CONTENTS

01--Message from the Editor

04--Foreword

23--Preface 1
Emperor Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty

25--Preface 2
Sramana Zhi Jing

29--Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra
Buddhapala

39--Mantra and Sutra of Usnisa Vijaya Dharani that Eradicates Karmic Obstruction
Tripitaka Master Divakara

42--The Tang Dynasty Records of Buddhapala in Wu Tai Mountain
Volume 2 of Records of High Priests in the Song Dynasty

44--The Miracle Stories of the Revised Usnisa Vijaya Dharani
Wu Che

51--Efficacious Records of Usnisa Vijaya Dharani
Wu che

54--Glossary

 

   Diligently cultivating the three profound skills to eliminate the three poisons, turning oneself away from defilement and being awakened to enlightenment, have been the principles propagated through the ages. With reference to complete practice and cultivation, there are eighty-four thousand Dharma-doors of which each and every Dharma-door will lead to the shore of Nirvana. However, prevailing in this Dharma-ending Age are sentient beings Iiving in the evil world of the five turbidities with poor foundation in Dharma cultivation, with the five skandhas blazing in strength, and their karmic hindrances deep and formidable. Hence, the chosen Dharma-door must be suitable for this period and in accordance with the cultivator's original qualities. Therefore, one should not be ignorant of the right selection.

Buddha's Power Protects and Saves Beings
from the Sea of Sufferings

   Though there are many Dharma-doors within the Buddha Dharma for cultivation leading to Buddhahood, essentially there are only two main Dharma-doors - those depending on "self effort" and those depending on "others' effort" (with the power and assistance of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas). The "self effort" of sentient beings is very limited and to achieve some rneasure of success, it would be extremely difficult. However, the "Pure Land" and "Dharani" Dharma-doors employing "others' effort" in cultivation display phenomenal success. For example, an ordinary layman, so long as he believes, vows, upholds and recites Amitahha Buddha's name for seven days to achieve a single mind without any confusion, would be ablc to obtain a rebirth in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. Even those sentient beings who have committed various bad karma, just before the end of their lives, if they repent and reform, and are able to be mindful of Amitabha Buddha in ten successive thoughts, would all be reborn in the Pure Land. Once reborn in Ihe Land ofUltimate Bliss, they could immediately leap beyond the three realms (i.e. realm of desire, form and formless), not falling into transmigration, non-retreating until they become Ekajati-pmtibadda and

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