Dharma Realm Buddhist Association - Nederland

The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sūtra

Chapter 25

The Universal Door of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara

(Guan Shi Yin – Chenrezig – Padmapāṇi –

The Bodhisattva who contemplates the Sounds/Cries of the World –

The Bodhisattva who listen to the Sounds/Cries of the World

The Observer of the Sounds/Cries of the World)

(The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion)

Translated from the Sanskrit into Chinese by

Tripiṭaka Dharma Master Kumārajīva of the Yao Qin Dynasty.

Translated from Chinese into English by

the Buddhist Text Translation Society / Dharma Realm Buddhist University.

At that time, the Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, placed respectfully his palms together, faced the Buddha, and said, “Bhagavān! How did the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara earn the name ‘observer of the sounds of the world’?”

The Buddha said to the Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve, “Good man! If countless billions of beings who are tormented by all kinds of sufferings and hardships, hear of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara and single-mindedly call out his name, then the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara will immediately hear their voices and relief them of their sufferings and hardships.

“If someone who recollects the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara falls into a great fire, then the fire will not burn that person, all because of the awesome spiritual powers of this Bodhisattva.

“If someone that has fallen into wild and dangerous water, call out his name, then that person will quickly reach a shallow place.

“If billions of beings take to the sea with their ships, in search of treasures, such as gold, silver, vaidurya, giant clam shell, carnelian, coral, amber, pearls, and so forth. Then their ships can be blown out of course by violent squalls and be set adrift into the territories of the rākṣasa-ghosts. But if there is just one person among them that calls out the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, then they will all be saved from the dangers of the rākṣasa-ghosts. For this reason he is called Avalokiteśvara.

“If someone that is about to be harmed, calls out the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, then the knifes and mallets of the assailants will break into pieces and that person will escape the danger.

“If the whole trichiliocosm were filled with yākṣa-ghosts and rākṣasa-ghosts determined to vex people, but if those maleficent ghosts hear someone call out the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, then all those evil ghosts would not even be able to glare at people with their evil eyes, how much less harm them.

“If someone who is either justly or unjustly imprisoned or who has been shackled, calls out the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, then all fetters will break open and that person will immediately be freed.

“If vicious bandits, as numerous that they could fill the entire trichiliocosm, infest a perilous road. Where along a merchant chief is guiding a caravan that is transporting precious goods. But if there is just one person among them that says, ‘Good men! Do not be afraid! All of you should single-mindedly call out the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, this Bodhisattva can bestow fearlessness upon beings! If we ask this Bodhisattva for help then we will surely escape the dangers of these bandits!’ And if upon hearing this exhortation, all merchants call out in unison, ‘Namo Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara!’ Then they will be save because they called out his name.

“Infinite Resolve! The spiritual powers of the Bodhisattva, Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara are as lofty and magnificent as that!

“If beings that have to much sexual desire, constantly and reverently recite the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, then they will leave lust behind.

“If beings that have to much anger, constantly and reverently recite the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, then they will leave anger behind.

“If beings that are very stupid, constantly and reverently recite the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, then they will leave stupidity behind.

“Infinite Resolve! The Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara has great awesome spiritual powers such as these and uses them to vastly benefit beings. Therefore, beings should always be mindful of him!

“If women who wishes to have sons, make offerings to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara and worship him, then they will give birth to sons who will be happy, virtues, and wise. Or if they wishes to have daughters, then they will give birth to beautiful daughters with wholesome characters who are loved and respected by all.

“Infinite Resolve! The Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara has powers such as these! If there are beings who respectfully worship the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, then they will be blessed and their efforts will not be in vain. Therefore, all beings should be mindful of the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara!

“Infinite Resolve! Suppose there is someone who is mindful of the names of Bodhisattvas as numerous as the sand grains in sixty-two billion of Ganges rivers. And in addition would make extensively offerings to them of food, drink, clothing, bedding, and medicines. What do you think, would the merit of this virtues person be great?”

The Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve replied, “Very great, Bhagavān!”

The Buddha said, “But if there is an other person who is mindful of the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, or worships him, or makes offeringen to him for even an instant. Then the gained blessings of these two people would be identical to each other, and cannot be exhausted during billions of lifetimes.

“Infinite Resolve! Being mindful of the name of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara brings such limitless and boundless blessings and benefits as this!”

The Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve asked the Buddha, “Bhagavān! How does the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara roam throughout this Sahā-world, how does he teach the Dharma to beings and what kind of expedient means does he use?”

The Buddha answered the Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve, “Good man! If there are beings in this Sahā-world that must be saved by a Buddha, then the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara will appear as a Buddha and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by a Pratyekabuddha, then he will appear as a Pratyekabuddha and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by a Śravaka, then he will appear as a Śravaka and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by Lord Brahmā, then he will appear as Lord Brahmā and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by Lord Śakra, then he will appear as Lord Śakra and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by Īśvara, then he will appear as Īśvara and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by Mahā-Īśvara, then he will appear as Mahā-Īśvara and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by a mighty Heavenly General, then he will appear as a mighty Heavenly General and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by Vaiśravaṇa, then he will appear as Vaiśravaṇa and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by a minor king, then he will appear as a minor king and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by an Elder, then he will appear as an Elder and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by a layperson, then he will appear as a layperson and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by a government official, then he will appear as a government official and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by a priest, then he will appear as a priest and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by a bhikṣu, bhikṣuni, upāsaka, or upāsikā, then he will appear as a bhikṣu, bhikṣuni, upāsaka, or upāsikā and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by a wife of an Elder, Layperson, government official, or priest, then he will appear as a wife and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by a boy or a girl, then he will appear as a boy or a girl and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by a god, dragon, yakṣa, gandharva, asura, garuda, kinnara, mahoraga, human, non-human, or the like, then he will appear in the appropriate body and speak Dharma for them.

“If there are those who must be saved by Vajrapāṇi, then he will appear as Vajrapāṇi and speak Dharma for them.

“Infinite Resolve! The Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara does such meritorious deeds and confers benefits like this, as he appears in all kinds of forms throughout this Sahā-world to save and liberate beings!

“Therefore, all of you should single-mindedly make offerings to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. The Bodhisattva, Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara can in the midst of fear, crisis, and emergencies bestow fearlessness. Therefore, everyone calls him the ‘Giver of fearlessness’ in this Sahā-world.”

The Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve said to the Buddha, “Bhagavān, I will now make an offering to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.”

He then removed his necklace that was laden with precious pearls, which had a value of hundreds of thousands of ounces of gold, and offered it to the Bodhisattva, saying, “Humane One, please accept this Dharma-offering, this necklace of precious pearls.”

But the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara refused to accept it.

The Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve said again to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, “Humane One, out of pity for us, please accept this necklace.”

Then the Buddha said to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, “You should take pity on the Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve and the four-fold assembly, as well as the gods, dragons, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, non-humans, and others, and accept this necklace.”

Then out of pity for the four-fold assembly, as well as the gods, dragons, humans, non-humans, and others, the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara accepted the necklace. He divided it into two parts, the first part he offered to the Buddha Śākyamuni and the second part he offered to the Stūpa of the Buddha Many Jewels.

“Infinite Resolve! With such inconceivable spiritual powers roam the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara throughout this Sahā-world.”

At that time, the Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve restated the Buddha’s answer to his question in verses,

“Bhagavān, whose wondrous hallmarks are complete,

I now ask you once again,

why is this disciple of the Buddha,

called Avalokiteśvara?

“The Honored One, replete with wondrous hallmarks,

answered Infinite Resolve in verses,

let me tell you about the good deeds of Avalokiteśvara,

who skillfully respond to every plea.

“With a boundless resolve, as deep as an ocean,

during inconceivable many eons,

he served billions of Buddhas, and in their presence

made great and pure vows.

“I shall now tell you in brief,

that those who hear his name or see him,

and are constantly mindful of his name,

they can put an end to all sorrows of existence.

“If someone who want to cause you harm,

pushes you into a blazing pit of fire,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then the pit of fire will turn into a pool.

“If you are drowning in the ocean,

and are surrounded by the dangers of dragons, fishes, and ghosts,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then the weaves not drown you.

“If you stand on the peak of mount Sumeru,

and someone else pushes you off,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then like the sun you will remain suspended in midair.

“If you are pursued by evil people,

and tumble down a vajra mountain,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then you will not be harmed in the slightest.

“If you are surrounded by vicious bandits,

who threaten you with knifes,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then their evil hearts will turn kind.

“If you are sentenced to death by the state,

and are about to be executed,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then the weapon of executioner will break into pieces.

“If you are imprisoned,

with your hands and feet bound,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then your bounds will break apart and you will be free.

“If someone want to harm you,

with hexes, curses, or poisons,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then all the harm will return to the sender.

“If you encounter evil rākṣasa-ghosts,

venomous dragons, or ghosts,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then none of them will dare to harm you.

“If you are encircled by vicious beasts,

with their fearsome fangs and claws,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then they will quickly flee in all directions.

“If you face venomous snakes and scorpions,

who spit poisonous fumes,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then by the sound of ones voice they will disappear.

“When thunderclouds sends out lightning,

they can let fall hail and heavy rain,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then the clouds will immediately disperse.

“All beings are beset with hardships,

and oppressed by limitless sufferings,

the power of the wondrous wisdom of Avalokiteśvara,

can save the world from suffering.

“Endowed with all spiritual powers,

and vast wisdom and skillful means,

throughout the worlds of the ten directions,

there is none where he does not appear.

“The agony of the evil realms,

that of the hells, ghosts, and animals,

and the suffering of birth, old age, sickness, and death,

are gradually wiped away.

“True Observer, Pure Observer,

Observer with vast and great wisdom,

Compassionate Observer, Kind Observer,

may we consistently behold you with reverence!

“His pure and clear light,

shines like a wisdom-sun that dispels the darkness,

which is able to quell disasters of wind and fire,

as it shines on all worlds.

“Compassionate substance: thundercloud of Precepts,

a wondrous great cloud of mercy who covers all,

he rains down sweet dew Dharma rain,

which extinguishes the flames of afflictions.

“In the midst of conflict, when one is pursued in the courts,

or when one is terrorized by battling armies,

evoke the powers of Avalokiteśvara,

then all enmity will disappear.

“Wondrous is your sound: Observer of the sounds of the world,

a pure sound, a sound like the ocean tides,

a sound transcending every worldly sounds,

we shall keep it forever in our minds.

“In thought after thought we have no doubt,

Avalokiteśvara is pure and Holy,

in times of suffering, agony, danger, and death,

he is our refuge and protector.

“Replete with all merit and virtue,

his kind eyes observe all beings,

he is endowed with infinite blessings, as immeasurable as an ocean,

for this reason we should reverently worship him.”

At that time, the Bodhisattva Guardian of the Earth rose from his seat and said to the Buddha, “Bhagavān! If there are beings who hear about the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, and learn about his inconceivable deeds and awesome spiritual powers as described in this Universal Door, you should know that the merit and virtue of these beings will not be small.”

While the Buddha spoke this Universal Door, limitless beings in the assembly brought forth the resolve for anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi.

anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi = Unsurpassed – Proper and Equal – Right Awakening (the Buddha’s enlightenment)