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To these sentient beings I shall reveal This sutra called Sublime Golden Light, Which rids one of every harmful misdeed And expounds upon the profound. |
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Sutra of Golden Light
At the beginning of the Sutra of Golden Light, Buddha Shakyamuni, the Tathagata, the Arhat, the Fully Enlightened, calls to anyone experiencing misery and affliction, bad health, poverty, loss, abuse, ill will, fear, nightmares, or other harms. He says to make the mind virtuous and to come and listen.
This “King of Glorious Sutras,” contains everything needed, from daily happiness to complete Enlightenment. It contains a heart-rending practice of confession and rejoicing, profound teachings on dependent arising, reliable assurances of protection, guidelines for ideal government, and awe-inspiring stories of the Buddha’s previous lives, in which the Buddha shows how, even before he had completely eliminated the delusions, he liberated countless beings from the ocean of suffering through compassion and personal courage. The Sutra of Golden Light moves us to do what has to be done and clearly describes the result.
On July 10, 2007, while attending the Deer Park Summer Course, Beth Simon made this request to Lama Zopa Rinpoche: “Please tell me what would please you”. Rinpoche told Beth to recite the Sutra of Golden Light and to tell her friends to recite it.
Rinpoche said, “This is what I want. This is what I ask. This will make me happy.”
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This sutra is inconceivable, For its ocean of virtue is without end; It frees every being From countless oceans of suffering. |
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This King of Glorious Sutras Fully destroys external enemies, Turns back legions of foreign armies, Removes the fear of the terrified and poor And causes supreme virtue. |
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For beings without merit, The store of their merit Will grow into a limitless, incalculable, inconceivable mass. |
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Benefits of the Sutra of Golden Light
Lama Zopa Rinpoche urges us to recite the Sutra of Golden Light every day. The benefits from reciting, listening to, or even hearing the name of the sutra are immeasurable, from eliminating conflict, terrorism, torture and famine to achieving full enlightenment.
Therefore, Rinpoche says, recite even one page every day, and if possible, do so with others.
Photographer, Andrew Melnic
Dedicating
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By the sound of this majestic drum of golden light, May the suffering of lower migration, Yama and the poverty of the three realms Of the triple thousand worlds cease to be. |
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The sutra manifested as a drum in a Bodhisattva’s dream. From the drum came verses of aspiration and dedication.
Reporting Recitations
Buddha Shakyamuni gives this advice:
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The one who wishes to make unimaginable offerings to all buddhas, and who wishes to know the profound sphere of tathagatas should go to that place – whether monastery or dwelling – where this sublime sutra is explained. |
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We want to keep a tally of the number of complete recitations. Whenever you finish the sutra, report your recitation.
If you are reporting group recitations, please include the total number of completed recitations of the sutra
Photographer, Andrew Melnic
Experiences with Sutra of Golden Light
Contact with the Sutra of Golden Light can produce new thoughts, changed understanding, interesting dreams, strengthened motivation, and who knows what else!
Lama Zopa Rinpoche has specifically asked to hear about our experiences with the Sutra of Golden Light. One man reported to Beth that he received a copy of the sutra in the mail and immediately he had an urge to light incense. In the Sutra, the four great kings themselves say that when one offers even one stick of incense, the fragrance calls forth all of the protectors and draws them to the place where the sutra is being honored!
Describe your experiences with hearing, reading, reciting, giving or receiving, or just thinking about the Sutra of Golden Light, and to respond to other’s experiences.
Questions about Sutra of Golden Light
As you read, recite, and think about this profound sutra, questions will arise. Use this link to post questions and read responses.
Download
Download the Sutra of Golden Light texts in various languages
Audio (MP3s)
You can download, save, and listen to this oral transmission on your computer. The files can also be transfered to a portable MP3 player or burned onto CDs.
For Windows -- "Right-click" on the file link below. Then use the command
- "Save Target As..." - Internet Explorer
- "Save Link As..." - Firefox
For Macintosh -- Hold down the "Control Button" on your keyboard and click on the file link below. Then use the command "SAVE AS..."
by Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche
If you would like to obtain an MP3 disc of this and other sutra oral transmissions given by Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, please visit the Foundation Store:
www.fpmt.org/shop/product1.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=1583&Category_ID=25
This recording was kindly provided to us by The Media Lab, a project of FPMT center Land of Medicine Buddha. The Media Lab digitally records, archives and distributes the Tibetan Buddhist teachings given at Land of Medicine Buddha by respected Western teachers and great Tibetan masters. For more information, see www.medicinebuddha.org/dharma_dvd_tibetan_buddhism_buddhist_video.htm
With grateful thanks to Beth Simon, who is looking after these pages at Rinpoche's request.