The Great Amulet

The Noble Queen of Incantations: The Great Amulet (Skt. Mahāpratisarā; Tib. སོ་སོར་སྦྲང་བ་ཆེན་མོ།, Wyl. so sor sbrang ba chen mo), one of five texts that constitute the Pancharaksha scriptural collection, has been among the most popular texts used for pragmatic purposes throughout the Mahayana Buddhist world. As its title suggests, The Great Amulet prescribes the use of amulets into which the incantation is physically incorporated. These devices are then worn around the neck or arm, attached to flags, interred in stupas and funeral pyres, or otherwise used anywhere their presence is deemed beneficial. Wearing or encountering the incantation promises a range of effects, including the prevention and healing of illness, the conception and birth of male offspring, and control over the world of non-human spirit entities. The text also protects against consequences of negative deeds, delivering evildoers from negative rebirths and ensuring their place among the gods. The promise of augmenting merit even extends in one passage to an increase of mindfulness and liberation from samsara.

Text

The Tibetan translation of this sutra can be found in the Tantra section of the Tibetan Dergé Kangyur, Toh 561

• English translation: The Great Amulet

Internal Links

• Destroyer of the Great Trichiliocosm Tantra
• The Queen of Incantations: The Great Peahen
• The Sutra of Great Cool Grove
• Upholding the Great Secret Mantra