The Quintessence of the Sun

The Quintessence of the Sun (Skt. Sūryagarbha; Tib. ཉི་མའི་སྙིང་པོ།, Wyl. nyi ma’i snying po) is a long sutra in eleven chapters containing many different topics. At the Venuvana in the Kalandakanivapa on the outskirts of Rajagriha, the Buddha Shakyamuni first explains to a great assembly the severe consequences of stealing what has been offered to monks and the importance of protecting those who abide by the Dharma. The next section tells of bodhisattvas sent from Buddha fields in the four directions to bring various dharanis as a way of protecting and benefitting this world. While explaining those dharanis, the Buddha Shakyamuni presents various meditations on repulsiveness and instructions on the empty nature of phenomena. On the basis of another long narrative involving Mara and groups of nagas, detailed teachings on astrology are also introduced, as are a number of additional dharanis and a list of sacred locations blessed by the presence of holy beings.

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The Tibetan translation of this sutra can be found in the General Sutra section of the Tibetan Dergé Kangyur, Toh 257

• English translation: The Quintessence of the Sun