Pure Land Rebirth Dharani

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Jingang
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Pure Land Rebirth Dharani

Post by Jingang »

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone knew the origin of the Mantra for Rebirth in the Pure Land.

Admin_PC
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Re: Pure Land Rebirth Dharani

Post by Admin_PC »

Excerpt from Rulu at sutrasmantras.info

(From the 11 Mantras)

...

5. Dhāraṇī for Rebirth in the Pure Land (往生咒)
6. Root Dhāraṇī of Infinite Life Tathāgata (無量壽如來根本陀羅尼)

...

Dhāraṇī, often in the form of a long mantra, means total retention, the power to unite all dharmas and hold all meanings. Mantras 2, 4, 5, and 7 are included the ten short mantras that Chinese Buddhists recite in their morning recitation practice.

...

Mantras 5 and 6 are the mantras for rebirth in Amitābha Buddha’s Pure Land. The Chinese version of Mantra 5 is in text 368 (T12n0368, 0351c8–12), which was translated into Chinese by Guṇabhadra (求那跋陀羅, 394–468) from central India. In group practice, Chinese Buddhists usually recite this mantra three times immediately after their recitation of the Heart Sūtra or the Amitābha Sūtra. Not well known to them is Mantra 6, the longer of these two rebirth mantras. The Chinese version of this mantra is in text 930 (T19n0930, 0071b5–18), which was translated into Chinese by Amoghavajra (不空金剛, 705–774) from the present-day Sri Lanka.

...

Text 368 (T12n0368, 0351c8–12) -> from the Taisho section T0368-T0373 其他淨土經咒 (Other Pure Land Sutras and Dharanis), part of Volumes 11-12: 寶積部類 Treasure Trove Section: T0310 – T0373 -> Chinese title is:
拔一切業障根本得生淨土神呪/附、阿彌陀經不思議神力傳 (0368, 求那跋陀羅譯)

Text 930 (T19n0930, 0071b5–18) -> from the Taisho section T0918-T0943 諸佛儀軌 (Ritual of All Buddhas), part of Volumes 18-21: 密教部類 Tantra Section: T0848 – T1420 - Chinese title is:
無量壽如來觀行供養儀軌 (0930, 不空譯)

...

We've been talking about this a little bit on Reddit and I really haven't figured out why mantra #5 does not seem to be very widespread in Japanese Buddhism. I haven't stumbled across it's use in Japanese liturgies. I'm curious how it took on such a major role in mainland East Asian Mahayana. Would greatly appreciate any input anyone else has on this topic.
Jingang
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Re: Pure Land Rebirth Dharani

Post by Jingang »

Is it used in Vietnamese traditions?
Admin_PC
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Re: Pure Land Rebirth Dharani

Post by Admin_PC »

Jingang wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2018 6:44 pm Is it used in Vietnamese traditions?
Yes.
Jingang
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Re: Pure Land Rebirth Dharani

Post by Jingang »

Wonderful, thanks for your help!
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明安 Myoan
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Re: Pure Land Rebirth Dharani

Post by 明安 Myoan »

Here is the Reddit thread mentioned with info I compiled from the internet.
Namu Amida Butsu
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