“Moreover, Ananda, King Yama keeps track of the karmic records of all the inhabitants of the world.
If there are beings who are not filial to their parents, who commit the Five Rebellious Acts, who revile the Triple Jewel, who destroy the laws of the country, or who violate the precept of truthfulness, then Yama, the king of justice, examines and punishes them according to the severity of their offenses.
Therefore, I encourage people to light lamps and make banners, to liberate beings and cultivate blessings so that they can overcome suffering and peril and forestall all disasters.”
At that time, twelve great yaksha generals were present in the assembly.
They were:
General Kumbhira, General Vajra,
General Mihira, General Andira,
General Anila, General Sandira,
General Indra, General Pajra,
General Makura, General Kinnara,
General Catura, and General Vikarala.
These twelve great yaksha generals, each with a retinue of seven thousand yakshas, simultaneously raised their voices and addressed the Buddha, “World Honored One! Today, by relying on the Buddha’s awesome power, we are able to hear the name of the World Honored One, Medicine Master Vaidurya Light Tathagata!
As a result, we are no longer afraid of the evil destinies.
All of us are of one mind to take refuge with the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha to the end of our lives.
We vow to support all living beings and to benefit them, so that they may live in peace and happiness.
In whatever cities, villages, countries, or secluded forests this Sutra circulates, or wherever people accept and uphold the name of Medicine Master Vaidurya Light Tathagata and venerate and make offerings to him, we, together with our retinues, will guard and protect them, deliver them from all distress and fulfill all their wishes.
If a person wishes to dispel illnesses and difficulties, he should read or recite this Sutra and tie a five-colored thread into knots, forming the letters of our names. He should untie the knots when his wishes have been fulfilled.”
At that time, the World Honored One praised the great yaksha generals, saying,
“Good indeed, good indeed, mighty yaksha generals! All of you who want to repay the kindness of the World Honored One, Medicine Master Vaidurya Light Tathagata, should always benefit beings and bring peace and happiness to them in this way.”
Then Ananda said to the Buddha, “World Honored One, what should we call this teaching? How should we uphold it?”
The Buddha told Ananda, “This teaching is called, ‘The Merit and Virtue of the Past Vows of Medicine Master Vaidurya Light Tathagata.’ It is also called, ‘Twelve Spiritual Generals’ Vows to Use Spiritual Mantras to Benefit Living Beings.’ It is also called, ‘Eradicating All Karmic Obstacles.’ You should uphold it in this way.”
When the Bhagavan had finished speaking, all the Bodhisattvas, Mahasattvas, great Hearers, kings, ministers, Brahmans, laypeople, gods,dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans and non-human beings, and all the great assembly, on hearing what the Buddha had said, were greatly delighted.
They received it with faith and respectfully practiced it.
The central idea of the passage is that the Buddha encourages people to cultivate good karma and seek refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha to avoid suffering and achieve happiness. The passage emphasizes the importance of filial piety, avoiding the Five Rebellious Acts, and respecting the Triple Jewel. It also introduces the concept of twelve great yaksha generals who vow to protect and benefit those who uphold the name of Medicine Master Vaidurya Light Tathagata. The passage concludes with the Buddha giving the teaching a name and encouraging everyone to practice it.
