PREFACE 1

( Translated from Chinese Language into English by Professor Lim Ah Lan )

I think the sole purpose why the Tathagata expounded the teachings of Mahayana, disclosed multiple expedient Dharma doors, preached hundreds and thousands of Sutras and Dharma, is none other than to deliver sentient beings from the path of evil karmic retribution.

The Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra and Mantra are both verified with the wisdom seal of all Tathagatas as one that is vast, compassionate, profound and extremely rare; universally benefiting beings who are bewildered and lost. It is like a ferry across the vast ocean, the light of sun and moon for one that is lost in the darkness, and the food and drink for the starved.

If good men, good women and all sentient beings of the world resolve to cultivate the Bodhi mind , uphold, recite and wear this Dharani on their bodies, they will receive limitless blessings and meritorious virtue and be eternally liberated from evil destinies. All their evil karmas accumulated from beginningless time over billions of kalpas will be completely eradicated.

One will receive the blessings and initiations (Abhisekhai) from all the Buddhas. He will be guarded and protected by devas and his worldly blessings and longevity will be boundless. Such wonderful fruition and effect has been witnessed and found by me to be true.

I, the Emperor of China, regret that many of my subjects are obstinately attached to their deviant beliefs and practices without realising that such doings are wrong and sinful and will only cause them to fall into evil destinies. This is truly pitiful and sad. Hence the practice of this Sutra and Mantra will cause all sentient beings from innumerable lands, as many as the grains of sand of the Ganges River, to receive great benefits. Their life-span lengthens, blessings multiply and together they will attain Buddhahood.

Moreover, the Buddha has vowed to extensively deliver all sentient beings; preference will definitely be given to those who are loyal and those who are filial. Loyal subjects and filial persons, born in a highly cultured and civilised country during the times of peace, will enjoy various kinds of prosperity and happiness, all because they have served their Emperor and parents to the best of their ability (in their previous existences). In addition, they respect and revere the Triple Jewel, cultivate and accrue good deeds so that within a short time, they will ascend the Way to Enlightenment.

For those who commit evil deeds, ignorant of mending their behaviour, their evil actions worsen day after day. They accumulate great evil karma and are resigned to deterioration like bathing in paint, truly difficult to be cleansed. Having fallen into the dark phase, what causes could release them from the world of transmigration? If they can change for the better and uphold and recite this Dharani, then they will be able to transcend the world of Samsara (calamities and suffering).

Ming 1411