Dharani Gateway

The Chapter Teaching the Purification of Boundless Gateways

Introduction:

The word dhāraṇī derives from the Sanskrit verbal root √dhṛ (“to hold,” “support,” “contain,” “retain,” or “remember”). The sense of containing could be applied to both the formula, which magically “contains” certain qualities, and the person who has obtained this dhāraṇī formula or seal.

Once it has been obtained, that person becomes “sealed” or “stamped” with whatever quality the dhāraṇī contains and subsequently has the power to activate this quality or invoke the corresponding buddha activity.

Though not explicit in the literal meaning of the term, a dhāraṇī is always a vehicle for the blessing of the buddhas and the magical power sealed therein. The sūtras and commentaries often describe the dhāraṇī power of retaining things in memory, but dhāraṇīs can also function as the gateway to innumerable other qualities, such as loving kindness, compassion, and so forth, and invoke any kind of awakened activity.

As for the dhāraṇī formula itself, being a supplication or a command with a message, a dhāraṇī tends to be longer than the average mantra. It may also, and often does, include words devoid of lexical meaning.

Source:
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