The Eight Auspicious Noble Ones
A Mahāyāna Sutra
In Sanskrit: āryamaṃgalāṣṭkaṃ nāma mahāyānasūtra
In Tibetan: ‘phags pa bkra shis brgyas pa zhes bya ba theg pa chen po’i mdo
(In English: The Mahāyāna Sutra called “The Eight Auspicious Noble Ones”)
I prostrate to all of the buddhas and boddhisattvas!
Thus have I heard at one time. The Bhagavān was dwelling in a vast mango preserve. Then, a Licchavī youth Suvikrāntaḥ, having gone to the place where the Bhagavān was, prostrated with his head to the feet of the Bhagavān, and then he made a request to the Bhagavān. “Please thoroughly teach about those Bhagavān, tathāgata, arhat, perfectly completed buddhas that have previously entered the marvelous path of prayer such that, if I hear the name of that Bhagavān, and pay respect with the crown of my head, then because of paying respect with the crown of my head it stops the fear and even harm from humans or non-humans from arising. And, should I go to the palace and express that Bhagavān’s name then there will be nothing whatsoever that impedes my proclamation or suppresses it. And if I were to memorize that very name, when I sleep I won’t dream evil dreams, or if I were to enter into a battle with sword I would not be pierced by any sword but rather be liberated from that place into happiness.”
Having been requested in that way, the Bhagavān replied to the Licchavī youth Suvikrāntaḥ:
“Suvikrāntaḥ, there exists a world system1 in the eastern direction called ‘Endowed with Fame,’ because in that place the tathāgata, arhat, completely perfected buddha called ‘King of Illumination’ resides.
Suvikrāntaḥ, there exists a world system in the eastern direction called ‘Without Sorrow,’ because in that place the tathāgata, arhat, completely perfected buddha called ‘Intention to Accomplish Aims with Steadfast Power’ resides.
Suvikrāntaḥ, there exists a world system in the eastern direction called ‘Endowed with Happiness,’ because in that place the tathāgata, arhat, completely perfected buddha called ‘Greatly Renowned as Consideration for All’ resides.
Suvikrāntaḥ, there exists a world system in the eastern direction called ‘Without Obstacles,’ because in that place the tathāgata, arhat, completely perfected buddha called ‘Glorious Adornment of Loving Kindness’ resides.
Suvikrāntaḥ, there exists a world system in the eastern direction called ‘Dispelling Annihilation,’ because in that place the tathāgata, arhat, completely perfected buddha called ‘Supremely Glorious One Renowned for Virtue’ resides.
Suvikrāntaḥ, there exists a world system in the eastern direction called ‘Possessed of Diversity,’ because in that place the tathāgata, arhat, completely perfected buddha called ‘Glorious Renown that is Valour as Noble as Mount Meru’ resides.
Suvikrāntaḥ, there exists a world system in the eastern direction called ‘Glorious Blazing,’ because in that place the tathāgata, arhat, completely perfected buddha called ‘Glorious Renown that is Consideration for All Sentient Beings ‘ resides.
Suvikrāntaḥ, there exists a world system in the eastern direction called ‘Famous Vajra Endowed with Joy,’ because in that place the tathāgata, arhat, completely perfected buddha called ‘Glorious Renown that is Valour Which Causes Contentment’ resides.
Suvikrāntaḥ, you should excellently, perfectly grasp the names of all of these buddha Bhagavāns, you should gain mastery over all of them, you should bear them in mind. Although all buddha Bhagavāns are endowed with good qualities that are beyond imagination, the buddhafields of these tathāgata, arhat, perfectly completed buddhas, Suvikrāntaḥ, are especially pure, because they are free from all degenerations. Suvikrāntaḥ, at whatever time you were to, having received all of the names of these tathāgata, arhat, perfectly enlightened buddhas, memorize them, they would provide all of their specific good qualities as well as others, because all of the names of these buddha Bhagavāns are endowed with the good quality of prior prayers. When you lay down in the evening time you should contemplate these names. When getting up you should also contemplate these names. If you are beginning any sort of worldly undertaking whatsoever, having first contemplated these names and then undertaken that activity, you should know it will then flourish and there will be no loss. You must abide in this way!”
Having heard this, the Licchavī youth Suvikrāntaḥ rejoiced in satisfaction and delight, went from joy to greater joy and developed mental bliss. He perfectly recited these names of the tathagatas, scattered eight thousand flowers of the seven precious substances around the Bhagavān and, having circumambulated him, seized the enumeration of the dharma of the eight auspicious ones, this perfect recitation of the names of the tathagatas, in accordance with the view of the Bhagavān.
Then, the lord of the gods Indra, who was existing among the retinue there, having prostrated to the Bhagavān, said this to the Bhagavān. “Bhagavān, I will also practice this enumeration of the dharma of the eight auspicious ones, the perfect recitation of the names of the tathagatas.”
The Bhagavān replied, “Kaushika, therefore when the gods and demi-gods go into battle, you should perfectly recite this enumeration of dharma. If you perfectly recite it, lord of the gods, you will be victorious. Why is this the case? It is because any perfect expression of the names of the tathagatas is a perfect expression of bliss and fearlessness; Any perfect expression of the names is the perfect expression of non-obsession; Any perfect expression of the names of the tathagatas is the perfect expression of the characteristics of righteousness; Any perfect expression of the names of the tathagatas is the perfect expression of the complete transcendence from all battle; Any perfect expression of the names of the tathagatas is the perfect expression of the unsurpassable, and the perfect expression of peace, and the perfect expression of non-torment, and the perfect expression of fearlessness.”
Then Indra, the lord of the gods, for the sake of making offerings to this enumeration of dharma, scattered divine manadarava flowers around the Bhagavān, and then prostrated with his head at the feet of the Bhagavān. Having made three prostrations, he said, “Having taken to mind this enumeration of the dharma of the perfect expression of the names of the tathagatas with a joyful heart, a virtuous mind, a mind free of obscurations, and a mind free from obsession, may I again gaze upon the face of the Bhagavān!” Having expressed thus, he and the gods of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three simultaneously moved away from the Bhagavān.
The Bhagavān having expressed himself thusly, the Licchavī youth Suvikrāntaḥ, and Indra the lord of all of the gods, along with worldly beings—the gods, the demi-gods, and gandharvas and others—were filled with admiration and highly praised what had been spoken by the Bhagavān.
The Mahāyāna Sutra called The Eight Noble Auspicious Ones is complete.
Translator’s Colophon: This text was translated by Śakya Gelong Gyalten Lekden, one of scant knowledge, during the waxing of the first moon of the year of the Fire Monkey, February 2016, at Sera Je Monastery. I beg forgiveness for any mistakes, and dedicate any merit that arises due to this translation to our precious gurus, that they may manifest long and healthy lives, leading thick-headed sentient beings such as myself to perfect, complete enlightenment.
Notes:
1 Although the realms of these eight various buddhas are each referred to as a “world system,” (Tib.: ‘jig rten gyi khams), it is clear they are actual buddhafields.