Apart from the fundamental Mahavairocana and Vajrasekhara Sutras, Buddhist masters who compiled the Tripitaka (three ‘baskets’ of Sutras on: Doctrine, Law and Essay) have translated other Sutras from Sanskrit to Chinese. The work was the merit of devoted Chinese Emperors who gave orders for the translation, publication and teaching of the Sutras. They are grouped under the secret scriptures section of the Tripitaka or Great Store Sutra and have been transmitted up to today.
The formulation of basic secret doctrines that belong to the secret sect is not very difficult, although there are hundreds of Sutras preaching different Dharanis for the following reasons:

1) The Sutras of Secret Buddhism emphasize spiritual applications over theories.
2) Although there are many completely different details, all the Sutras have these points in common: the place of the Dharma assembly, the audience, the opportunity for the lecture, the rules on altar setting, on drawing or painting the statues, on Homa ceremony, on praising the merits of Dharani, the titles of the Buddhas supporting the Dharanis, and their recommendations.
3) There are many Dharanis. However one needs to practice just one mantra and all other Dharanis will also be successful.
4) The section on Secret Buddhism Doctrine in the Tripitaka contains 25 volumes of Dharanis. They are:
The Buddha’s collection: introduced by the Buddhas
The Lotus’ collection: Kwan Yin’s Dharani introduced by the saints.
Vajra’s collection: Vajrapani’s Dharani introduced by the saints.
Ratna’s collection: Buddha’s Dharani introduced by Deities and saints. Karmadana’s collection: Buddha’s Dharani introduced by the Gods and Demons.

Each of the five volumes has 5 sub-categories, altogether 25 sets.
The merits from reciting the Dharanis, and the benefits that these 25 volumes of Dharanis offer are innumerable. It is summarized in the following 10 subjects:

1. Support for the King and his kingdom.
2. Elimination of bad Karma and protection from evil.
3. Cures physical and mental illnesses, adds blessing and intelligence.
4. Definite realization of all wishes.
5. Benefit to sentient beings and salvation from darkness.
6. The mother of all Buddhas teaching the original Vow’s virtue.
7. The Diamond God’s protection for all regardless of religious faith.
8. Union with the Buddha at the time of death.
9. Provides the extra strength and self- strength to reach enlightenment.
10. The Buddhas themselves need to pray for the Dharani.

FIRST: SUPPORT FOR THE KING AND HIS KINGDOM.

From Secret Store Dharani Sutra: “Dharani is able to protect the King and appease his people.”
From Peace Preserving Dharani Sutra: ” In the countries where Dharanis circulate, it gives the King true power. It supports the Queen, the King’s consort, Prince and Princess, the Prime Minister and the King’s cabinet. It gives peace and happiness for all. It replaces enemies in or out of the country, plots and treachery from the subjects, epidemic diseases, hunger, misery, drought, flood, wild beasts, and harmful germs, with wealth, abundance, prosperous crops, safety and peace.”
From Precious Store Dharani: “where the Dharani circulates, it supports the King and his family, his generals and officers. It eliminates disasters produced by the wrath of ghosts and Demons. It fulfills all wishes. The Devas give their blessings.” The country has these ten benefits:

1. The country has no enemies or invaders.
2. It has no disasters caused by unusual stars.
3. It has no evil spirits causing diseases and epidemics.
4. It has no windstorm, hail storm, fire, frost or calamities.
5. It has no foes and spies.
6. It has no harmful ghosts.
7. It has no sudden, unknown deaths.
8. It has plenty of five grains and sweet fruits.
9. It has the celestial Dragon giving favorable weather without droughts or floods.
10. It has no ferocious wild beasts such as tiger, panther or wolf.
From Seven Buddhas Dharanis Sutra: “If the sun or moon errs on its path Dharanis will have it corrected. Dharanis change bad crops into good ones. It ends disloyalty, betrayal, diseases and wars. If Kings of men desire safety and happiness in this life, they should recite Dharanis and advise their queen, prince and princess to do the same.”
From Supporting the Ruler Dharani Sutra: “Why does the Dharani only support the ruler? Would that be unfair to the people? Answer – in truth, the people can only benefit if the ruler is happy and safe. That is why the Dharani only talks about supporting the ruler.
From Avalokitesvara In Green Dress Bodhisattva Sutra: ” Dharani is able to wipe out all disasters, diseases, epidemics, starvation, rebel troops, robbery, war, drought, unfavorable weather and bad stars. Dharani adds blessings. It gives wealth and strength to the country, happiness and long life to its people. From Subahuh Sutra: “There is no other doctrine apart from the Dharanis, which grants favors and happiness to living beings.”

SECOND: ELIMINATION OF BAD KARMA-PROTECTION FROM EVILS.

Long lasting Solemn Bodhi Sutra, Ultimate Winner Recitation Sutra, Immensely Large Palaces Dharani Sutra…. More than twenty other Sutras affirm that writing the Dharanis on trees, fabric, paper, on the wall etc., or copying the Dharani, putting it in Buddha statues, towers, banners, for others to see, to touch or to pass by its shadow are causes of liberation. If the wind carries the dust that was on the banner having the Dharani written on it and touches someone, that person is liberated. By wearing the Dharani on the crown, body or clothing one is blessed. Through the simple hearing of the sounds of bells or even the sound from a conch that has Dharani written on it, one will be liberated of his worst, unpardonable sins and will be reborn in Buddha’s land. The benefits will be much more so for the one who recites the Dharani for himself.

From The Dharma End Stage One Word Sutra: One drives the ghosts and evil spirits that are within 500 miles radius away in four directions by reciting Dharani. Only the spirit who wishes to protect the practitioner can stay. If any spirit plans to stay and cause trouble, the guardian Gods will immediately break his head into hundred of pieces and crush his body and his heart. The practitioner is thus safe to achieve enlightenment.
From The Secret Sutras Collections: “Dharani can eliminate evil obstacles. This should not be disputed. The followers of the Hinayana School, for fear of being troubled by the Demons when they practice the Dharma Flower Sutra, affirm that Dharani has the power to eliminate evil spirits. Their Sutra says, “If evil spirits do not submit to my Dharani, and disturb the mind of the priest, their head will split in seven parts like the branches of the arcaja tree”.
It was written in the Mahayana Commentary Sutra: ” For the practice of meditation, one should recite Dharani to banish evil”.
And in Purpose of Contemplation Sutra: “If ghosts appear during meditation, recite the Mahayana Dharanis and other Dharanis in the Sutra, and recite it again before ending the meditation”.
From The Golden Bright Light Sutra: “Even the tenth stage Bodhisattvas (Dasabhumi) needs Dharani for their protection, let alone the common people”.
From Shuramgama Sutra: “It is not true that one can just sit at the altar and make the ghosts go away without reciting the Dharani”, “If people in this ending stage of Buddhism want to practice the Three Secrets, they should be encouraged to recite my Dharani to keep the ghosts away. Evil spirits will not dare come close even if one does not wear the Dharani or recite enough prayers at the temple”. Such texts abound in the secret doctrine storehouse at the time when people are most vulnerable to Demons. Reciting the Dharani for another can protect the person from Demons, let alone reciting it for oneself. It does not make sense for Demons to dare hurt the practitioner.

THIRD: CURES PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ILLNESSES – ADDS BLESSINGS AND INTELLIGENCE

From Sacred Six Words Dharani Sutra, Wen Shu One Word Sutra, and more than 15 other Sutras: “Dharanis can end sufferings from physical and mental illnesses caused by the four elements, the five body organs, evil spirits, or by the retribution of karma. The indisputable force of Dharani can eliminate all”.
From Recitation of the Dharani Sutra, Great Compassion Dharani Sutra: “Even a dead tree can be revived to bear fruits, let alone healing the simple physical diseases. There is nothing Dharani cannot do”.
From Subahuh Sutra, Full Enlightenment Sutra (Susiddhikara-mahatantra-sadhanopayika-patala): “To pray for highest achievement, one must not use Dharani to help the Atulas forbid the worms and snakes from curing illnesses. Doing this hinders high achievement. One should carefully follow Buddha’s instructions. However, if the person has true compassion of a Bodhisattva, it will not hinder his attainment.
From Amogha-pasa Sutra (name of a Boddhisattva in the Garbhakhosa Mandala): To perform exorcism, one must purify bad karmas and have enough compassion. This is usually the work of a Bodhisattva.
From Sitatapatra (white canopy that shades all) Sutra”: If one is unable to get rid of his long standing greediness, he must devotedly recite the Dharani of Buddha. The power of Dharani has ended Matanga’s long-standing love relationship for Ananda, allowing him to attain the Arhat rank. For this courtesan who never cultivated the way, the power of Dharani helped her attain the Position of Completed Study (4th rank of sagehood in the Sutra system). So much more could be done for the person who fervently wished for enlightenment.
From Great Essay on Wish Fulfilling Compassion Dharani Sutra: “The fire of lust will be extinguished and evil intention eliminated”. The Sutra says: “The Dharani practitioner was given more intelligence and blessings. His words are trusted. One can freely use one’s material wealth in 50 yohanas (1 yohana= 100 years), and earn respect from human, Devas and Demons. One understands all philosophies, essays, treatises and books of this world naturally. One never forgets anything and can memorize up to a thousand invocations in a day”.
From The Brilliant Buddha’s Crown, Great White Canopy of Light, Unsurpassed Spiritual Samadhi Dharani: “If the practitioner of the Dharani does not have any merits, the Buddhas of the ten directions will give him their own”. On the other hand, “If a good man faithfully recites the Dharani but remains a stupid person, then the Buddhas of the ten directions have lied.” It is also said: Perseverance and intelligence will be granted to who is so lacking. Just as the medicinal herb of this world can add to mental energy without sleep or rest, it is not impossible for Dharani to add to one’s intelligence.
From Amogha-pasa Dharani Heart Sutra: If anyone is fasting and observes the precepts, and focuses strictly on the reciting Dharani seven times 108, without mixing with any common words, they will surely have the 20 ultimate benefits listed below:
1. The person does not get sick, he feels secure and happy.
2. Even when sickness arises due to previous karma, healing will be fast.
3. The person has a beautiful body constitution, and good complexion.
4. The person earns love and respect from everyone.
5.The person has invisible protection for the five senses (Sight, hearing, smell, touch & taste)
6. Abundance of material wealth that one uses at will.
7. The person’s wealth is safeguarded and will not be seized upon by the king or lost through natural disasters.
8. One has success in all actions and plans.
9. Crops and other produce are protected from Dragons, frost, tornado or flood.
10.If disasters happen to the rice crops, recite 7 times 108 on water or ashes and sprinkle it down the rice fields, in eight directions, above and below. Disasters will be eliminated.
11.Evil spirits and Demons cannot harm one’s vital energy.
12.One enjoys the happiness, respect and never-ending adoration from others.
13.The person has no fear of his enemies.
14.Any enemies will be quickly subdued.
15.Protection from human and non-human’s harm.
16.Protection from witchcraft, voodoos, poisons and spells.
17.Protection from sorrows, reproaches and subjection to indignities.
18.Protection from knife, poisons, flood, and fire.
19.Deities, and benevolent Gods are the person’s guardians.
20.The person remains forever close to people with compassion and leniency.

From Kwan Yin’s Eleven Faces Dharani Sutra: ” If the faithful good man or woman practices and recites Dharani, the following benefits will be granted:
1. The body has no sickness.
2.. The Buddhas of 10 directions grants longevity.
3. Unending properties, food and clothing.
4. Able to subdue the enemies without having any
fear.
5. Earning respect and obedience from noble people.
6. Unharmed by poison and evil spirits.
7. Unharmed by all kinds of knives or canes.
8. Will not be drowned by water.
9. Will not be burnt by fire.
10. Will not die suddenly or by unclear causes.

FOURTH: DEFINITE REALIZATION OF ALL WISHES.

From Rites on Kwan Yin’s worship, Rites on Wen Shou worship, Spinning Word On The Crown Sutra and more than 10 other volumes: “To wish for result, the practitioner needs to use the following:
1. Bow, arrows, cleaver, hammer, hook, string, rosary, bowl, robe… all the monks’ belongings.
2. Realgar, Orpiment and other medicine.
3. Mix the soil from the riverbank with soft mud and shape it into animal species that walk and run: lion, elephant, horse, buffalo or species that fly: chicken,
goose, peacock, bird.
4. Mold, paint or sculpt Buddhas, Bodhisattvas or Wisdom King statues according to one’s liking.
Put the above items on the altar, and recite the corresponding Dharani until sparks of fire are emitted from any item. Then either hold the item in the hand or rub it on the body, or ride on it. He will be able to fly and can have his friend fly together with him. People who see them will also be able to fly and journey all over the world. They can visit and make offerings to the Buddhas. They will all live up to one kalpa (an indefinite length of time) and will attain the first of the ten stages of Buddhahood.
If smoke is emitted, take the item in the hand or rub it on the body, one will become King in the Immortal’s land and live hundreds of millions years. If hot air is emitted, one will be respected and loved by human and celestial beings. All his wishes will be fulfilled”.
Below are the respective levels of achievement: High, Average and Low:
-If the light of fire appears – Support from Deities and respect from eightfold division of guardian Gods. Achieving all other Dharanis.
-If smoke appears – Safety inside or out of the home. All wishes fulfilled.
-If hot air appears – Love and respect from human beings, Deities and Demons.
In India, there was one who achieved the High level. He took 500 people with him up in the air. Here, in China, a man named Huai’ Nan Wang recited the Dharani while he prepared a medicine potion. The chickens and dogs came by and licked the left over medicine in the cauldron. They were seen up in the air. That’s why we have this saying: “Huai’ Nan’s enlightenment, the dogs barked in the clouds. Wa’ng Qiao becoming Imortal, swords flew in the sky.” Such is the power of simple worldly medicine, let alone the indisputable power of the Buddha’s Dharani.

From Magical Transfiguration Petition: “There are people who deny the efficiency of the Dharani by saying that the idea of people flying in the daylight is pure fabrication. The people who say that have never practiced the Dharani”.
From Great Teacher King Dharani Sutra: “…or to help him marry the Dragon King’s daughter; to make Yakscha his servant, to have authority to go in the palace of Asura. He can recite Dharani to a corpse who will tell him how to find precious metals underground, how to change common medicine into holy elixir, or to show him the directions to the treasure trove.
People seldom hear about Dharani doctrine in the Theravada School. That is why the enlightened sage of the past says,” Apart from the three vehicles, Dharani is really a doctrine for realization.”

*Question: If Buddha wants to end greed, anger, and stupidity, why does he make people greedy?

*Answer: The Buddhas have many means beyond one’s thought or comprehension to save people. For people that cannot understand the Bodhi Doctrine, they are made to recite Dharani to fulfill their wishes. Through the power of Dharani, which is certain, their wishes come true, all their sins and bad karma vanish, and they naturally become special and saintly. When a sick child refuses to take the medicine, the wise physician applies the medicine to the mother’s breast, so the child can get the milk without knowing he had taken in the medicine.
The Book of Dharani also said that if anyone craves so much for wealth and fame and must resort to flattery to get it, once he hears this Dharani, he would forever have the blessing to gain wisdom. From Magical Transformation Petition Sutra: Even the 10th rank Bodhisattvas do not belong in the realms of Dharani, let alone sentient beings in this samsara (world of life and death).

THỨ NĂM: LỢI LẠC HỮU TÌNH CỨU THOÁT U LINH.
Great Precious Immensely Large Palace Sutra, Great Compassion Sutra, Crystal Spear Dharani Sutra…. and more than 15 volumes of Sutras say, “If a person sees the Dharani practitioner or hears his voice, or crosses his shadow, that person’s ten serious offenses and the five grave sins will be eliminated. He will be reborn in the Buddha’s Pure Land. Everything that comes in contact with the practitioner and falls onto others will have the effect of erasing their sins and allowing rebirth in the Buddhas’ land or from the lotus flower”.
When the Dharani practitioner walks on the road and the wind touches him, then goes on to touch any other beings, their negative karma gets purified and it causes them to have a rebirth in the Pure Lands of the Buddha.
When such a person goes into the water to take a bath and recites the Dharani, the water that touches the person’s body gets blessed, and then this blessed water purifies all sentient beings that come in contact with it.
When such a person is on top of a mountain and recites the Dharani, whatever meets his eyes will become purified. If he looks up and recites the Dharani, the raindrop that falls on his face and then touches any other beings, will liberate them. The analogy can be seen with the wind carrying germs and spread deadly diseases when it comes in contact with human beings. Those are only worldly germs, let alone the indisputable power of the Dharani.
The Book of Dharani Sutra says, “Even when a person blasphemed the Dharani after hearing it, he still benefits. For example, a person may chop down, break, stamp on and sabotage the Aquilaria (Camphor) trees in the forest as much as he could, the nice fragrance of those trees still stay on him”.

Therefore the Buddha’s Crown Sutra says, “The Magical Transformation Powers of the Dharani gate is truly the highest.” Immaculate Peaceful Light, Amogha-pasa Boddhisattva, The Buddha’s Crown, Wish-Fulfilling Sutras say: “When a person with bad karma dies, he will fall into the three jails of hell. If the Dharani practitioner calls the first and last name and the age of the dying person and devotedly recites the Dharani, that person’s soul will depart from the realm of wild beasts to be reborn in the superior heaven. If the practitioner recites the Dharani to the soil surrounding the grave, or to the lotus flower on the grave or on the dead body, the latter will be instantly reborn in the Pure Land of the Buddhas. In addition, if the shadow of the practitioner is cast upon the clothing or anything pertaining to the dead, or the corpse itself, the latter will be born in the Pure Lands of Buddhas. If the Dharani is copied then put on the skeleton, his soul will be reborn in the heaven’s palace.
Therefore, the sage of the past said, “Dust falling down from the practitioner and his shadow allow one to stroll the heaven’s palace. His scattering and sprinkling of holy water helps the soul out of wild beasts’ realms”.

*Question: If a dead person had bad karma that led him to the three jails in hell, why would the saying of his name or reciting Dharani to the soil, the grave or to his remains help him avoid sufferings and enjoy Buddha’s land? This is hard to believe for the laymen as well as the monks.

*Answer: People can prohibit the voodoos, stop the fire from burning, stop the knife from causing injuries, and stop the snake from biting. One can also neutralize most poisons. Since the Dharani of the Buddha can do all of the above and much more, of course the Dharni could easily change miseries into happiness.

Zhuang Tzu said: “the sage considers, but does not argue anything beyond the six elements (Heaven, Earth, East, West, South, and North). The Avatamsaka (Kegon Kya, Hoa-Yen King) Sutra says: “Even the 9th stage Bodhisattva does not know about the intelligence and the merits of the 10th stage Bodhisattva, how could anything be known about the Tathagata, who is the King of all saints, the One who holds the Secret Mind Seal? A common person cannot use his ambitious mind to compare and to argue. Look at the fish in the bottom of the well, how can it know the width and depth of the East Ocean? It just has to believe firmly.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Secret Store Dharani Sutra says: “The Dharani practitioner will be successful in everything if he has absolute faith,” “the Dharani practitioner also has the power to benefit sentient beings and save sinful souls.”
Thousand Ears and Eyes Great Compassion Dharani Sutra says:” The Dharani practitioner does not suffer these 15 bad deaths:
1. One does not die from miseries of hunger and thirst.
2. One does not die from being bound and beaten.
3. One does not die from his enemies’ plots.
4. One does not die from fights at the battlefield.
5. One does not get hurt by tigers or panthers.
6. One does not get hurt by centipedes.
7. One does not die from being drowned or burned.
8. One does not die from accidental poison ingestion
9. One does not die from being poisoned.
10. One does not die in an insane state.
11. One does not die from being crushed by mountains or fallen trees.
12. One does not die from magic spells.
13. One does not get hurt by wicked Demons.
14. One does not die from chronic severe illnesses.
15. One does not die from his own bad karma.
Amogha-pasa Dharanis Sutra says: ” The Dharani practitioner has these 8 advantages at the time of death:
1. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva appears in the form of a monk and comforts the person.
2. The death is peaceful and not filled with agony.
3. At the time of death, the eyes will not roll up, the mouth will not be deformed, the hands will be loose, the legs will stretch out in a relaxed manner; there will be no excrement. The person will not fall off the bed.
4. The mind will remain peaceful, the thoughts in order thanks to right thinking (Samyak-Snoti).
5. The face will not be turned downward.
6. At the time of death, the talent for communication remains endless.
7. After the death, according to one’s aspiration, there will be rebirth in the Pure Lands of Buddhas.
8. The person will frequently be with good friends.

Kwan Yin’s Eleven Faces Sutra says: The Dharani practitioner has 4 good deeds:
1. Buddhas will appear at the time of death.
2. Following death, the soul will not fall into the wild beast realm.
3. Death is not brought by accident or disasters.
4. The person gets reborn in paradise.

SIXTH: MOTHER OF ALL BUDDHAS TEACHING THE VIRTUES OF THE ORIGINAL VOW.

All Buddhas were born from Dharani.
The Immensely Large Palace Sutra says: “Dharani is the mother of Buddhas; it is the seed-syllable of the Buddhas. Without Dharani, there will be no enlightenment. The three stores of Sutras originate from Dharani”.
The Supreme Mayahana Precious King Sutra talks about 4 kinds of vehicles:
1. The vehicle of the Intellectuals (Sravaka-Yana)
2. The vehicle of Prateyka- Buddhas (Prateyka-Budha Yana)
3. The Broad and Great Vehicle (Maha-Yana)
4. The vehicle of the Supreme Diamond. This is the Store of Dharanis.
The Magical Transformation Petition says: “Thousands of lineages, and thousands of sects come from Mt. Ji Shi in Gun Lun; 12 chapters of Sutras comes from the store of secret Dharani Sutra, thousands of virtues also come from Dharani. This means that every word of Dharani is the formlessness doctrine where all virtues originate”.
-The Store of Rituals For Dharani Recitation Sutra says: “OM comes from the formlessness doctrine”.
The Magical Transformation Petition says: “The realm of the formlessness doctrine is composed of Dharani. Dharani is also called the three stores. It contains all the virtues. Dharani has everything: Precepts, Stillness, and Wisdom. Thousand of virtues are contained in the six paramitas (perfections), and in the three studies (Doctrine, Discipline, and Metaphysics). The Dharani is the summary of all virtues. Any other doctrines are its tributaries”.

*Question: The above Sutras say that Dharani is the meditation store, bringing about hundreds of thousands of Samadhi. It also says that Dharani contains the three stores, which includes all the schools of meditations. Why are today’s practitioners not allowed to recite Dharani?

*Answer: There were stories from India and China about virtuous Zen masters who always performed good deeds. Would they not recite the Dharanis, which are the formless subject for meditation, the heart seal of Buddha?
Sitatapatra Dharani has this versified text: “The opening of the formless school of meditation brings about gradual observation and revelations on the Diamond Samadhi.” or ” The excellent instruction of yoga transmits the seal of the heart. The Great Vehicle parades the gate of all inclusive Dharani.”
Nagarjuna Bodhisattva, the 14th founder of the Hindu Meditation Sect, copied and summarized the Sutra of Dharani to teach the world the “Cundi Dharani” (a Buddha’s name).
The powers of Dharani were praised by Zen Master Ichigyo, a saint in China. Zhi Zhe, an enlightened Zen master taught the rules and ritual of Dharani practice. When anyone asked the Zen Master Qi Fu about the supreme vehicle, he taught him to recite Dharani. So it is not true that past masters forbid the recitation of Dharani.
In addition, the Sect of Meditation (Zen-Shu, Ch’an-Tsoung) says: All doctrines are the nature of Buddha. Is it not?
There are meditation masters or preachers who are jealous and afraid of losing their advantages when they see the broad transmission of Dharani. Therefore they said things against it.
All who did that either in the past or present had to be cautious about the retribution of karma. Although it has been said that despite ill speaking of Dharani, it still brings benefit, but this benefit is delicate, and that blaspheming is usually punished because Dharani is the Buddha’s Mind Seal. It is protected by numerous kings, Deities, and Dragon Gods. A wise person should be careful about this.

SEVENTH: THE DIAMOND GOD’S PROTECTION TO ALL WHO CULTIVATE THE WAY.
People from the four corners of the world only need to understand language. They can recite the Dharani in a respectful manner when they walk, stand, sit or lie down. Reciting Dharani eliminates worries, gives safety and peace to the person without him having to understand the doctrine. Such as the case of the sick person taking the medicine to cure the sickness without thorough understanding of medical texts.

Prajna Petition Sutra says: “Dharani is like effective medicine, it is the holy water that cures all sicknesses; drinking it gives safety and happiness.
The Buddha’s Crown Dharani Sutra says, ” People will have enough of what they need even if they are not vegetarian or receiving any precepts. People still get the fruit of realization even though it is at far. Disasters will vanish, and good things come within reach. Self-cultivation can save others. From the law of cause and effect, one can achieve everything”.
The Mantrala Petition says: “Whoever recites the Dharani of Buddha, will become one with Buddha. If one recites the secret words of Bodhisattvas, which life and death realms can he not avoid? Which Nirvana can he not reach?”
There are other ways to practice the Way. However one must first thoroughly understand the doctrine of Buddha and must be able to know his own nature before practicing it. This is the right virtue. Not realizing the doctrine and attempting the practice is not the right virtue. For a sick person to study medicine and know the nature of the drugs before he can use it for himself is very hard to do. Such case is only one among thousands. Dharani subject contains the vast merits and can lead people quickly to enlightenment. Thus Dharani is the essential Way”.
Tripitaka master Yi Jing says, “One only needs the help of Dharani to go to heaven and ride a Dragon, or to command a hundred Genies”.

*Question: By exoteric teaching, one begins by having faith; from faith one achieves knowledge; with knowledge one can successfully cultivate the Way. However, Secret teachings say that no knowledge is needed. One only needs to recite Dharani to attain the fruit of realization. This is beyond the common rules, and it is hard to believe.

*Answer: Even though the sick person does not understand the formula of a miraculous prescription, just taking it can still cure him. Why can it cure him while he has no knowledge of the medicine?
In the same way as the medicine of this world is effective even though we may not understand how it works, so too is the Dharani of Buddha effective even though we may not be able to fully comprehend it. Buddha’s teaching is hard to understand with the mind alone. There is a definite difference between exoteric and Secret teachings; therefore one cannot be used to explain the other.
The Beginning of Faith Petition says: “To compress the strings at the neck of the guitar and tune it at the same time or to sit by the tree and wait for a rabbit are equally foolish. Having faith and cultivating it will bring faster result. Without faith it is wasting time in vain.
The Great Compassion Heart Dharani Sutra says: “Reciting Dharani will have realized all the wishes with the condition that there is absolute faith. If doubt arises, all efforts of cultivation through million of life cycles will be in vain. One can never get close to the triple Jewel”. “Dharani eliminates fear. Heaven Dragon and benevolent Deities always safeguard the person’s pupils in his eyes and his life. If he sleeps alone in the mountain or deserted field, Deities will take turn to guard and prevent all disasters. If there is war and looting that cause him to run away to another country and get lost, Deities and the Dragon King will redirect him. If there is drought or lack
of fire in a desolate place the Dragon King will produce fire and water for him”. That is why it is said that if one has the merciful support of the Celestial Dragon, Deities and Saints, one will experience thousands of Samadhis within a short time of practice.”
Most Sutras in the Secret Store say that the Dharani practitioner has countless Dragons, the eightfold division of Deities and the Diamond God to protect him during his four noble postures (walking, standing, lying down and sitting).”

The Great Buddha’s Crown Dharani Sutra says: ” If one is confused, but continues to recite Dharani, there will be eighty four thousand Genies, countless Diamond King Bodhisattvas and their relatives giving their protection day and night, making it impossible for the Ghost King to locate him, and keeping small evil spirits within 10 Yojanas. If the ghost’s relatives try to bring any harm to this good person, the Diamond Gods will use the diamond pestle to break their heads into pieces as small as dust. They will help this person complete his work as he wishes”. From this it is said: eighty four thousand diamond Gods follow and protect the practitioners in his walking, standing, lying down or sitting.
Most Sutras from the secret teachings emphasize the support and protection for the Dharani practitioner. To know more, please read the teachings in the Dharma storehouse.

EIGHTH: UNION WITH BUDDHA AT THE TIME OF DEATH.

When the Dharani practitioner’s life is ending, all actions done by his body, speech and mind, either good or bad become the doctrine of innumerable merits.
The Sitatapatra Sutra says: “After reciting the Dharani 18,000 times, one achieves the samadhi of formlessness and one’s name is “Self Existing Sturdy Diamond Pillar”. One is called Buddha among human beings. Even when one uses bad words to scold or to insult, it is not considered wrong. To the Deities, those are the marvelous sound of Brahma.
The Great Compassion Dharani Sutra says: “Whatever the Dharani practitioner says, either good or bad, all the celestial Dragon hears is the sound of pure doctrine”. Another text says, “Just like magic alchemy transforming metal into gold, Dharani transforms a person into a saint”.
The Magical transformation Sutra says: “Dharani will turn the three karmas of the practitioners into the karmas of Buddhas. Therefore, the Buddhas in the 10 directions of the world will support him”.

NINTH: HAVING BOTH EXTRA AND SELF-STRENGTH TO REACH ENLIGHTENMENT.

Exoteric teaching considers a strength from outside (external power) and an inner strength.
The Essay on the Ten Pillar and Contemplation on the Buddha’s Realm, both say:
1. The gate of self-strength. This gate is the practicing the six cardinal virtues and other numerous virtues. This is difficult and is compared to walking a thousand miles. One will be slow to reach the destination.
2. The gate of extra-strength.
This practice involves calling on the Buddha’s help. This is easy to do, and is compared to sailing downstream with favorable wind. The result is thus faster. Secret Dharani have both strengths:
The Mahayana Precious Solemn King Sutra says: “Everyday, the Dharani practitioner gets all the perfections and merits”.
The Great Buddha’s Crown Recitation: says “One claims to be a vegetarian or claims to observe moral precept when it is not true. Such a person, once hearing the Buddha’s Transcendental Dharani, can attain the rank of Prateyka Buddha”, and “Boddhisattva virtues are achieved depending on one’s practice. Without practicing any virtues and yet having them all is due to the power of Dharani, which contains all virtues. This is true.”
The One Word Dharani In The Dharma Ending Stage Sutra says: “When I enter Nirvana, my body will become this Dharani.” This means the gate of extra-strength. The Great Precious Immense Palace Sutra says: “Even though I have practiced the ascetic way through countless cycles of life, I did not get enlightenment. From hearing the Dharani I became enlightened as my virtues have increased correspondingly.”
The Invocation from Five Words Dharani Sutra: “The strength of the Buddha’s original vow manifests holy deeds”, and ” One will become enlightened without having any good deeds or having gone through the hardships of practice in many life spans.”
The Great Magical Transformation Sutra: “Dharani is the great indisputable vehicle, helping one become Buddha with spiritual powers”. This means if one practices with methods other than Dharani, it is like riding a goat to travel thousand of miles, thus taking a very long time to arrive. Using the Dharani is like covering thousands of miles with the supernatural force. thus reaching destination in a split second of a thought. The destination is the same; the method could be either faster or slower. Other methods are like grinding the stone to get to the wish-fulfilling jade, while Dharani gets it easily with supernatural power”.
The Magical Transformation Petition: ” The Bodhisattvas cultivate the ascetic way and practice difficult virtues. They can be as difficult as trying to put out a fire set on oil. They may be practiced through countless cycles of life without attaining enlightenment. If one cultivates Dharani properly, he will achieve enlightenment in one lifetime. In addition, the Dharani helps to free one from worries or bondage and attain high position”.
The Great Teacher King Sutra says: “If one does not practice according to the secret key of Dharani recitation one cannot fully succeed in the supreme Bodhi Realm.”

TENTH: EVEN THE BUDDHAS, TATHAGATAS PRAY FOR MORE LEARNING.

The Mahayana Precious Solemn King Sutra: “Even the Buddhas themselves aspire to learn Dharani. Should not the common people be reciting it also?”
It says: “Avalokitesvara’ Dharani- (Six Words of Wisdom Dharani) is hidden even to all the Buddhas. How can a Boddhisattva at the human level understand it?
To such an extent it is said: “The Buddha on the lotus flower has already become Buddha, he then devotes himself to studying with other Buddhas, wishing to obtain the Six Words Dharani of Great Wisdom.”
*Question: If the Buddha has adequate intelligence, why doesn’t he know Dharani?
* Answer: There are three intentions:
1. It is to emphasize that this Dharani is the extremely profound teaching that brings victory, and should be respected as such. Therefore it is said that even the Buddha does not know and must seek to learn more from it.
2. The Buddhas mentioned are in the exoteric doctrine such as the Arhat or the Prateyka Buddhas. The highest-ranking position in the Sutra School (exoteric teaching) is not able to understand the supreme encompassing doctrine of Dharani that belongs to the Great Vehicle system (esoteric teaching).
3. The nature of Secret Buddhism Dharani is supreme perfection. It is a Dharma that gives full perfection of achievements. As explained in the Commentary on the Mahayana essay: “Even the Buddhas cannot attain this Dharma of supreme perfection.”

*Question: Why can’t the Buddha achieve the perfect enlightenment?

*Answer: The perfect enlightenment is the Dharma of fundamental nature, which is beyond the law of cause and effect. Therefore the Buddhas cannot achieve it by practicing human virtues and eliminating obstacles but only by grace. Therefore they must pray to achieve it. Venerable Xian Shou said: “The Dharma of supreme perfection is the Realm of Ten Tathagatas.”

The above ten subjects generally outlined the Secret Scriptures were extracted from the Sutras and not from any individual’s own knowledge. The scientific minded person should carefully take this into consideration.