The Dharani Sutra of The Buddha on Longevity, The Extinction of Offences and The Protection of Young Children: 18 of 33

At the sametime, in the palace of the Mara, the Heavenly Mara Bo-Xun who had the penetration of others thoughts, knew that the Buddha was teaching The Dharani Mantra of Longevity, The Extinction of Offences and The Protection of Young Children to the multitude. So he was very angry. He scolded harshly and was worried and displeased.

The King of Mara had three daughters. They saw that their father was extremely angry, uneasy and worried. So they went forth to enquire him, “May we know why our father, The King is so worried, angry and unhappy?”

The Mara’s King answered, “That Monk by the surname Gautama is now speaking The Sutra of Longevity and The Extinction of Offences to innumerable and limitless living beings at Mount Grdhrakuta in Rajagrha. He intends to widely circulate and proclaim this Sutra to all present and future living beings, so that they will attain the bliss of longevity. By doing so, he has invaded my Mara’s state and brought about great harm. So, how can I not give rise to evil thoughts?”

“Now, I want to lead my retinue of relatives and all the Mara’s soldiers to conquer Him. Even if I cannot stop The Monk Gautama from proclaiming The Sutra of Longevity and The Extinction of Offences, but with my present strength of awesome spiritual penetration, I can close the ears of all heavenly beings and the multitudes in that assembly so that they will be unable to hear The Buddha speaks The Sutra.”

After hearing that, the three daughters of Mara immediately advised their father by using the verses, “The Heavenly Mara Bo-Xun has three daughters, who made obeisance before their father, The King and said, ‘The Monk Gautama is The Teacher of God and People, The power of the Mara is unable to affect him. Formerly He dwelt under the Bodhi Tree, When He first sat on the Auspicious Dharma Seat, The three of us tried to lure Him with our beauty, As we are the most beautiful among the Heavenly ladies.’”

We used hundreds kinds of beautiful dances to capture His attention, But the Bodhisattva did not even give rise to a thought of indulgence. He contemplated the three of us like the old ladies, so now He is able to attain The Bodhi of Proper Enlightenment and becomes The Teacher of all beings. Father, you with your bow and arrows tried to frighten Him, with your soldiers and weapons that fully filled up the empty space, But the Bodhisattva contemplated them like the show for children, He was not frightened, neither did He retreat from The Bodhi Mind. So now He is certified to The Bodhi Path and becomes The Dharma King. We only hope that our father, The King will put to rest the evil thought.’”