Chapter 14 - The True Buddha Sutra

The Sutra of Authentic Dharma that Removes all Hindrances and Bestows Good Fortune

The Great Homage

Homage to the Buddhas of the Ten Directions.
Homage to all Bodhisattvas
Homage to the Vajra Protectors
Half Bow with the Equanimity Mudra

Recite the Speech Purification Mantra:

Om Suri Suri Mahasuri Susuri Svaha

Recite the Body Purification Mantra:

Om Sudori Sudori Sumoli Sumoli Svaha

Recite the Speech Purification Mantra:

Om Vajra Dam Ho Ho Hum

Recite the Earth god Mantra

Namo Samanta Buddanam Om Duru Duru Devi Svaha.

Supplication for the Blessing of Living Buddha Lian-sheng

Om Ah Hum.

With reverence I make my purified body, speech and mind an offering to Mahavairocana. The Holy Buddhalocana is the Dharmakaya, Padmakumara is the Sambhogakaya, and Living Buddha Lian-sheng is the Nirmanakaya, these three bodies being the same in essence as the expression of Buddha's great compassion.

Homage to his True-Buddha lineage and to hs transcendent power that encompasses the whole Universe. Radiating light throughout the Three Times, He can manifest himself instantaneously. Disciples of Buddha should constantly cry out for his pure light which magnifies virtue and wisdom.

In the past his Realization was prophesied by Sakyamuni Buddha. He was entrusted with the mission of salvation by Amitabha Buddha. Maitreya Bodhisattva crowned Him with the Red Crown and Guru Padmasabhava taught Him the Tantra.

We pray that you will never abandon your vast vows to liberate us all. Thus as you embrace and enfold us with protection and care, empower us to more quickly attain realization.

Namo Mahavairocana Buddha,
Namo Buddhalocana,
Namo Padmakumara,
Namo Living Buddha Lian-sheng,
Namo the True-Buddha Assembly, all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas everywhere throughout the Three Times.(3X)

Recite the Holy Edict three times:

The Western True-Buddha Assembly, Maha Double-Lotus Ponds, the Eighteen Mahapadmakumaras, the Holy Revered One Robed in White, the Holy Red Crown Vajra-Master, the Secret Ruler of the Realm of Vajra-mantra, the Great Enlightened Founder of Ling Xian True Buddha School: the Illustrious tantrika Sheng-yen Lu.

Incense Praise

The censer is now lit, suffusing the Dharma Realm and from afar the scent is inhaled by the True-Buddha Assembly.
Auspicious are the gathering clouds, as we now request, with sincere and earnest hearts, that all Buddhas manifest.
Homage to the Enlightened One, cloud canopy of fragrance, Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas. (3X)

Homage to the True-Buddha Assembly, all Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas. (3X)

Evocation of the Two Buddhas and Eight Bodhisattvas

• Namo Vairocana Buddha of the All-Conquering Palace in Dharma Realm,
• Namo Amitabha Buddha of the Western Paradise,
• Namo Mahasattva Avalokitesvara,
• Namo Mahasattva Maitreya,
• Namo Mahasattva Akasagarbha,
• Namo Mahasattva Samantabhadra,
• Namo Mahasattva Vajrapani,
• Namo Mahasattva Manjusri,
• Namo Mahasattva Hindrance-Removing Bodhisattva,
• Namo Mahasattva Ksitigarbha,
• Namo all Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas.

Sutra Opening Verse

The most supreme profound Dharma,
Is rarely encountered in hundred and thousands of kalpas
Having now received this transmission and blessing,
I vow to penetrate the true meaning of Tathagata.

The Sutra of Authentic Dharma that Removes all Hindrances and Bestows Good Fortune as spoken by Living Buddha Lian-sheng.

Thus have I heard. At one time, white Mahapadmakumara was at the Maha Double-Lotus Ponds, sitting upon the great white lotus dharma-throne; surrounding him were seventeen other great lotus blossoms. The green lotus radiated green light, the yellow lotus yellow light, the red lotus red light, the purple lotus purple light. Each lotus blossom was mysteriously wonderful, pure and full of fragrance.

The White Padmakumara, silently calling forth his spiritual power, transformed the Maha Double-Lotus Ponds into an extraordinarily splendid place filled with golden light. All the flower-buds simultaneously burst into fragrant blossoms. Jade grasses sent forth a wonderful scent. White cranes, peacocks, parrots, saris, kalavinkas and jivajiras all took on a golden hue and sang graceful heavenly songs in harmony. The sky filled with golden light. A pure and wonderful heavenly melody resounded from the sky, The fragrance of blossoms suffused all realms. Golden sky-abodes, adorned throughout with golden lotuses, radiated splendor. From the sky there showered heavenly flowers.

At that moment, the ground shook violently in Maha Double-Lotus Ponds and throughout countless heavens the tremors could be felt. Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Sravakas all felt it as well as came to Maha Double-Lotus Ponds, as did the rulers of all the Thirty-Three Heavens. The assembly included beings from the Twenty-Eight Heavens, Lords Indra and Brahma, the eight classes of supernatural beings and the Fourfold Sangha, all of whom came to hear the revelation of quintessential teaching.

At that moment, the Golden Padmakumara emitted the Great Wisdom Light. The White Padmakumara emitted the Dharma Realm Light. The Green Padmakumara emitted the Ten Thousand Treasure Light. The Black Padmakumara emitted the Subjugation Light, Red Padmakumara the Vow Light, Purple Padmakumara the Proper and Dignified Light, Blue Padmakumara the Virtuous Fruit Light, Yellow Padmakumara the Fortune Fulfilling Light, and the Orange Padmakumara emitted the Child Innocence Light.

Upon seeing this, all the heavenly beings were greatly awed. Then Indra arose from his seat and bowing to White Padmakumara said, "This is most rare, O Holy and Revered One. By what cause does the Maha Double-Lotus Ponds emit such great light and splendor?

White Mahapadmakumara said, "I will expound this for everyone present." Indra said, "The Holy Revered One is the most mighty and powerful. Please explain to everyone present, that all Men and Devas may know where to turn.

At that moment, White Mahapadmakumara addressed Indra and the assembly as follows: "Very well, very well. I will now explain to you and all the beings of the last period of this Buddha-kalpa and all those in the future who have an affinity with the Dharma, that all may know the True-Buddha Dharma and the principle which remove obstacles and bestows good fortune."

White Mahapadmakumara then said, "All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have, in order to liberate living beings, manifested the worlds known as 'All-Conquering', 'Wonderful Treasure', 'Round Pearl', 'Sorrowless', 'Pure Rest', 'Dharma Thought', 'Full Moon', 'Profound Joy', 'Profound Completeness', 'Lotus', 'Immutable', and 'Omnipresence'. Now, there shall be the 'True-Buddha World'."

Thus the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Sravakas, Pratyekabuddhas and all the heavenly beings witnessed the Holy Revered One bringing forth the True-Buddha World, understanding it to be a manifestation of the great compassion of the auspicious Sugatas of the past, present and future, and realizing that the Holy Revered One came for the sake of all beings. All present were moved by joy as never before. Then bowing their heads they made praise with these verses:

The Holy Revered One of great compassion,
The Secret One who is most supreme,
Had attained enlightenment in the past,
And transcended all worldly passions.
He now establishes the True-Buddha World,
Showering compassion on all living beings.
Transforming Himself into a Pure Land founding Buddha,
He descends into the Saha World. With Lian-sheng as His name,
He announces and proclaims the Dharma to all.
We have all now heard and shall vow to protect and uphold His Dharma.

At that moment, the holy revered White Mahapadmakumara instructed the assembly, saying "In cultivation, the key to realizing the Buddha Jewel Sambodhi is a quiescent mind; that of realizing the Dharma Jewel is purity of body, speech and mind and that of realizing the Sangha Jewel in refuge in a True-Buddha Guru."

The Holy Revered One further instructed the assembly, saying "If good men or women, on the eighteenth of the fifth month of each lunar year, make ablution and abstain from flesh and wear new and clean clothes, or on the eighteenth of each lunar month, or on their own birthdays, call upon the Two Buddhas and Eight Bodhisattvas before the shrine and reverently recite this Sutra of Authentic Dharma that Removes all Hindrances and Bestows Good Fortune, then their supplications will be answered. Moreover, if incense, flowers, lamp, tea and fruits are offered, along with sincere prayer, then all wishes will be granted.

The Holy Revered One told the assembly, "People of this saha world, be they high officials, nobility, renunciates, householders, yogis, or commonfolk, who upon learning of this sutra, uphold, read and recite it, shall prosper above all others, have greater lifespan, obtain either a son or daughter as sought, and be blessed with measureless fortune. This is indeed a great fortune-bestowing sutra for obtaining blessings.

"One may have deceased ancestors, enemies, close ones or creditors who are unable to obtain liberation and remain lost in the nether world. However, by upholding, reciting, and propagating this sutra, the deceased will ascend to heaven, enemies will be turned away, and those living will be blessed. If there be man or woman seized by negative forces, afflicted by spirits, or confused and haunted by nightmares, then by upholding and propagating this sutra, all negative influences shall be banished, thereby restoring peace and ease.

If one suffers the physical retribution of illness and calamity, whether due to nonvirtuous body karma from previous lives, or due to the afflictions of spirits, then by holding, reciting and propagating this sutra, ill omens will immediately disappear and the cause of illness is quickly removed. If one suffers from misfortune, legal entanglement or imprisonment, then upon upholding, reciting and propagating this sutra, all such obstacles will be removed, and the suffering of birth and death extinguished."

"Should nations enter into war, then whoever holds this sutra and creates an image of Padmakumara, setting up offerings before it, immediately receives extra prowess wherein no battle can be lost. Those who recite, print, or propagate this sutra will receive every good fortune, just as they desire. All hindrances will be removed, and the sufferings of the cycle of birth and death will be extinguished."

Then in the Western True Buddha Assembly at Maha Double-Lotus Ponds, White Mahapadmakumara proclaimed this mantra:

"Om Guru Lian-sheng Siddhi Hum."

When the holy Revered One completed this discourse, Indra and the whole assembly, including devas, nagas and the Fourfold Sangha all paid reverence. They brought forth faith and upheld the teaching.

Thus ends the Sutra of Authentic Dharma that Removes all Hindrances and Bestows Good Fortune.

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