Dharma protectors for the Threefold Refuges and Five Lay Precepts

According to the Abhisheka Sutra, there are 36 Dharma protectors dispatched from the heavenly realms together with their countless retinues to protect anyone who takes refuge in the Triple Gems, and a further 25 protectors who protect those who uphold the five lay precepts.  Taking refuge has many benefits like this. Patrul Rinpoche wrote in the Words of My Perfect Teacher that it is a helpful practice to recite a hundred thousand times of the refuge prayer when you need to overcome heavy obstacles. The Sutra used in this translation is from the Chinese canon of the Tripitaka. 

~~

佛说灌顶三归五戒带佩护身咒经
Abhisheka Sutra
Extracted from the chapter on the Threefold Refuges, Five Precepts and Mantras to be worn for bodily protection
(A rough translation)


闻如是。一时佛在舍卫国只树给孤独园时。与千二百五十比丘菩萨万人。天龙八部悉来在会。咸然一心叉手听法。
Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was in the Jeta Grove of Anāthapiṇḍada, Śrāvastī, together with an assembly of one thousand two hundred and fifty Bhikṣus, ten thousand Bodhisattvas, and the eight classes of devas, nagas and beings. All were listening to the Dharma intently with one mind.

于是异道有鹿头梵志。来到佛所稽首作礼。胡跪合掌白佛言。久闻瞿昙名声远振。今欲舍置异学。受三自归并五戒法。
At that time, there was a follower of another path, a Brahmin named Deer Head. He came in the presence of Buddha, bowed his head, made obeisance, knelt on one knee and joined his palms, saying, “I have long heard that the name of Gautama is renowned far and wide. Today I wish to leave behind the outsider's teachings and receive the Threefold Refuge and the Five Precepts.”

佛言善哉善哉梵志。汝能舍置余道归命我者。当自悔过生死之罪。其劫无量不可称计。
The Buddha said, “Good indeed, good indeed, Brahmin, that you are able to abandon other paths and take refuge in me. You should repent of the sins of birth and death which lasts for immeasurable kalpas and cannot be reckoned.”

梵志言诺受教。即净身口意复作是念。惟愿世尊施我法戒。终身奉行不敢毁缺。佛言是为如来至真等正觉三世诸佛说是戒法。佛言梵志谛听谛受心持念之。又言梵志尽形寿归命诸佛无上尊。尽形寿归命法离欲尊。尽形寿归命僧众中尊。佛言梵志以三自归竟。是为真正弟子。不为邪恶之所忓娆。
The Brahmin acquiesced and setting his body, speech, and mind in a state of purity, he formed this thought, “I only wish that the World-Honored One will bestow upon me the Dharma precepts which I shall uphold for my entire life, not daring to damage or break them.”

The Buddha said, “These precepts are spoken by the Tathāgata, Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the past, present and future.” Further, the Buddha said, “Brahmin, listen carefully, receive them carefully, and hold them in mind.” And further, “Brahmin, for the entirety of your life take refuge in the Buddhas, the unsurpassed sublime one. For the entirety of your life take refuge in the sublime Dharma which is free from desire. For the entirety of your life take refuge in the Sangha, venerated by all.”

The Buddha said, “Brahmin, by taking the Threefold Refuge, you become a true disciple and will not be disturbed by negative forces.”

佛言梵志汝能一心受三自归已。我当为汝及十方人。敕天帝释所遣诸鬼神。以护男子女人辈受三归者。梵志因问佛言。何等是也愿欲闻之。开化十方诸受归者。佛言如是灌顶善神。今当为汝略说三十六。
The Buddha said, “Brahmin, since you are able to receive the Threefold Refuge with one mind, for you and everyone in the ten directions, I shall order Śakra, Lord of the Devas, to dispatch various devas and spirits to protect men and women who have taken the Three Refuges.”

The Brahmin then asked the Buddha, saying, “Who are these? Please speak of them to make it clear to all beings who have taken refuge.” The Buddha said, “I shall now briefly speak of the thirty-six empowered virtuous devas.

"Devas dispatched from the Heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings are:

四天上遣神名弥栗头不罗婆(汉言善光主疾病)
四天上遣神名弥栗头婆呵娑(汉言善明主头痛)
四天上遣神名弥栗头婆逻波(汉言善力主寒热)
四天上遣神名弥栗头栴陀罗(汉言善月主腹满)
四天上遣神名弥栗头陀利奢(汉言善见主痈肿)
四天上遣神名弥栗头阿楼呵(汉言善供主癫狂)
"the deva named Virtuous Light governs illness;
the deva named Virtuous Clarity governs headaches;
the deva named Virtuous Strength governs cold and hot (illnesses);
The deva named Virtuous Moon governs abdominal bloating;
The deva named Virtuous View governs abscesses;
The deva named Virtuous Offering governs madness;

四天上遣神名弥栗头伽娑婆帝(汉言善舍主愚痴)
四天上遣神名弥栗头悉坻哆(汉言善寂主瞋恚)
四天上遣神名弥栗头菩提萨(汉言善觉主淫欲)
四天上遣神名弥栗头提波罗(汉言善天主邪鬼)
四天上遣神名弥栗头呵波帝(汉言善住主伤亡)
四天上遣神名弥栗头不若罗(汉言善福主冢墓)
"the deva named Virtuous Renunciation governs ignorance;
the deva named Virtuous Peace governs anger;
the deva named Virtuous Awareness governs sexual desire;
the deva named Virtuous Heaven governs evil spirits;
the deva named Virtuous Abiding governs injury and death;
the deva named Virtuous Fortune governs graves and tombs;

四天上遣神名弥栗头苾阇伽(汉言善术主四方)
四天上遣神名弥栗头伽丽娑(汉言善帝主怨家)
四天上遣神名弥栗头罗阇遮(汉言善主主偷盗)
四天上遣神名弥栗头修乾陀(汉言善香主债主)
四天上遣神名弥栗头檀那波(汉言善施主劫贼)
四天上遣神名弥栗头支多那(汉言善意主疫毒)
"the deva named Virtuous Skill governs the four directions;
the deva named Virtuous King governs enemies;
the deva named Virtuous Owner governs theft;
the deva named Virtuous Fragrance governs creditors;
the deva named Virtuous Giving governs robbers;
the deva named Virtuous Thought governs epidemics and poisons;

四天上遣神名弥栗头罗婆那(汉言善吉主五温)
四天上遣神名弥栗头钵婆驮(汉言善山主蜚尸)
四天上遣神名弥栗头三摩陀(汉言善调主注连)
四天上遣神名弥栗头戾禘驮(汉言善备主注腹)
四天上遣神名弥栗头波利陀(汉言善敬主相引)
四天上遣神名弥栗头波利那(汉言善净主恶党)
"the deva named Virtuous Auspiciousness governs the five plagues;
the deva named Virtuous Mountain governs wandering gods and demons;
the deva named Virtuous Harmony governs contagious disease;
the deva named Virtuous Preparation governs abdominal disease;
the deva named Virtuous Respect governs attraction;
the deva named Virtuous Respect governs evil factions;

四天上遣神名弥栗头虔伽地(汉言善品主蛊毒)
四天上遣神名弥栗头毘梨驮(汉言善结主恐怖)
四天上遣神名弥栗头支陀那(汉言善寿主厄难)
四天上遣神名弥栗头伽林摩(汉言善游主产乳)
四天上遣神名弥栗头阿留伽(汉言善愿主县官)
四天上遣神名弥栗头阇利驮(汉言善因主口舌)
"the deva named Virtuous Qualities governs hex poisons;
the deva named Virtuous Knot governs fear;
the deva named Virtuous Lifespan governs hardships and calamities ;
the deva named Virtuous Wandering governs childbirth and nursing;
the deva named Virtuous Wish governs officials;
the deva named Virtuous Cause governs verbal disputes;

四天上遣神名弥栗头阿伽驮(汉言善照主忧恼)
四天上遣神名弥栗头阿诃娑(汉言善生主不安)
四天上遣神名弥栗头娑和逻(汉言善至主百怪)
四天上遣神名弥栗头波利那(汉言善藏主嫉妒)
四天上遣神名弥栗头周陀那(汉言善音主咒咀)
四天上遣神名弥栗头韦陀罗(汉言善妙主厌祷)
"the deva named Virtuous Care governs afflictions and worries;
the deva named Virtuous Birth governs anxiety;
the deva named Virtuous Utmost governs demons;
the deva named Virtuous Store governs jealousy;
the deva named Virtuous Sound governs curses;
the deva named Virtuous Wonder governs shamanism"

佛语梵志。是为三十六部神王。此诸善神凡有万亿恒河沙鬼神。以为眷属阴相番代。以护男子女人等辈受三归者。当书神王名字带在身上。行来出入无所畏也。辟除邪恶消灭不善。梵志言诺唯唯天中天。
The Buddha said to the Brahmin, “These are the thirty-six deva kings. Each of these virtuous devas has a retinue of trillions of devas and spirits, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges river; they cannot be seen (by human eyes) and take turns to guard men and women who uphold the Threefold Refuge.

One should write the names of these deva kings and carry them on the body. There will be no fear when travelling around. They repel negative forces and eliminate non-virtue.” The Brahmin acquiesced, “Yes, Heaven-honored One!”

梵志又白佛言。世尊以赐三自归法。天帝遣善神三十六大王护助我身。已蒙世尊哀愍救度。今更顶礼请受法戒。佛言善哉梵志汝当净身口意。恳恻至心敬受法戒。 佛言十方三世如来至真等正觉。皆由三归五戒得之。佛言梵志尽形寿。不杀生不教他杀。是戒能持不。若能持有五神王随逐护汝身。不令邪神恶鬼之所得便。

The Brahmin again addressed the Buddha, saying, “World-Honored One, you have bestowed the Threefold Refuge; the Lord of the devas has dispatched thirty-six great deva kings to protect my body. I have received the World-Honored One’s compassionate salvation. Now is the time to pay homage again and request to receive the precepts.”

The Buddha said, “Good indeed, Brahmin. You should purify body, speech, and mind, and with earnest sincerity, respectfully receive the precepts.”

The Buddha said, “All Tathāgatas of the ten directions and three times attain perfect enlightenment through the Three Refuges and Five Precepts.”

The Buddha said to the Brahmin, “For the entirety of your life, do not kill living beings and do not tell others to kill. Can you uphold this precept? If you can uphold it, five deva kings will follow and protect your body, not allowing evil devas and wicked spirits to get their way.”

梵志尽形寿。不盗他人财宝不教他行盗。是戒能持不。若能持者。有五善神王随逐护汝身。梵志尽形寿不邪淫是戒能持不若能持者。有五神王随逐护汝身。众魔皆不得便。梵志尽形寿。不妄言绮语两舌鬪乱。是戒能持不。若能持者。有五神王随逐护汝身。梵志尽形寿。不饮谷酒甘蔗酒葡萄酒能放逸酒。如是等酒皆不得饮。是戒能持不。若能持者。有五善神王随逐护汝身。

“Brahmin, for the entirety of your life, do not steal the wealth of others and do not tell others to steal. Can you uphold this precept? If you can uphold it, five virtuous deva kings will follow and protect your body.”

“Brahmin, for the entirety of your life, do not engage in sexual misconduct. Can you uphold this precept? If you can uphold it, five deva kings will follow and protect your body, and the demons will not get their way.”

“Brahmin, for the entirety of your life, do not speak lies, engage in idle speech, divisive speech or contentious speech. Can you uphold this precept? If you can uphold it, five deva kings will follow and protect your body.”

“Brahmin, for the entirety of your life, do not drink grain wine, Cachaça, grape wine, or any alcohol that causes heedlessness. All such wines must not be drunk. Can you uphold this precept? If you can uphold it, five virtuous deva kings will follow and protect your body.”

佛语梵志。是为三归五戒法也。汝善持之勿有毁犯。说已。梵志因白佛言。世尊说言若持五戒者。有二十五善神。卫护人身在人左右。守于宫宅门户之上。使万事吉祥。惟愿世尊为我说之。佛言梵志我今略演。敕天帝释使四天王。遣诸善神营护汝身。如是章句善神名字。二十五王其名如是。
The Buddha said to the Brahmin, “These are the Three Refuges and Five Precepts. Uphold it well and do not transgress it.” With this, the Brahmin said to the Buddha, “World-Honored One, you have said that if one upholds the Five Precepts, there are twenty-five virtuous devas who guard the body, following by one’s side, guarding the home and its entrance, bringing auspiciousness. May the World-Honored One explain this to me.” The Buddha said, “Brahmin, I shall now briefly explain. I commanded Śakra to have the Four Heavenly Kings dispatch virtuous devas to protect your body. These are the verses listing the devas’ names. The twenty-five deva kings are as follows:

神名蔡刍毘愈他尼主护人身辟除邪恶
神名输多利输陀尼主护人六情悉令完具
神名毘楼遮耶波主护人腹内五藏平调
神名阿陀龙摩坻主护人血脉悉令通畅
神名波罗桓尼和尼主护人爪指无所毁伤
"The deva named Chāchūpiyutani, who protects the body and dispels negative forces;
the deva named Sūtarīsutani, who protects the six emotions of the person, keeping them intact;
the deva named Virūchanasēpa, who protects the person’s internal organs, ensuring their balance;
the deva named Ātālongmoti, who protects the person’s blood vessels, ensuring they are unobstructed;
the deva named Sārahaniwapa, who protects the person’s nails and fingers from damage;

神名坻摩阿毘婆驮主护人出入行来安宁
神名阿修轮婆罗陀主护人所啖饮食甘香
神名婆罗摩亶雄雌主护人梦安觉欢悦
神名婆罗门地鞞哆主护人不为虫毒所中
神名那摩吁多耶舍主护人不为雾露恶毒所害
"the deva named Timābhipata, who protects the person’s safety in travels;
the deva named Asurambarani, who ensures the person’s food and drink are of good taste;
the deva named Brahmadhānyūmā, who ensures the person’s dreams are peaceful and sleep is good;
the deva named Brahmāndibita, who protects the person from the harm of poisonous insects;
the deva named Namahudayaśa, who protects the person from harm caused by noxious fog or dew;

神名佛驮仙陀楼多主护人鬪诤口舌不行
神名鞞阇耶薮多娑主护人不为温疟鬼所持
神名涅坻醯驮多耶主护人不为县官所得
神名阿逻多赖都耶主护人舍宅四方逐凶殃
神名波罗那佛昙主护人平定舍宅八神
"the deva named Buddhachandāluta, who ensures the person does not engage in disputes or quarrels;
the deva named Bīyasūtabha, who protects the person from malaria-causing spirits;
the deva named Nēchihaitadaya, who protects the person from being troubled by government officials;
the deva named Āratalaitūya, who ensures the person’s household is free from calamities;
the deva named Pāranābuddha, who ensures the household is stable and protected by eight devas;

神名阿提梵者珊耶主护人不为冢墓鬼所娆
神名因台罗因台罗主护人门户辟除邪恶
神名三摩毘罗尸陀主护人四大安隐无病(此神名丹本无)
神名阿伽岚施婆多主护人不为外气鬼神害
神名佛昙弥摩多哆主护人不为灾火所近
"the deva named Ātivanjashanya, who ensures the person is not harassed by cemetery ghosts;
the deva named Indairāindaira, who protects the person’s doorways, dispelling evil;
the deva named Samāvīraśita, who balances the person’s four elements, dispelling sickness;
the deva named Āgāvandaratā, who protects the person from harm caused by external vapors, spirits and devas;
the deva named Buddhāmimotada, who ensures the person is safe from fire disasters;

神名多赖叉三密陀主护人不为偷盗所侵
神名阿摩罗斯兜嘻主护人若入山林不为虎狼所害
神名那罗门阇兜帝主护人不为伤亡所娆
神名萨鞞尼乾那波主护人除诸鸟鸣狐鸣
神名荼鞞阇毘舍罗主护人除犬鼠变怪
"the deva named Dalaichasāmitā, who protects the person from theft;
The deva named Āmarastōhi, who ensures the person’s safety from tigers and wolves (wild animals) in forests;
The deva named Nārāmangadōti, who protects the person from injury and death;
The deva named Sābinikanapā, who dispels the cries of birds and foxes;
The deva named Jābimenvishara, who protects from spirits of dogs or mice."

佛告梵志言。若男子女人带佩此二十五灌顶章句善神名者。若入军阵鬪诤之时。刀不伤身箭射不入。鬼神罗刹终不娆近。若到蛊道家亦不能害。若行来出入有小魔鬼亦不得近。带佩此神王名者夜无恶梦。县官盗贼水火灾怪。怨家闇谋口舌鬪乱。自然欢喜两作和解。俱生慈心恶意悉灭。
The Buddha told the Brahmin, saying, “If men or women carry these verses with the names of the twenty-five virtuous devas with them, then blades will not wound and arrows will not pierce the body in military skirmishes or armed conflicts. Spirits, devas and rākṣasas will not disturb or approach. If one arrives at a house of hex-sorcery, one will not receive harm. When travelling, minor demons cannot come near.

“Those who carry these names of the deva-kings will not experience nightmares at night. Government officials, thieves, fire, water, calamities, demons, enemy insidious plots, disputes and quarrels (will be averted). There will be natural happiness; both sides will make peace. All will give rise to a compassionate mind and all evil intentions will be extinguished.

魑魅魍魉邪忤薜荔。外道符咒厌祷之者。树木精魅百虫精魅。鸟狩精魅溪谷精魅。门中鬼神户中鬼神。井灶鬼神洿池鬼神。厕溷中鬼一切诸鬼神。皆不得留住某甲身中。若男子女人。带此三归五戒善神名字者。某甲入山陵溪谷。旷路抄贼自然不现。师子虎狼罴熊之属。悉自藏缩不害人也。

“Malevolent spirits, evil and non-congenial influences, pretas, externalist talismans and incantations, shamans, tree spirits, insect spirits, bird spirits, beast spirits, valley and gorge spirits, door deva-spirits, house deva-spirits, well deva-spirits, stove deva-spirits, pond deva-spirits, latrine deva-spirits, and all manner of devas and spirits—none are able to remain within the body of such a person.

“If men or women carry these names of the virtuous devas of Three Refuges and Five Precepts, when they enter mountains, hills, streams, valleys, raiding bandits in secluded roads do not appear. Lions, tigers, wolves, bears and the like conceal themselves and do not harm them.”