to a state of happiness and peace.
I exhale and bring my mind to a state of happiness and peace."
It performs like this.
11. “I breathe in and focus my mind.
I exhale and focus my mind."
It performs like this.
12. “I breathe in and empty my mind.
I exhale and free my mind."
It performs like this.
13. “I inhale and observe the transitory nature of all dharmas.
I exhale and observe the transitory nature of all dharmas.
It performs like this.
14. “I inhale and observe the extinction of all dharmas.
I exhale and observe the fading of all dharmas.
It performs like this.
15. “I breathe in and contemplate liberation.
I exhale and contemplate liberation."
He will perform like this.
16. “I breathe in and contemplate the abandonment of everything.
I exhale and contemplate the abandonment of everything."
He performs in a similar manner.
Complete mindfulness of breathing, if developed
and carry out constantly according to these instructions,
will give great reward and bring great benefit."
The word “sutra” itself means a thread on which something is strung (for example, beads or rosaries). This is the name given to the basic texts of religious and philosophical schools in India, which recorded the teachings of the founder of this tradition. However, if Brahmanistic sutras are extremely laconic aphorisms that capture the essence of a particular teaching in the form of brief formulas that require an indispensable commentary, then Buddhist sutras are sometimes huge works of a narrative nature with numerous descriptions, enumerations and repetitions (as an example, cite the “Prajna Paramita Sutra in Five Hundred Thousand Slokas” - the most voluminous of the Buddhist canonical works, the complete translation of which into any European language will take several solid volumes). Since the word "sutra" is a Sanskritization of the original Pali word "sutta", there is even an assumption in science that this Sanskritization was false and that the word "sutta" corresponds to a completely different Sanskrit word - "sukta" ("well said"). This interpretation also takes into account the fundamental genre difference between Buddhist sutras and texts of the same name in the Brahmanistic tradition. Buddhist sutras are considered in the Buddhist tradition as the sermons of the Buddha himself.
Mahayanists recognize as the word of Buddha both the soups of the Pali Canon of Theravada and the Sanskrit sutras of the Mahayana; Theravadins recognize only Pali soups. Most of the Buddhist sutras belong to the Mahayana tradition. Over several centuries of the formation of the Mahayana, a huge number of very diverse sutras were created, differing from each other both in form, type, and content. Moreover, many sutras directly contradicted each other and often one sutra denied what another proclaimed. But the Mahayana maintained that all sutras are the teachings of the Buddha, that is, in the Mahayana there was no tendency to sort sutras and separate “authentic” texts from “apocryphal” ones. But this is precisely why it became necessary to classify the texts and explain the contradictions between the sutras. Thus, the problem of hermeneutics, that is, the interpretation of the text, arose in Buddhism. As a result, Buddhist hermeneutics divided all sutras into two groups: sutras of "ultimate meaning" (nitartha) and sutras "requiring interpretation" (neyartha). The first group included sutras in which the Buddha directly, directly and unambiguously proclaimed his teaching, the second included texts that can be defined as “skillful means” (upaya); in them, the Buddha preaches the Dharma allegorically, adapting to the level of understanding of immature people, subject to delusions and influenced by various false teachings. Both texts were declared to be the authentic words of the Buddha, defamation of even the “neyartha” texts was considered a sin, but the value of these two types of texts was still recognized as different. However, the classification of sutras according to the principle of “nitarthaneyartha” did not solve all the problems. As various schools of Buddhist philosophy emerged, it became clear that those sutras that were declared sutras of “ultimate meaning” by one school were recognized by another school as only conditionally true, “requiring additional interpretation.” For example, the Madhyamika school considered Prajna-Paramitic texts that taught about the emptiness and essencelessness of dharmas to be sutras of “ultimate meaning,” while sutras that proclaimed the principle of “consciousness alone” were rejected by it as “requiring additional interpretation.” On the contrary, the Yogacara school considered these latter texts to be sutras expressing the highest teaching of the Buddha, recognizing only relative truth in the Prajna Paramita sutras. Subsequently, within the framework of Chinese (and later - the entire Far Eastern) Buddhism, even a special technique of pan jiao appeared - “criticism / classification of teachings”, according to which each school classified various Buddhist schools according to the “degree” of their truth and proximity to the “genuine” teaching Buddha (corresponding, of course, to the teachings of the school that carried out the classification). It is interesting that over time, even the so-called “theory of two nights” was formed in Buddhism, which is set out in some sutras. According to this theory, from the night of his awakening to the night of his departure to nirvana, the Buddha did not utter a single word at all, but his consciousness, like a clear mirror, reflected all the problems with which people came to him and gave them a silent answer, which they verbalized in in the form of different sutras. Thus, the doctrines of all sutras are conventional (conventional) and make sense only in the context of the “questioning” that brought them to life.