Thus I have heard, at one time, the Bhagavan (World Honored

One) was dwelling in the city of Shravasti at the Jeta Grove, in the

Garden of the Benefactor of Orphans and the Solitary (Ananthapindada), together with his regular disciples of twelve hundred and fifty

great Bhikshus and twelve thousand Maha Bodhisattvas Sangha in all.

At that time the devas in Trayastrimsha Heaven were also having

a gathering in the Good Dharma Hall. Among them was a devaputra by

the name of Susthita who, together with the other great devaputras,

was frolicking in the garden and courtyard, enjoying in the supremely

wonderful bliss of heavenly life. Surrounded by devis they were

extremely happy - singing, dancing and entertaining themselves.

Soon after nightfall, Devaputra Susthita suddenly heard a voice

in space saying, "Devaputra Susthita, you have only seven days left

to live. After death, you will be reborn in Jambudvipa (Earth) as an

animal for seven successive lives. Then you will fall into the hells

to undergo more sufferings. Only after fulfilling your karmic

retribution will you be reborn in the human realm, but to a humble

and destitute family, while in the mother's womb you will be without

eyes and born blind."

On hearing this, Devaputra Susthita was so terrified that his

hair stood on end. Tormented and distressed, he rushed over to the

palace of Lord Sakra. Bursting into tears and not knowing what else

to do, he prostrated himself at the feet of Lord Sakra, telling Lord

Sakra of what had happened.

"As I was enjoying the frolic of dance and songs with the

heavenly devis, I suddenly heard a voice in space telling me that I

had only seven days left, and that I would fall into Jambudvipa

after death, remaining there in the animal realm for seven successive

lives. Following that, I would fall into the various hells to endure

greater sufferings. Only after my karmic retribution had been fulfilled

would I reborn as a human, and even then I would be born without eyes

in a poor and disreputable family. Lord of Heaven, how can I escape

from such sufferings?"

Lord Sakra immediately calmed his mind to enter Samadhi and made

careful observations. Instantly, he saw that Susthita would undergo

seven successive evil paths in the forms of a pig, dog, jackal, monkey

, python, crow and vulture, all feeding on filth and putrescence.

Having seen the seven future rebirth forms of Devaputra Susthita, Lord

Sakra was shattered and was filled with great sorrow, but could not

think of any way to help Susthita. He felt that only the Tathagata,

Arhate, Samyak-sambuddha could save Susthita from falling into the

great sufferings of evil destines.

Thus, soon after nightfall that very day, Lord Sakra prepared

various types of flower wreaths, perfume and incense. Adorning himself

with fine Deva garments and bearing these offerings, Lord Sakra made

his way to the garden of Ananthapindada, abode of the World Honored

One. Upon arrival, Lord Sakra first prostrated himself at the Buddha's

feet in reverence, then circumambulated the Buddha seven times

clockwise in worship, before laying out his great Puja (offerings).

Kneeling in front of the Buddha, Lord Sakra described the future

destiny of Devaputra Susthita who would soon fall into the evil paths

with seven successive rebirths in the animal realm with details of his

subsequent retribution.

Instantly, the usnisa (crown of the head) of the Tathagata

radiated multiple rays of light, illuminating the world in all ten

directions, the light then returned, circling the Buddha three times

before entering His mouth. Then the Buddha smiled and said to Lord

Sakra, "Lord of Heaven, there is a Dharani known as the 'Usnisa Vijaya

Dharani'. It can purify all evil paths, completely eliminating all

sufferings of birth and death. It can also liberate all miseries and

sufferings of beings in the realms of hell, King Yama and animal,

destroy all the hells, and transfer sentient beings onto the virtuous

path."

"Lord of Heaven, if one hears this Usnisa Vijaya Dharani once,

all the bad karma incurred from his previous lives that should cause

him to fall into hells will be destroyed altogether. He will instead

acquire a fine and pure body. Wherever he is reborn, he will clearly

remember the Dharani - from one Buddhahood to another, from one

heavenly realm to another heavenly realm. Indeed, throughout the

Trayastrimsha Heaven, wherever he is reborn, he will not forget."

"Lord of Heaven, if someone at death's door recalls this

divine Dharani, even for just a moment, his lifespan will be extended

and he will acquire purification of body, speech and mind. Without

suffering any physical pain and in accordance with his meritorious

deeds, he will enjoy tranquility everywhere. Receiving blessings from

all the Tathagatas, and constantly guarded by devas and protected by

Bodhisattvas, he will be honored and respected by people, and all

the evil hindrances will be eradicated."

"Lord of Heaven, if anyone can sincerely read or recite this

Dharani even for a short period of time, all his karmic retribution

which would lead him to suffer in the hells, the animal realm, the

realm of King Yama and the hungry ghost realm, will be completely

destroyed and eradicated without leaving any trace. He will be free

to go to any of the Buddhas' Pure lands and heavenly palace; all

gateways leading to the Bodhisattvas' abode are open to him

unobstructed."

After hearing the above discourse, Lord Sakra immediately

appealed to the Buddha, "For the sake of all sentient beings, may the

World Honored One kindly give a discourse on how one's lifespan can

be lengthened."

The Buddha was aware of Lord Sakra's intention and his

eagerness to hear His discourse on this Dharani and so immediately

proclaimed the Mantra thus:

"NAMO BHAGAVATE TRAILOKYA PRATIVISISTAYA BUDDHAYA BHAGAVATE.

TADYATHA, OM, VISUDDHAYA-VISUDDHAYA, ASAMA-SAMA SAMANTAVABHASA-

SPHARANA GATI GAHANA SVABHAVA VISUDDHE, ABHINSINCATU MAM. SUGATA

VARA VACANA AMRTA ABHISEKAI MAHA MANTRA-PADAI. AHARA-AHARA AYUH

SAM-DHARANI. SODHAYA-SODHAYA, GAGANA VISUDDHE. USNISA VIJAYA

VISUDDHE. SAHASRA-RASMI, SAMCODITE, SARVA TATHAGATA AVALOKANI,

SAT-PARAMITA, PARIPURANI, SARVA TATHAGATA MATI DASA-BHUMI,

PRATI-STHITE, SARVA TATHAGATA HRDAYA ADHISTHANADHISTHITA MAHA-MUDRE.

VAJRA KAYA, SAM-HATANA VISUDDHE. SARVAVARANA APAYA DURGATI,

PARI-VISUDDHE, PRATI-NIVARTAYA AYUH SUDDHE. SAMAYA ADHISTHITE.

MANI-MANI MAHA MANI. TATHATA BHUTAKOTI PARISUDDHE. VISPHUTA BUDDHI

SUDDHE. JAYA-JAYA, VIJAYA-VIJAYA, SMARA-SMARA. SARVA BUDDHA ADHISTHITA

SUDDHE. VAJRI VAJRAGARBHE, VAJRAM BHAVATU MAMA SARIRAM. SARVA

SATTVANAM CA KAYA PARI VISUDDHE. SARVA GATI PARISUDDHE. SARVA

TATHAGATA SINCA ME SAMASVASAYANTU. SARVA TATHAGATA SAMASVASA

ADHISTHITE, BUDDHYA-BUDDHYA, VIBUDDHYA-VIBUDDHYA, BODHAYA-BODHAYA,

VIBODHAYA-VIBODHAYA. SAMANTA PARISUDDHE. SARVA TATHAGATA HRDAYA

ADHISTHANADHISTHITA MAHA-MUDRE SVAHA."

(This Usnisa Vijaya Dharani is the improved version with some

additions to the original Sanskrit transliteration)

Then the Buddha told Lord Sakra, "The above Mantra is known as

the 'Purifying All Evil Paths' Usnisa Vijaya Dharani'. It can

eliminate all evil karmic hindrances and eradicate the suffering of

all evil paths."

"Lord of Heaven, this great Dharani is proclaimed together by

by Buddhas as numerous as eighty-eight kotis (hundred million) of the

grains of sand of the Ganges River. All Buddhas rejoice and uphold this

Dharani that is verified by the wisdom seal of the Maha Vairocana

Tathagata. This is because in the evil paths, to liberate them from

painful retribution in hell, animal and King Yama's realms; to deliver

beings facing immediate danger of falling into the sea of birth and

death (samsara); to assist helpless beings with short life spans and

poor fortune and to deliver beings who like to commit all kinds of evil

deeds. Moreover, because of its dwelling and being upheld in the Jambu-

dvipa world, the power manifested by this Dharani would cause all beings

in hells and other evil realms; those with poor fortune and revolving

in the cycles of birth and death; those not believing in the existence

of good and evil deeds and are deviated from the proper path, to attain

deliverance."

Again Buddha reminded Lord Sakra, "I now entrust this divine Dharani

to you. you should in turn transmit it to Devaputra Susthita. In addition

, you yourself should receive and uphold it, recite, contemplate and treasure

it, memories and revere it. This Dharani Mudra should be widely proclaimed

to all beings in the Jambu-dvipa world. I also entrust this to you, for the

benefit of all heavenly beings, that this Dharani Mudra should be proclaimed.

Lord of Heaven, you should diligently uphold and protect it, never letting it

to be forgotten or lost."

"Lord of Heaven, if someone hears this Dharani even for just a moment,

he will not undergo karmic retribution from the evil karma and severe

hindrances accumulated from thousands of kalpas ago, that would otherwise

cause him to revolve in the cycles of birth and death - in all kinds of life

forms in the evil paths - hell, hungry ghost, animal, realm of King Yama,

Asuras, Yaksa, Raksasa, ghosts and spirits, Putana, Kataputana, Apasmara,

mosquitoes, gnats, tortoises, dogs, pythons, birds, ferocious animals,

crawling creatures and even ants and other life forms. Owing to the merits

accrued from hearing for a moment this Dharani, once this very life is over,

he will be reborn in the Buddha lands, together with all the Buddhas and

Ekajati-pratibaddha Bodhisattvas, or in a distinguished Brahmin or Ksatriya

family, or in some other wealthy and reputable family. Lord of Heaven, this

man can be reborn in one of the above-mentioned prosperous and reputable

families simply because he has heard this Dharani, and hence be reborn in a

pure place."

"Lord of Heaven, even acquiring the most victorious Bodhimanda is a

result of praising the meritorious virtues of this Dharani. Hence, this

Dharani is also known as the Auspicious Dharani, which can purify all evil

paths. This Usnisa Vijaya Dharani is like a Treasury of Sun Mani Pearl -

pure and flawless, clear as space, its brilliance illuminating and all-

pervading. If any beings uphold this Dharani, likewise will they be bright

and pure. This Dharani is similar to the Jambunada gold - bright, pure, and

soft, can not be tainted by filth and well-liked by all who see it. Lord

of Heaven, beings who uphold this Dharani are just as pure. By virtue of

this pure practice, they will be reborn in the good paths."

"Lord of Heaven, where this Dharani dwells, if it is written for

distribution, propagated, received and upheld, read and recited, heard and

revered, this will cause all evil paths to be purified; miseries and

sufferings in all hells will be completely eradicated."

Buddha again told Lord Sakra cautiously, "If someone could write

this Dharani and place It on the top of a tall banner, high mountain or

in a tall building or even keep It in a stupa; Lord of Heaven! If there

are bhiksus or bhiksunis, Upasakas or Upasikas, laymen or laywomen who

have seen this Dharani atop the above structures; or if the shadows of

these structures should fall on beings who come near to the structures,

or particles of dust from the written Dharani are blown onto their bodies;

Lord of Heaven: Should the accumulated evil karma of these beings cause

them to fall into the evil paths such as realms of hell, animal, King Yama,

hungry ghost, Asura and other, they will all be spared from the evil paths,

and they will not be tainted with filth and defilement. Lord of Heaven!

Instead, all Buddhas will bestow predictions (Vyakarana) onto these beings

who will never regress from the path to Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi (complete

enlightenment)."

"Lord of Heaven, let alone if one makes various offerings of flower

wreaths, perfumes, incense, banners and flags, canopies decorated with

gems, clothing, necklaces of precious stones, etc, to adorn and honor this

Dharani; and at major routes, if one builds special stupas to house this

Dharani, then most respectfully with palms together circumambulates the

pagoda, bowing and taking refuge, Lord of Heaven, those who make such

offerings are called the great Mahasattvas, Buddha's true disciples, and

the pillars of Dharma. Such stupas will be regarded as the Tathagata's

complete body sharira-stupa."

At that time, in the early part of the night, the ruler of the Hell

Realm - King Yama. came to the abode of the Buddha. First, using various

Deva garments, beautiful flowers, perfumes and other adornments, he made

offerings to the Buddha, then circumambulated the Buddha seven times before

prostrating himself at the feet of the Buddha in reverence, saying, "I heard

that the Tathagata was giving a discourse in praise of upholding the

powerful Dharani; I have come with the intention to learn and cultivate

it. I shall constantly guard and protect those who uphold, read and recite

this powerful Dharani, not allowing them to fall into hell because they

have followed the teachings of the Tathagata."

At this time, the four Guardians of the world - the Caturmaharajas

(Four Heavenly Kings) circumambulated the Buddha three times, and most

respectfully said, " World Honored One, may the Tathagata kindly explain

in detail the way to uphold this Dharani."

The Buddha then told the Four Heavenly Kings, "Please listen

attentively, for your benefit as well as for the benefit of all beings

with short life spans, I will now explain the method to uphold this Dharani.

On a full-moon day - the 15th day of the lunar month, one should first

bathe oneself and put on new clothes, uphold the profound precepts and

recite this Dharani a 1000 times. This will cause one to lengthen one's

lifespan, and be permanently free from the sufferings of illness; all one's

karmic hindrances will be completely eradicated. One will also be liberated

from suffering in hell. If birds, animals and other sentient beings hear

this Dharani once, they will never again be reborn in these impure and

gross body forms once their lives have ended."

The Buddha continued, "If someone from a serious disease hears this

Dharani, he will be free from the disease. All other illnesses will also be

eradicated, so too will the evil karma that will cause him to fall into the

evil paths. He will be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss after the end of

his life. From then onwards he will no longer be born from the womb. Instead

, wherever he is reborn, he will be born transformed from the lotus flower

and would always remember and uphold this Dharani and gain knowledge of

his past lives."

The Buddha added, "If someone has committed all the severe evil

deeds before his death, according to his sinful deeds, he ought to fall

into one of these realms of hell, animals, King Yama or hungry ghosts, or

even into the big Avichi Hells, or be reborn as an aquatic creature, or in

one of the many forms of birds and animals. If someone could obtain part

of the skeleton of the deceased, and holding a fistful of soil, chant this

Dharani 21 times before scattering the soil over the bones, then the

deceased will be reborn in heaven."

The Buddha further added, "If one can chant this Dharani 21 times

daily, one is worthy of accepting all the immense worldly offerings and

will be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss after one's death. If one

chants this Dharani constantly, one will attain Maha Parinirvana and be

able to lengthen one's lifespan besides enjoying the most extraordinary

bliss. After one's life is over, one will reborn in any of the wonderful

Buddha lands, in constant company of the Buddhas. All Tathagatas will always

give discourses on the profound and wonderful truth of Dharma and all World

Honored Ones will bestow predictions of enlightenment upon one. The light

illuminating from one's body will pervade all Buddha lands."

The Buddha further explained, "To recite this Dharani, one should

first, in front of the Buddha's image, use some clean soil to construct

a square Mandala, the size according to one's wish. On top of the Mandala

one should spread different kinds of grass, flowers and burn different

kinds of quality incense. Then kneeling down with the right knee on the

floor, mindfully reciting the Buddha's name and with the hands in the

Mudrani symbol, (i.e. each hand bending the forefinger before and pressing

it down with the thumb and placing both palms together before the chest)

in reverence, one should recite this Dharani 108 times. The showers of

flowers would rain down from the clouds and would thus be universally

made as offerings to Buddhas as numerous as the grains of sand of eighty-

eight million Ganges Rivers. These Buddhas will simultaneously praise,

"Excellent! Rare indeed! A Buddha's true disciple! " One will instantly

attain Unobstructed Wisdom Samadhi and the Great Bodhi Mind Adorned

Samadhi. Thus is the way to uphold this Dharani."

The Buddha again exhorted Lord Sakra, saying, "Lord of Heaven,

the Tathagata uses this expedient means to deliver beings who would

otherwise have fallen into hells; to purify all evil paths and to lengthen

the life-spans of those who uphold this Dharani. Lord of Heaven, please

go back and transmit this Dharani to Devaputra Susthita. After seven days

, come to see me with Devaputra Susthita."

Thus, at the abode of the World Honored One, the Lord of Heaven

respectfully received this Dharani practice and returned to his heavenly

palace to convey it to Devaputra Susthita."

Having received this Dharani, Devaputra Susthita kept to the

practice as instructed for six days and six nights, after which all his

wishes were completely fulfilled. The karma which should have led him to

suffer in all the evil paths were all eradicated. He would remain on the

Bodhi Path and increase his lifespan for an immeasurable period of time.

Thus, he was extremely delighted, exclaiming aloud in praise,

"Extraordinary Tathagata! What a rare and wonderful Dharma! Its efficacy

explicity verified! Rare indeed! Truly I have thus obtained deliverance!"

When the seven days were over, Lord Sakra brought Devaputra

Susthita, together with other heavenly beings, respectfully bearing

excellent and wonderful adornment of flower-wreaths, perfumes, incense,

jeweled banners, canopies decorated with gemstones, Deva-garments and

garland of precious stones, approached Buddha's abode and presented their

grand offerings. Using heavenly garments and various garlands of precious

stones to make offerings to the World Honored One, they then respectfully

circumambulated the Buddha a hundred thousand times, paid homage to the

Buddha, then happily took their seats and listened to the Buddha preach

the Dharma.

The World Honored One then extended his golden arm and touched

the crown of Devaputra Susthita, to whom He not only preached the Dharma

but bestowed a prediction of Devaputra Susthita's attainment to Bodhi.

Finally, the Buddha said, "This Sutra shall be known as the 'Purifying

All Evil Paths' Usnisa Vijaya Dharani'. You should diligently uphold it."

On hearing this Dharma, the entire assembly was extremely happy.

They faithfully accepted and respectfully practiced it.