The shurangama mantra The shurangama mantra | Page 238

【THE SHURANGAMA SUTRA _ EXTRACTION.】
”The other person is fond of speaking
about calamities, auspicious events,
and unusual changes. He may say
that a Tathagata has appeared in the
world at a certain place. He may
speak of catastrophic fires or wars,
thus frightening people into
squandering their family wealth
without reason. 8:96
”This person, unaware that he is
possessed by a demon, claims he has
reached unsurpassed Nirvana. When
he comes to see that good person who
seeks to roam, he arranges a seat and
speaks the Dharma. His own body
does not change its appearance, but
those listening to the Dharma
suddenly see themselves sitting on
jeweled lotuses and their entire
bodies transformed into clusters of
purple-golden light. Each person in
the audience experiences that state
and feels he has obtained something
unprecedented. 8:102
”This is a strange ghost that in its old
age has become a demon. It disturbs
and confuses the good person. But
when it tires of doing so, it will leave
the other person.s body. Then both
the disciples and the teacher will get
in trouble with the law. 8:98
”The good person is beguiled and
fooled into thinking the other is a
Bodhisattva. Lust and laxity corrupt
his mind. He breaks the Buddha’s
moral precepts and covertly indulges
his greedy desires. 8:103
”You should be aware of this in
advance and not get caught up in the
cycle of transmigration. If you are
confused and do not understand, you
will fall into the Relentless Hells.
8:100
”The other person is fond of saying
that Buddhas are appearing in the
world. He claims that in a certain
place a certain person is actually a
transformation body of a certain
Buddha. Or he says that a certain
person is such and such a Bodhisattva
who has come to teach humankind.
People who witness this are filled
with admiration. Their wrong views
multiply, and their Wisdom of Modes
is destroyed. 8:104
”Further, Ananda, in the unhindered
clarity and wonder that ensues after
the feeling skandha is gone, this good
person is untroubled by any deviant
mental state and experiences perfect,
bright concentration. Within samadhi,
his mind craves to roam about, so he
lets his subtle thoughts fly out as he
greedily seeks for adventure. 8:100
”At that time a demon from the
heavens seizes the opportunity it has
been waiting for. Its spirit possesses
another person and uses him as a
mouthpiece to expound the Sutras
and the Dharma. 8:101
”This is a drought ghost that in its old
age has become a demon. It disturbs
and confuses the good person. But
when it tires of doing so, it will leave
the other person’s body. Then both
the disciples and the teacher will get
in trouble with the law. 8:105
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