Uṣṇīṣa Vijaya Dhāraṇī
Chant of Purification and Long Life
A Mahayana Buddhist dharani invoking the Buddha's blessing to purify the mind, remove obstacles, and protect life, recited for longevity and purification.
Verses
Homage to the Blessed One, the sovereign of the three worlds, the Tathāgata, the worthy Arhat, the perfectly awakened Buddha.
Verse 1
Thus:
Verse 2
Om! Purify, purify!
Verse 3
O peerless one, equal to the unequaled, whose radiance pervades all existence, moving with the nature of space, utterly pure!
Verse 4
May you consecrate me.
Verse 5
With the nectar of the Sugata's supreme words, with the anointing of the great mantra syllables.
Verse 6
Bring forth, bring forth!
Verse 7
Sustain life, sustain life!
Verse 8
Cleanse, cleanse!
Verse 9
O pure as space, O victorious Uṣṇīṣa, O utterly pure one!
Verse 10
O one impelled by a thousand rays, beheld by all Tathāgatas, perfecting the six pāramitās!
Verse 11
O great seal, established by the blessing of the hearts of all Tathāgatas!
Verse 12
O utterly pure one, whose vajra body is wholly gathered!
Verse 13
O one who utterly purifies all obscurations, evil destinies, and unfortunate realms, who wards them off, O pure life!
Verse 14
Gather together, gather together, O gatherer of life!
Verse 15
O perfect purity of suchness and the ultimate reality!
Verse 16
Awaken, awaken!
Verse 17
O enlightened one, O enlightened one!
Verse 18
Fully awaken, fully awaken!
Verse 19
Purify, purify!
Verse 20
O great seal, established by the blessing of the all-enlightened ones — svāhā!
Verse 21
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
This is the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani, a Buddhist dhāraṇī (a sacred chant of syllables and phrases believed to carry protective power) associated with the Buddha's crown protuberance (uṣṇīṣa). It is traditionally recited to purify negative karma, avert calamities, and extend life, and is widely used in Tibetan and East Asian Buddhist practice, often as part of daily prayers or rituals for the deceased. The text is preserved in the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra (Taishu Tripitaka No. 967-974), translated into Chinese in the 7th-8th century CE, and is commonly chanted in Sanskrit or its local transliterations.
Did You Know?
Buddhist text
This is the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani, a Buddhist ritual text recited for purification and long life, not a Hindu bhajan. It invokes the Buddha and bodhisattvas, and its Sanskrit title means 'Victorious Crown of the Buddha'.
Structure
The text is a mantra (a string of sacred syllables) that repeats commands like 'purify' and 'sustain life'. It is meant to be chanted aloud, with each repetition believed to cleanse negative karma and extend one's lifespan.
Key figures
It addresses the 'Tathagata' (the Buddha) and mentions 'Sugata' (another name for the Buddha), along with 'Ushnisha' (the crown of the Buddha's head, symbolizing his enlightenment). The 'six perfections' (paramitas) are generosity, ethics, patience, effort, meditation, and wisdom.
Purpose
Traditionally, this dharani is recited to remove obstacles, purify past misdeeds, and ensure a good rebirth. It is often chanted near the dying or at funerals, as it is believed to protect the soul and bring peace.
Language
The text is in Sanskrit, the ancient sacred language of India. Many of its words are imperatives (like 'purify!') directed at the divine, making it a direct, powerful call for spiritual aid.
Cultural context
This dharani is especially popular in Tibetan Buddhism, where it is part of daily practice. It is also inscribed on prayer wheels and stupas, so that even touching or seeing the text is considered beneficial.
Buddha
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