Definition & Origin: Stemming from the Shurangama Sutra, this mantra was spoken by Shakyamuni Buddha to protect Ananda from temptation, often termed the "Great White Canopy of Light".
Protection and Power: It is believed to subdue demons, ghosts, and negative spirits, acting as a shield for practitioners. The mantra is said to create immense, protective, light-filled energy.
Cultivation & Enlightenment: Reciting the mantra assists in attaining samadhi (meditative concentration), curing illnesses, and breaking through karmic obstacles.
Structure: It is divided into five sections, which relate to the five Dhyana Buddhas and five directions, maintaining, in a sense, cosmic order.
Essence and Meaning
Ultimate Firmness: The name "Shurangama" means "ultimately firm and strong," representing a state of mind that cannot be shaken or tempted by worldly defilements.
The "Crown of the Buddha": Considered a direct expression of the Buddha's enlightened mind, the mantra is believed to possess incredible,, esoteric power.
Merit and Virtue: Reciting it with a pure mind is thought to accumulate massive amounts of merit,, helping beings avoid misfortune and progress toward buddhahood.
Protecting the Dharma: It is considered crucial for the survival of the true Dharma, with some teachings stating that as long as the mantra is recited, the world will not fall into total darkness.
Chant like parrot? No gaining emotional content naturally by conduting the transmission of the Buddha!!!
The Shurangama Mantra is a powerful Mahayana Buddhist dharani focused on protection and achieving enlightenment, often practiced in stages involving establishing a specialized, pure site (Bodhimanda) for meditation. Cultivation entails sincere recitation to subdue demons, eliminate desire, and, over weeks, align with Bodhisattva vows to achieve wisdom.
Wisdom Library
Wisdom Library
+4
Key Stages of Cultivation and Function
Establishment of the Bodhimanda (Platform): Traditionally, this involves a7-day to 100-day retreat of uninterrupted recitation (often 108 times daily) while bowing, purifying one's surroundings, and establishing mental, spiritual, and physical purity.
The Five Divisions of the Mantra: The mantra itself is divided into five sections, which correspond to the five directions (East, West, South, North, and Center) and five major kinds of spiritual functions:
Subduing (Demons/Ghosts): Smashing through evil, malicious spells, and preventing harm from spirits.
Hooking/Summoning: Summoning/subduing all demons, ghosts, and "weird beings".
Increasing Benefit (Increase/Prosperity): Increasing benefits for oneself and others, bringing success to vows.
Accomplishment (Successful Accomplishment): Fulfilling wishes and ensuring success in cultivation.
Dispelling Disasters (Fire/Water): Preventing catastrophes, unnatural deaths, or danger from water, fire, or warfare.
Stages of Cultivation Success:
Dry Wisdom Stage: A point of intense, refined focus where karmic desire dries up, and the practitioner understands the falseness of mental attachments.
Fifty-Five Stages of Bodhisattva Practice: The sutra guides practitioners through stages including the ten faiths, ten dwellings, ten conducts, ten transferences, four positions of additional practices, and ten grounds (bhūmis).
Signs of Progress (Cultivator Experiences): Cultivators may experience auspicious dreams (e.g., seeing Buddhas or bowing), feelings of profound peace, or intense inner resistance (irritation) as the mantra works to cleanse deep-seated menta
Spelled both Surnagama and Shurangama from sanskrit is the enlighs pronounciations.
The Shurangama Sutra is a detailed guide to practice that emphasizes the necessity of cutting off lust and cultivating a pure mind. The sutra includes the highly regarded "Shurangama Mantra"
Pronunciation: It is usually pronounced "shur-an-gama" (sh as in "she").
Meaning: It translates to "ultimately firm and strong" or "absolutely firm and solid".
The Shurangama Mantra is a very long, comprehensive, five-part dhāraṇī. The Heart Mantra of Shurangama is a short excerpt (often the final lines) of the full mantra, containing its essential essence, used for convenient recitatation.
Length and Content: The full Shurangama Mantra is long and detailed, while the Heart Mantra is a condensed, short version.
Purpose: Both are used to overcome demons and negative energy, but the Heart Mantra acts as a concise alternative for daily practice when the full, lengthy mantra cannot be recited.
Relationship: The Heart Mantra is considered the "heart" or "core" of the full mantra, which contains over 30 types of dharmas.
Thrangu Rinpoche’s teachings on the White Umbrella Deity (Sitatapatra or Dukkar) emphasize her role as a supreme protector against obstacles, illness, and negative spiritual influences. Born from the crown (ushnisha) of Buddha Shakyamuni, she represents the "indestructible vajra sword" that cuts through disasters and bad luck.
Buddha Weekly
Buddha Weekly
+2
Dukkar in her full form is one of the most complex deities ...
Practices of Arya Sitatapatra (White Umbrella Deity) - FPMT
White Umbrella Goddess in Tibetan Buddhism for Protection ...
The Goddess of the White Umbrella The Buddhist Deity ...
Sitatapatra or Dukkar — the ultimate protective Bodhisattva ...
Key Aspects of the Teaching
Symbolism of the Umbrella: The white umbrella she holds symbolizes royalty and protection, specifically shielding practitioners from the "heat" of suffering, desires, and mental obscurations like greed and hatred.
Protection from Harm: Rinpoche’s lineage often highlights her power to repel "evil spells," black magic, and interference from spirits or astrological factors.
The Sitatapatra Mantra: Reciting her mantras is the primary method for invoking her protection. Common forms include:
Short Mantra: OM SARVA TATHAGATA USNISHA SITATAPATRA HUM PHAT.
Action Mantra: HUM MA MA HUM NI SVAHA.
Visualizations: In practice, she may be visualized with a thousand heads, arms, and legs, covered in eyes to watch over all sentient beings with active compassion.
Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
+7
Line by line translation of The Shurangama Mantra
Master Zhangjia Hutuktu was a pivotal mentor to Venerable Master Chin Kung, imparting crucial teachings on changing destiny through sincere practice and profound respect for traditional wisdom. His key teachings emphasized that one can change their own fate, Buddhism is an education rather than a religion, and stressed the importance of studying sutras, overcoming attachment, and developing compassion
Master Zhangjia taught me this method, told me, your whole life is arranged by Buddha & Bodhisattvas
1,2,3
White Umbrella Deity Empowerment by H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
Garchen Rinpoche emphasizes the White Umbrella (Sitatapatra/Dukkar) mantra as an exceptionally powerful, swift practice for protection against all forms of harm, including natural catastrophes, disease, and black magic. It is seen as a method to protect sentient beings from fear and to aid in attaining Sukhavati.
Key aspects of the White Umbrella (Dukkar) practice mentioned in teachings, including those in the Garchen tradition:
Ultimate Protection: The practice is considered a "complete" protective, active compassion, often described as a "vajra sword" that turns back all negative influences.
The Mantra: The mantra widely used, often recommended in this context, is OM SIT TA TA PA TREY HUM PHET.
Symbolism: White Umbrella represents the power of compassion overcoming evil, with her thousands of eyes watching over beings and thousand arms protecting them.
For personal daily practice or to find detailed teachings from Garchen Rinpoche, seekers often refer to the teachings provided by centers such as Madhyamaka or in forums like Dharma Wheel.
Common Practice: It is common to recite the entire mantra once, followed by multiple repetitions of the heart mantra
懺雲老和尚誦《楞嚴咒》（12 hours 加長版 共72遍 正體字幕)（懺雲老和尚傳承虛雲老和尚的珍貴錄音）
Elder Master Chan Yun Reciting the *Shurangama Mantra* (12-Hour Extended Version — 72 Repetitions
Thich Nhat Hahn (Thay)
This Sutra Is Key To Restoring The Buddha's Original Message | Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh often spoke of his early monastic days at the Tu Hieu Temple in Vietnam, where learning the Shurangama Mantra by heart was a significant milestone that filled his heart with joy. While he did not release a single dedicated "Shurangama Mantra" teaching video in the same way he did for his famous "Four Mantras," he frequently referenced the Shurangama Sutra in his broader discourses on restoring the Buddha's original message
Ten Dharma Realms Are Not Beyond a Single Thought by Ven Master Hsuan Hua
Venerable Master Hsuan Hua - Biography, Wei-Yang Chan 9th Patriarch, City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
The original sanskrit pronounciation. The Shurangama Heart Mantra is a condensed, highly potent essence of the full Śūraṅgama Mantra, a long Buddhist dhāraṇī known as the "king of mantras" for protection, subduing negativity, and cultivating enlightenment. It represents the core "ineffably wonderful" syllables found at the end of the full mantra's final section, frequently recited for its power to purify karma and clear mental obstacles.
Śūraṅgama Heart Mantra (Standardized Version based on the *Fangshan Stone Sutras*)
Om Anale Anale Visada Visada Banda Banda Bandani Bandani
Vaira Vajra Pani Phat
Hum Brum Phat Svaha
The Heart Mantra (咒心): This is a condensed, essential section often used for daily recitation or when time is limited. Common versions focus on the phrases "Om Syi Dan Dwo Bwo Da La" (white canopy) or the "Tadyatha" section.
The Great Buddha-Crown Śūraṅgama Mantra (Standardized Sanskrit Version)
Sourced from the *Fangshan Stone Sutras* (Fascicle *Jun*); Carved in the 10th Year of the Da'an Era of the Liao Dynasty (1084 CE).
Translated by Imperial Edict by the Tripiṭaka Master, Śramaṇa, and "Great Wisdom" National Preceptor Amoghavajra (Bukong) of Daxingshan Temple, Tang Dynasty.
Compiled by the Tripiṭaka Master and "Transcendent Enlightenment" Master Xinglin—a Śramaṇa and recipient of the Purple Robe—of Da'anguo Temple in the Upper Capital, Tang Dynasty.
In early 2016 CE, the Shingon School Śramaṇas Shi Hongbo (aka Hongbo) and Shi Yandu, together with the Bodhisattva Precepts disciple and lay practitioner Guo Bin, jointly collated and reconstructed the modern Romanized transliteration of the ancient Sanskrit text.
Key Aspects of the Shurangama Heart Mantra
Origin: Excerpted from the Shurangama Sutra (associated with Mahayana and Chan Buddhism), it is often recited 108 times after reciting the full, long mantra once.
ranslation and Sanskrit Equivalent
While these syllables are phonetic transliterations of the original Sanskrit, they carry specific symbolic meanings related to fire, purity, and protection.
Transliterated Syllables Original Sanskrit English Meaning
Dwo Jr Two Nan Tadyatha Om Thus, it is like this: (Invocation)
E Na Li Anale O Fire / Amrita Fire
Pi She Ti Visadhe O Pure One / Brilliance
Pi La Ba She La Vira Vajra Heroic Thunderbolt (Vajra)
Two Li Dhare To Bear or Hold
Pan Two Pan Two Ni Bandha Bandhani Bind, Bind / Binding
Ba She La Bang Ni Pan Vajrapani Phat Thunderbolt in Hand, Strike!
Hu Syin Du Lu Yung Pan Hum Trum Phat (Seed syllables for power and destruction of obstacles)
Swo Pe He Svaha So be it / Accomplishment
Holistic Interpretation
A poetic or functional translation of this sequence is:
"It is thus: Om! O brilliant fire, O pure one, heroic bearer of the thunderbolt! Bind and restrain [all that would fetter us], O holder of the diamond in hand, strike! [May all obstacles be destroyed], so be it!"
Significance: It is often called the "Heart of the Mantra" because it contains the most critical power, particularly the lines "E Na Li. Pi She Ti.", which are said to be able to command and subdue demons and negative forces.
Benefits: Used for deep spiritual protection, destroying black magic, clearing obscurations, overcoming mental obstacles (like anger, greed, and laziness), and attaining wisdom.
Symbolism: It represents the ultimate, invincible strength of the enlightened mind (translating to "Ultimately Firm and Strong").
Usage
Practitioners may recite the entire, lengthy mantra early in the morning and focus on reciting the shorter Heart Mantra 108 times for convenience while gaining the same profound benefits.
Thrangu rimpoche
The founder and primary guru of the Vajra Vidya network—including the Vajra Vidya Retreat Center in Crestone, Colorado, and the Vajra Vidya Institute in Sarnath, India—was the late Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (1933–2023). A renowned scholar and master of the Karma Kagyu lineage, he was the personal tutor to the 17th Karmapa.
Vajra Vidya Retreat Center
Vajra Vidya Retreat Center
+3
Founder: Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (also known as Thrangu Rinpoche).
Legacy: He was a master of Mahamudra meditation who focused on making complex teachings accessible, creating the Vajra Vidya Institute in India to preserve Buddhist philosophy.
The original sanskrit pronounciation. The Buddha taught the Shurangama Mantra in response to a dire situation, providing a means to overcome dark forces and achieve liberation. The "heart" of the Shurangama Mantra is a specific, condensed part of the full Shurangama mantra. This heart section breaks up the captivating power of sankharas, those deeply rooted patterns of thought and perception that entangle and distort the world.
Heart of the Shurangama Mantra
:
DA JR TWO
NAN
E NA LI
PI SHE TI
PI LA BA SHE LA
TWO LI
PAN TWO PAN TWO NI
BA SHE LA BANG NI PAN
HU SYIN DU LU YUNG PAN
SWO PE HE
The Full Shurangama Sutra Contents
The Śūraṅgama Sūtra (Sutra of the Foremost Shurangama) is a vital, comprehensive Mahayana Buddhist text focused on achieving enlightenment, meditation, and understanding the true nature of the mind. It is often regarded as a "practical manual" for practitioners, outlining the path to Buddhahood and proper meditative practices.
Key Aspects of the Sutra:
Significance: It is highly esteemed in East and Southeast Asian Buddhism, often taught as a core text for monastic study, particularly in the Chan (Zen) tradition.
Core Theme: The sutra emphasizes that "Bodhi is the ceasing of the mad mind," encouraging practitioners to distinguish between the false, illusory mind and the true, enduring mind.
The Shurangama Mantra: The text contains a powerful, long mantra used to protect practitioners and cultivate spiritual strength.
Content: It covers teachings on Buddha-nature, the stages of cultivation, the pitfalls of meditation, and features a detailed section on Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva's methods.
Popular Translations/Commentaries: The commentary by Master Hsuan Hua is widely used.
The Sutra is considered so critical that its presence is said to signify the existence of the proper Dharma in the world.
Search Britannica
Ask the ChatbotGames & QuizzesHistory & SocietyScience & TechBiographiesAnimals & NatureGeography & TravelArts & CultureProConMoneyVideos
Philosophy & ReligionReligious Personages & Scholars
CITE
Hui-yüan
Chinese Buddhist priest
Also known as: Huiyuan
Britannica Editors History
Britannica AI
Ask Anything
Hui-yüan (born ad 334, Yen-men, Shansi, China—died 416, Lu-shan, Hupeh) was a celebrated early Chinese Buddhist priest who formed a devotional society of monks and lay worshipers of the Buddha Amitābha. The society inspired the establishment in later centuries (6th–7th) of the Ch’ing-t’u (“Pure Land”) cult, which is today the most popular form of Buddhism in East Asia. On his advice, the ruler of the Eastern Chin dynasty (317–419) exempted Buddhist monks from having to bow before the emperor, on the grounds that they were far removed from ordinary mortals.
Quick Facts
Pinyin: Huiyuan
Born: ad 334,, Yen-men, Shansi, China
Died: 416, Lu-shan, Hupeh (aged 82)
As a child, Hui-yüan is said to have been a student of Taoism and Confucianism, becoming a convert to Buddhism only after meeting the famous Buddhist monk Tao-an. In his teachings, Hui-yüan attempted to utilize native Chinese philosophy, especially Taoist thought, to explain some of the more esoteric Buddhist concepts. The result was a philosophy that emphasized salvation through faith; if one merely uttered the name of the Buddha Amitābha in loving adoration, after death one’s spirit was offered a heavenly abode in the Western Paradise. These ideas, which eventually challenged Taoism as the major religious inspiration of the Chinese peasantry, spread throughout China in the century following Hui-yüan’s death, partially because of the great prestige associated with his name.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Philosophy & ReligionScriptures
CITE
Lotus Sutra
Buddhist text
Also known as: “Fa-hua Ching”, “Hoke-Kyō”, “Miao-fa lien-hua(Show More)
Britannica Editors History
Britannica AI
Ask Anything
Lotus Sutra, (“Lotus of the Good Law [or True Doctrine] Sutra”), one of the earlier Mahāyāna Buddhist texts venerated as the quintessence of truth by the Japanese Tendai (Chinese T’ien-t’ai) and Nichiren sects. The Lotus Sutra is regarded by many others as a religious classic of great beauty and power and one of the most important and most popular works in the Mahāyāna tradition, the form of Buddhism predominant in East Asia. The title references the lotus plant, especially the sacred lotus whose large, elevated, spreading, and beautiful flower flourishes above the muddy waters of its roots, is sacred in both Hinduism and Buddhism, and was used in ancient Egypt to represent rebirth. In China the text is called the Miao-fa lien-hua ching or Fa-hua Ching and in Japan, Myōhō renge kyō or Hokekyō.
In the Lotus Sutra the Buddha has become the divine eternal Buddha, who attained perfect Enlightenment endless eons ago. His nature as the supreme object of faith and devotion is expressed partly through the language of wondrous powers (e.g., his suddenly making visible thousands of worlds in all directions, each with its own Buddha). In keeping with this exalted Buddhology, the Hīnayāna goals of emancipation and sainthood are reduced to inferior expedients: here all beings are invited to become no less than fully enlightened Buddhas through the grace of innumerable bodhisattvas (“Buddhas-to-be”).
Sanskrit: Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra
The sutra, composed largely in verse, has a total of 28 chapters and contains many charms and mantras (sacred chants). It was first translated into Chinese in the 3rd century ad and became extremely popular in China and Japan, where common belief held that the simple act of chanting it would bring salvation. The 25th chapter, which describes the glory and special powers of the great bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokitiśvara (Chinese Kuan-yin; Japanese Kannon), has had an important separate life under the name of Kuan-yin Ching (Japanese Kannon-gyō).
He is the famed Sixth Patriarch of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, known for promoting "Sudden Enlightenment" and leading the Southern School of Chan. The founder of Pure Land in China is traditionally considered to be Huiyuan (334–416).
Huineng's Role: He is the central figure in the Southern School of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and author of the Platform Sutra. He is known for promoting an immediate, direct experience of enlightenment rather than reliance on scriptural study or ritual recitation.
Pure Land Origins: Pure Land Buddhism in China began earlier, with Huiyuan founding the White Lotus Society in 402, focusing on invoking the name of Amitābha Buddha to gain rebirth in the Western Pure Land.
Different Approaches: While Pure Land emphasizes faith and calling on Amitābha Buddha, Huineng and Chan focus on realizing one's own Buddha-nature directly.
In later Chinese Buddhism, Chan and Pure Land practices often blended, but they originated from different approaches and figures.