What is 転読大般若 (Tendoku-Daihannya)?: Obtaining the Protection of the Sixteen Good Deities and Buddhas through Zazen and Precepts

転読大般若 (Tendoku-Daihannya): Achieving 即身成仏 (Becoming a Buddha in this life) through 身口意(The three ways of practicing: Body, Speech, and Mind)

Key Point: “転読大般若” (Tendoku Daihannya) is a traditional prayer ritual in which one is considered to have read the entire Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra by flipping through its pages. “Daihannya” refers to this sutra, which was brought from India and translated by the Tang dynasty monk Xuanzang. Zen Buddhism adopted prayer rituals from Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. In these esoteric rituals, it is believed that one obtains the protection of Buddhas and guardian deities through the power of observing precepts and the power of mental concentration gained through Zazen. While it is common to participate in a practitioner’s ritual and receive the transferred merit, the most important thing is to perform Zazen yourself, observe the precepts, and practice the cultivation of body, speech, and mind.

What is 転読大般若 (Tendoku-Daihannya)? :A traditional prayer ritual of turning the huge 大般若波羅蜜多経  (The Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra) to complete the reading.

大般若 (Daihannya) refers to 大般若波羅蜜多経 (the Great Perfection) of Wisdom Sutra. This sutra was brought from India and translated by Xuanzang in the Tang Dynasty of China. He had a question about the differences in Buddhist teachings at that time. He broke the law of his country and went to India to get the scriptures. Later, he received protection from Emperor Taizong. This true story is the origin of the famous story, Journey to the West.

In 663, Xuanzang finished the translation and held a memorial service. This is considered the origin of  the ritual of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (Source: Huili (Author), Yanzong (Editor). 大唐大慈恩寺三藏法師傳 [Biography of the Tripitaka Master of the Great Ci’en Monastery of the Great Tang], Vol. 10. SAT Daizokyo Database No. 2053.).

In 703, there is a record that shows the order to perform the ritual of turning the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra in Japan. This is considered the beginning of the ritual of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra in Japan (Source: 続日本紀 [Chronicles of Japan, Continued], Vol. 3-4. National Archives of Japan, Call Number: TOKU-084-0002-0002, https://www.digital.archives.go.jp/img/3988570#5.).

Tendoku-Daihannya:About 転読大般若祈祷 (Tendoku-Daihannya Prayer Ritual)

The Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra consists of six hundred volumes, so it is very difficult to read them all. Therefore, we read only a part of the sutras, and for the rest, we perform 転読 (Tendoku). This means flipping through the pages, which is considered the same as reading them.

During the ritual, the chief priest sits in Zazen, makes hand gestures, and chants mantras. By uniting his 身口意 (body, speech, and mind) with Buddha, he reads the 578th volume of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, which is called 理趣分 (Rishubun, The 578th volume of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra). At the same time, the other monks read the remaining volumes of the six hundred volumes. By reading this sutra, it is said that we can receive protection from deities such as 十六善神 (the Sixteen Good Deities), and this helps us avoid disasters and fulfill our wishes. The Sixteen Good Deities are the guardian deities who protect the sutra and those who chant it. Among them is Jinja Taisho, who is the model for Sha Wujing in “Journey to the West.”

In this ritual, the chief priest performs a practice called 護身法 (Goshinpo) before and after reading the Rishubun. This is a method to protect oneself from disasters. You may have seen ninjas making hand gestures in movies; that practice actually comes from this Buddhist tradition.

Finally, we chant the 消災妙吉祥陀羅尼(Shosai Myokishijo Dharani,Mantra to Disperse Calamities). This is a Buddhist mantra intended to remove all disasters and bring true happiness. Since I performed this ritual alone, it was impossible to read all six hundred volumes. Therefore, I read only a part of the Rishubun (The 578th volume of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra) and performed the turning of the rest. Please note that this prayer ritual can vary in its procedures depending on the sect or the temple, so each practitioner must study these specific traditions carefully.

Tendoku-Daihannya:The Theoretical Foundation of the Tendoku-Daihannya Ritual

The Zen school adopted its prayer rituals from Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. Therefore, I would like to briefly introduce how these esoteric prayer rituals are structured.

Shingon Esoteric Buddhism is a school of Buddhism brought from China and perfected by Kobo Daishi Kukai. Through the practice of “身口意” (Body, Speech, and Mind)—forming hand gestures (body), chanting mantras (mouth), and visualizing the Buddha in the heart (mind)—it aims for “即身成仏,” in other words, becoming a Buddha in this world.

In Shingon Esoteric Buddhist rituals, it is understood that by possessing 戒力(kairiki, the power of observing precepts) and 禅定力(zenjoriki, the power of mental concentration through Zazen), one can obtain 加持力 (kajiriki, the divine protection of Buddhas and guardian deities). Therefore, one does not need innate abilities like psychic powers; rather, one can acquire this kajiriki through training. Since ancient times, it has been believed that this kajiriki can subdue evil spirits and disasters, which is why monks have been requested to perform such rituals.

In Japan, it is common to participate in a practitioner’s prayer ritual and receive the transferred merit (回向); however, it is originally necessary to practice by oneself. Furthermore, the Daihannya Rishubun teaches that reading, reciting, and upholding the sutra brings merit and the protection of Bodhisattvas, but the most important thing is to perform Zazen yourself, observe the precepts, and practice the cultivation of body, speech, and mind.

The Core

• Prayer rituals are defined as obtaining the protection of Buddhas and guardian deities through the power of observing precepts and the power of mental concentration gained through Zazen
• “Daihannya” refers to the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, which was brought from India and translated by the Tang dynasty monk Xuanzang.
• “Tendoku Daihannya” is a traditional prayer ritual in which one is considered to have read the entire Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra by flipping through its pages.

My Experience: The moment I could only pray

Key Point: Prayer is not a service where you pay money to solve problems without putting in any effort. Practicing Zazen daily to cultivate concentration and observing the precepts are, in themselves, a prayer ritual that wards off calamities and leads to the realization of the Buddha’s path.

In Japan, prayer rituals are often associated with paying money for a service. Honestly, ever since I was a child, I had wondered, “Isn’t this just a scam or a dishonest business?”

While I was at a Zen Dojo, I faced a situation that my own efforts could not resolve. It was then that I understood: “Ah, I see. When you have exhausted every possible effort and still find yourself helpless, you reach a state where you have no choice but to pray.”

For example, temples and shrines hold prayer rituals for traffic safety. Even if you are extremely cautious and take every possible precaution, a car might suddenly crash into you, or a meteorite might fall from the sky. This is truly beyond human control. This is the domain of prayer; the idea that you can simply pay money to ensure traffic safety without putting in any effort yourself is a complete misunderstanding.

Interestingly, practicing Zazen daily to cultivate concentration and observing precepts, such as abstaining from alcohol, can contribute significantly to traffic safety. Prayer rituals appear suspicious precisely because people pay others to perform them; however, when considering their essence, they are entirely rational. In other words, practicing Zazen and observing precepts are, in themselves, a prayer ritual that wards off calamities and leads to the realization of the Buddha’s path.