Translator in the time of post-Qin, China
(AD.344-413): Kumārajīva (Who translated the said Chapter from Sanskrit into
Chinese.)
Translator in the modern time (A.D.2018):
Tao Qing Hsu (Who translated the said Chapter from Chinese into English.)
At that time, Bodhisattva Endless-Meaning
stood up from the seat, uncovered the right shoulder, closed the palms of the
hand, faced the Buddha and said that “World Honored One! By which cause and
condition is Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving called
World-Sounds-Perceiving? ” The Buddha told the Bodhisattva Endless-Meaning:
"Good man! If there were infinite thousands-millions sentient beings afflicted
by all kinds of troubles, they heard Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving
and called its name single mindedly, Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving
would immediately perceive their sounds and liberate all of them from the
suffering. If there were people who recited the name of Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving,
and to suppose that these people entered into a huge fire, the fire could not burn
them. That is all because the Bodhisattva’s awesome spiritual
power. If they were drifted away by the huge water, and they called its
name, they would be in a shallow place.
If the hundred-trillions sentient beings
entered into the sea in order to seek for gold, silver, glass, agate, coral,
amber, pearl, and other treasures, and to suppose their ship was blown by the black
wind and was floating in the ghost’s kingdom of Rakshasa, any one of them and
even only one person who recited the name of Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving,
those people would be all released from the affliction in the Rakshasa.
Because of the aforesaid causes and conditions, it was named as World-Sounds-Perceiving."
"Furthermore, if people might be
killed and they recited the name
of Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving, the held knife would be badly
broken into pieces, and then they would be liberated. If the three-thousand and
large-thousand countries were full of Yaksha and Rakshasa, which wanted to
annoy people and heard the name of Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving recited by those people,
the wicked ghosts could not stare at them with their evil eyes, let alone to harm them. To suppose there was a person, who was bound by handcuffs and
shackles, as if in guilty or in innocence, recited and called out the name
of Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving, those fetters would be broken
and he would be liberated. If there were full of hatred thieves
in the three-thousand and large-thousand countries, one merchant chief
held heavy treasures from all merchants and went through dangerous roads. One
of them said loudly: "All good men! Don't be terrified, you should call
out the name of Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving single mindedly.
The Bodhisattva can give all sentient beings the fearlessness by fearlessness.
If you recited and called out its name, you shall surely relieve from such
hatred thieves. When all businessmen heard that, all cried out, “Na
Mo Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving!” Then, they were immediately
liberated because of reciting and calling its name out. “
"Endless-Meaning! The power of awesome
spirituality of the Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving is as majestic and
lofty as the said. If sentient beings had much more sexual desire, and then
often recited and saluted the Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving,
they would thus depart from the lust. If they had much more hatred, and then
often recited and saluted the Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving,
they would thus leave away the hatred. If they had much more stupidity and
infatuation, and then often recited and saluted the Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving,
they would thus leave away the infatuation. Endless-Meaning! Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving
had the power of great majestic spirituality such as these, and had much more
mercy on all sentient beings so as to confer them benefit. Therefore,
sentient beings should often recite its name in mind.
If there were a woman who wanted a boy,
politely worshiped Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving and offered
something to it, she would have a boy who owned bliss and virtue; if she intended to have a girl, she would thus have a
dignified-pretty girl who owned the virtue roots planted in the past life and
was loved and respected by all people. Endless-Meaning! Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving
has such power as these. If there were sentient beings to salute and
politely worship Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving, their planted-accumulated bliss
would not be in vain. Therefore, all sentient beings should accept and recite the name of Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving."
"Endless-Meaning! If there was someone
who accepted and recited 62 billion Ganges sands’ name of Bodhisattva, and
exhaustively offered them the food, clothing, bedding, and medicine, what do
you think? Do the good man or the good woman has such much more merit and
virtue or not?"
Endless-Meaning said: "A lot! World
honored one!" The Buddha said: "If there was a person who accepted and recited the name of Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving, even
politely worship and offering at one time, the bliss of the two people was
exactly equal and no difference, and would be endless at one hundred billion
myriads of eons. Endless-Meaning! To accept and recite the name
of Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving will have such benefit of
immeasurable-boundless bliss and virtue."
Bodhisattva Endless-Meaning told the
Buddha: "World honored one! How does Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving
tour in this Saha World? How does it speak of the Buddha-law for all sentient
beings? What happened when it uses the power of convenience?" The
Buddha told Bodhisattva Endless-Meaning : "Good man! If there
were sentient beings in a country should be saved by the form and body of
Buddha, Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving would appear the form and
body of Buddha and speak of the law of Buddha for them. If they should be
rescued by the form and body of Pratyeka-Buddha,
the Bodhisattva would appear the said form and body, and speak of the
Buddha-law for them. If they should be rescued by the form and body of Sravaka,
the Bodhisattva would appear the said form and body, and speak of the Buddha-law for
them. If they should be rescued by the form and body of Brahma King, the Bodhisattva would appear the said form and body, and speak the Buddha-law for them. If they
should be rescued by the form and body of Sakra, the Bodhisattva would appear the said
form and body, and speak of the Buddha-law for them. If they should be rescued
by the form and body of Mahesvara, the Bodhisattva would appear the said form and
body, and speak of the Buddha-law for them. If they should be rescued by the
form and body of the great general of heaven, the Bodhisattva would appear the said
form and body, and speak of the Buddha-law for them. If they should be rescued
by the form and body of Vaisravana, the Bodhisattva would appear the said form and
body, and speak of the Buddha-law for them. If they should be rescued by the
form and body of little king, the Bodhisattva would appear the said
form and body, and speak of the Buddha-law for them. If they should be rescued
by the form and body of the elderly, the Bodhisattva would appear the
said form and body, and speak of the Buddha-law for them. If they should be
rescued by the form and body of Buddhist Layman, the Bodhisattva would
appear the said form and body, and speak of the Buddha-law for them. If they
should be rescued by the form and body of Prime Minister,
the Bodhisattva would appear the said form and body, and speak of the
Buddha-law for them. If they should be rescued by the form and body of Brahman,
the Bodhisattva would appear the said form and body, and speak of the
Buddha-law for them. If they should be rescued by the form and body of Buddhist
monk, Buddhist nun, Upasaka and Upasika, the Bodhisattva would appear the said form and
body, and speak of the Buddha-law for them. If they should be rescued by the
form and body of woman which are the elderly or Buddhist Layman or Prime Minister
or Brahman, the Bodhisattva would instantly transform and appear the
said form and body of woman, and speak of the Buddha-law for them. If they
should be rescued by the form and body of little boy or little girl,
the Bodhisattva would transform and appear the said form and body,
and speak of the Buddha-law for them. If they should be rescued by the form and
body of heaven or dragon or Yaksha or Gandharva or Asura or Garuda or Rahula or
Kinnara or human resembling but not like human, the Bodhisattva would
transform and appear the said form and body, and speak of the Buddha-law for
them. If they should be rescued by the form and body of Vajradhara, the Bodhisattva would
transform and present the said form and body, and speak of the Buddha-law for
them.
"Endless-Meaning!
The Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving accomplishes such merit and
virtue, by various forms tours all countries and rescues the sentient beings.
Therefore, you should thus offer something
to Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving single mindedly.
The Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving can give all sentient beings
the fearlessness in the fear, crisis and difficulty. It is thus in this Saha
world, all call it as the fearlessness-giver (It means that it gives all
sentient beings the fearlessness.)."
Bodhisattva Endless-Meaning told the
Buddha and said:”World Honored One! I should offer something
to Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving now.” Then, from his neck, he
untied all necklaces of jades and pearls and gold of worth more than thousand
ounces, gave them to the Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving, and
said:”The Benevolent! Please accept such giving of Buddha-law, the treasures,
and necklaces of jades and pearls. At that
time, Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving did not accept it.
Endless-Meaning told Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving again and
said:”The Benevolent! To pity us, please accept these necklaces of jade and
pearls.”
At the time, the Buddha
told Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving: “ You should accept the
necklaces of jades and pearls to pity Bodhisattva Endless-Meaning,
the four congregations, and heaven or dragon or Yaksha or Gandharva or Asura or
Garuda or Rahula or Kinnara or human resembling but not like human.” In a
timely manner, the Pusa World-Sounds-Perceiving accepted the necklaces of jades
and pearls to pity all four congregations, the heaven, dragon, human resembling
but not like human, and so on. It divided them into two parts. One part was
provided to the Buddha Sakyamuni. The other part was provided to
many-treasures-Buddha Stupa. “Endless-Meaning!
The Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving owns the free-spirituality
power as these, to tour the Saha World.”
At the time,
the Bodhisattva Endless-Meaning used verses to ask and say:
World Honored One has the miraculous
appearance.
I now ask him again.
The Buddhist disciple is by which cause and
condition,
To be named as World-Sounds-Perceiving.
The Lord Buddha completely has the
miraculous appearance,
To reply Endless-Meaning by verse.
You listen to the behavior of
World-Sounds-Perceiving.
It skillfully responds to all places
well.
Its vast vows are deep like the sea,
Even throughout the times of eons, it is
inconceivable.
It serves more than one hundred billion
Buddha,
And makes the great and pure vows from the
heart.
I tell you in a brief.
When you hear its name and see its form or
body,
It shouldn't be missed in your heart and
thought,
It can extinguish all the suffering.
If a thought was arisen to harm you
And would push you into a pit of big fire,
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
The pit of fire would turn into a pool.
Or, you drifted into a vast sea,
And you met the difficulties from dragons,
fishes and all ghosts,
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
The wave could not drown you.
Or, you were in the Sumeru,
And were pushed by others and falling,
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
You would dwell on the sky like the sun.
Or, you were chased by the evil people,
And were falling into the Vajra Mountain,
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
A single hair of you could not be
damaged.
Or, you were surrounded by the hatred
thieves,
You might be hurt by each holding knife,
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
All of them would have the heart of
compassion immediately.
Or, you were encountering the suffering
from the disaster of a King,
And you were facing the penalty and your
life would be ended,
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
Each knife would be badly broken into
pieces.
Or, you were imprisoned with shackles,
Your hands and feet were cuffed,
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
All are relieved and you would be
liberated.
Or, there were the curse and all poisonous
herbs,
Which wanted to harm your body.
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
All back to the self-evil person.
Or, you were facing the evil Raksha,
Poisonous dragon, all ghosts and so on,
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
They would not dare to harm you.
Or, you were surrounded by evil beasts,
And you were scared by their sharp teeth
and claws,
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
All beasts quickly run far away.
Or, there were the viper and poisonous
insect,
The toxic gas and burned smoke.
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
They would follow their sounds and go back
by self.
Or, there were cloud and thunder drumming
to pull the lightning,
Falling hail and timely raining heavily,
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
All would dissipate in time.
Sentient beings are trapped by distresses.
Unlimited hardships oppress their bodies.
World-Sounds-Perceiving has the
wondrous-wisdom power,
Which can rescue them from the worldly
suffering.
It is full of the power of spiritual
connecting,
And broadly practices the convenience of
wisdom.
All countries of ten directions,
Without world which it could not appear.
The various evil-goings
Which are hell, ghosts and animals,
As well as the suffering of birth, aging,
sickness and death,
All are eliminated gradually.
It is full of the true and clean
perceiving,
The wide-wisdom perceiving,
The sympathetic and benevolent perceiving,
All sentient beings are frequently willing
to look at it with reverence constantly.
Undefiled and clean light,
The wisdom sun breaks through all
darkness,
Can subdue calamities of wind or fire,
And universally shine the world .
The precept by the compassionate body is
like thunderstorms.
The benevolent mind is as miraculous as
large clouds.
The honeydew of Buddha-law raining down in
time is like rain.
Those extinguishes the flame of affliction.
You contested a lawsuit through the court.
You were terrified in the battlefield.
To think of those sounds-perceiving power,
All the hatred would retreat.
Wondrous sounds is World-Sounds-Perceiving,
As like the Sanskrit sounds and sea-tide
sounds,
Which is beyond all worldly sounds,
We thus should recite it constantly.
Recite it in each thought without doubt,
World-Sounds-Perceiving is the pure saint.
In the difficulties of suffering, trouble
and death,
It can be depended and protect us.
It has the all merit and virtue,
It looks at the sentient beings with
benevolent eyes,
Its bliss is accumulated as if
immeasurable sea,
Thus, we should salute it.
At the time,
the Bodhisattva Land-Holding stood up from the seat and forward
told Buddha: ”World Honored One! If any sentient beings heard the free
behavior of Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving Chapter, and the
wondrous-spirituality power manifested by the universal door, we shall know
that this person has not less merit and virtue.” When the Buddha said the
universal door chapter, the eight-four thousand sentient beings in the
congregation vowed to have the supreme-equality-awaken-wisdom
heart.
Instruction and Explanation:
1. Bodhisattva World-Sound-Perceiving
is shortly and generally called Guanyin in Chinese culture.
2. Guanyin is Guanshiyin,
which is Chinese pronunciation. Guanshiyin means to
perceive the world's sounds and is translated into World-Sound-Perceiving by
Tao Qing Hsu in this blog.
3. World-Sound-Perceiving means to perceive
the world's sounds. It is also means that Bodhisattva World-Sound-Perceiving to perceive the worldly suffering sounds and to rescue them from suffering.
4. In Sanskrit, Guanyin
is Avalokitasvara. There are 32 incarnations of Guanyin. 32 is a rough number. This
means that Guanyin can be transformed into various forms and bodies and not only 32 incarnations. Therefore, don't be bound by the image of Guanyin in Chinese culture or in Tibetan culture.
5. Bodhisattva is Sanskrit pronunciation.
Bodhisattva is also to be translated and transliterated into Busa or Pusa in
Chinese. Pusa and Busa is also used in this blog.
6. Buddha-law means Dharma.
7. Bodhisattva Endless-Meaning is a person who has realized and proved that the all meaning is endless in the nature of emptiness. That is why it is named as Endless-Meaning and become Bodhisattva.
8. Bodhisattva Land-Holding is a person who diligently paves the pothole land to be flat in the beginning and has thus realized and proved that the equality originally exists in everyone's mind of emptiness. That is why it is named as Land-Holding and become Bodhisattva.
9. Upasaka is Sanskrit. Upasaka means man who is not Buddhist monk but studies and listesn to the Buddha's teaching. In other word, Upasaka can work and have a marriage in the worldly life. Upasaka can achieve the Buddhahood and become Buddha after practicing the Buddha-law and being enlightened. The image of Guanyin in Tibetan culture and in the earlier Chinese culture is Upasaka. In this Chapter, Bodhisattva Endless-Meaning and Bodhisattva Land-Holding is the image of Upasaka.
10 Upasika is Sanskrit. Upasika means woman who is not Buddhist nun but studies and listens to the Buddha's teaching. In other word, Upasika can work and have a marriage in the worldly life. Upasika can achieve the Buddhahood and become Buddha after practicing the Buddha-law and being enlightened. The image of Guanyin in current Chinese culture is Upasika.
11. Buddhist Layman is the general Buddhist disciple who studies and listens to the Buddha's teaching without departing from the family.
12. Brahman, heaven or dragon or Yaksha or Gandharva or
Asura or Garuda or Rahula or Kinnara or human resembling but not like human are one of the images in Indian culture.
13. Pratyeka-Buddha and Sravaka is Sanskrit. They have some foundations for their
enlightenment in the Dharma, but they have not yet reached the Buddha's
fruition.
14. Brahma King, Sakra, Mahesvara, the great
general of heaven and Vaisravana is the beings in heaven in Buddhism. They have some special power in spirituality that is beyond the ability of humans. Meanwhile, they are good beings in heaven as well as in humans. Brahma, Sakra, Mahesvara and Vaisravana is Sanskrit.
15. Sumeru is Sanskrit. Sumeru is a high mountain and located in the middle of the world in legend.
16. This Chapter is updated by Tao Qing Hsu
on May 2, 2021.
17. This Chapter with Chinese and English can be found in this blog. Bodhisattva World-Sounds-Perceiving in Universal Door Chapter (In Chinese and English)
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