Overall Teaching

The secret vidyās of the Buddhas serve to protect the Dharma, subdue harmful forces, inspire beings towards awakening, and ensure the Dharma’s long abiding in the world. Through Vajrapāṇi’s utterance of these powerful vidyās and the Buddha’s instructions, the assembly witnesses the Dharma’s supreme transformative power, learns the Dharmas that lead bodhisattvas to non-retrogression, fearlessness, and spiritual mastery, and recognises that both wisdom and supernormal power safeguard the True Dharma. Ultimately, the chapter shows that the union of Dharma practice and protective vidyā guarantees both the enlightenment of beings and the longevity of the Buddha’s teaching.

Summary

1. The Vidyā of Apalāla

   • Buddha contemplates revealing a great secret vidyā to help beings and sustain the Buddha-Dharma. He asks Vajrapāṇi Bodhisattva, the Great Lord of Mysteries, if he remembers the great vidyā Buddha had previously uttered to subdue the nāga king Apalāla. Vajrapāṇi confirms and utters the great secret vidyā, causing shaking of the palace and quaking of the earth. The assembly becomes fearful and seeks protection from the Buddha. Buddha assures the assembly that these events are manifestations of the supernormal power of the vidyā, which comes from all buddhas. After briefly explaining the essentials of the Dharma, eighty- thousand people in the assembly are inspired to reach great bodhi, and innumerable people progress on their spiritual path.

     • Tadyathā: hahorā horavatī hoharaṇā sakuṇā cacacacaca nipuṇā kṣutakṣatā kṣayakṣayā tākṣayasamā śamanikarā halo halovati śilavati kinābhiśiyati nisaraṇī jaja jajamati avaṭā nivaṭā vartānusāriṇī bhūtānusmṛti ho devatānusmṛti ho nāgānāṃ yakṣānāṃ gandharvānāṃ mahorāgānāṃ svastir bhavatu sarvasattvānāṃ mekaratu mahāparvatā samitathā dharaṇī garjātu samudravega iti!

2. The Questions of Vajrasena

   • Vajrasena (son of Vajrapāṇi), inquires about various things:

1. How bodhisattvas can attain non-retrogression.

2. • • • Ten Dharmas, including great kindness, compassion, diligence, and superior wisdom.

2. Dharmas to practice for fearlessness.

2. • • • Eight Dharmas, including excellent wisdom and equanimity.

3. Dharmas to practice for freedom in all actions.

2. • • • Four Dhramas, including the five supernormal powers and the four immeasurables.

4. Kinds of Dharma gates possessed by a bodhisattva.

2. • • • Four Dharma Gates, including knowledge of beings' inclinations, and wisdom about phrases and meanings.

5. Kinds of power possessed by a bodhisattva.

2. • • • Nine kinds of power, including dhyāna from compassion, and diligence from non-retrogression.

3. The Vidyā for the Longevity of the Dharma

   • Vajrasena attains patience regarding the non-arising of all dharmas and asks the Buddha to ensure that the True Dharma remains for a long time in Vajrapāṇi's palace. For this, the Buddha instructs Vajrapāṇi to proclaim a great vidyā that had protected bodhisattvas and vanquished Māra’s armies during Buddha's own enlightenment. Vajrapāṇi utters the great vidyā, resulting in significant natural and supernatural phenomena like the shaking of mountains and the quaking of the earth. The utterance of the vidyā also returns followers of wrong teachings to the True Dharma and protects the treasures of True Dharma. Groups of devas express their elation and confirmation that the True Dharma will remain in the world for a long time through a gāthā. Buddha stays in Vajrapāṇi's palace for seven days, during which he brings about wide-ranging benefits for innumerable sentient beings in the area.

     • Tadyathā: hulu hulā huli dhīre hārīti akuśalakṣaye cale calavati sāre kṣure kṣāntimali kṣeme śāntikare kṣame śame śātikare huho ali khikhire kare āviṣaṇi rasa rasani jaye jayavati tri āvarti vivarti avartani maitribhūtānān saṃgraho nami damasampanne tīrṇatāraye bhūsvaya svasti devībhyo nāgebhyo yakṣebhyo gandharvebhyo rākṣasebhyo manuṣyāmanuṣyebhyo svastir bhavatu sadāsukham!

4. The Return of the Buddha and Saṅgha to Gṛdhrakūṭa

   • After leaving the palace, Buddha returns to the sky, accompanied by a large and diverse crowd including śrāvakas, humans, devas, and various beings like yakṣas and rākṣasas. Devas like Lord Brahmā and Indra create a radiant atmosphere, play wonderful music, and rain down flowers. The Buddha's supernormal power causes many lands to quake, demonstrating his extraordinary abilities and presence. They all eventually return to Mount Gṛdhrakūṭa, with Vajrapāṇi Bodhisattva following the Buddha, empowered by the Buddha's own power.