The Lotus Sutra

Chapter 25
The Universal Door of the Bodhisattva
Observing the Sounds of the World

At this time the Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Will arose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, pressed his palms together, faced the Buddha and made these words:
“World Honored One. Why is the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World said to be ‘Observing the Sounds of the World’?

The Buddha addressed the Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Will:
"Good son; when any of the limitless hundreds, thousands and millions of living beings that feel suffering and distress hear of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World and call on his name with a single mind, the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World will observe the sounds of their voices and set them free.”

• “If they embrace the name of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World upon entering into a great fire, the fire will not be able to burn them because of the Bodhisattva's awesome spiritual power.”
• “If they are tossed about in a great ocean and call on the Bodhisattva’s name, they will find a shallow place.”
• “Suppose that hundreds, thousands and millions of living beings enter into the great ocean seeking gold, silver, lapis lazuli, agate, carnelian, coral, amber, pearls and other treasures, and a black wind blows their ships into the lands of the raksasa demons. If among all these living beings there is one that calls on the name of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World, they will all become free from the raksasas. For this reason this Bodhisattva is called Observing the Sounds of the World.”
• “And if there are people that are being attacked or harmed who call on the name of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World, the knives and clubs of their assailants will be broken into pieces and they will be set free.”
• “Suppose that people are tormented by enough yaksas and raksasas to fill up three thousand million-fold realms. Upon hearing these people call on the name of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World, these evil demons will not even be able to stare at them with their evil eyes, much less do them any further harm.”
• “And if there are people that are bound to handcuffs, leg irons, stocks or chains, whether they are guilty of a crime or not, upon calling on the name of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World, all their fetters will break apart and they will be set free.”
• Suppose that there were enough bandits to fill three thousand million-fold lands, all lying in wait along a dangerous road, and a head merchant led a caravan of merchants along this road who were in possession of prized treasure, and suppose that this merchant said:
  ‘Good sons, you need not fear. You should call on the name of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sound of the World with a single mind. This Bodhisattva is able to bestow fearlessness upon living beings. If you call on the name of this Bodhisattva, you will be set free from these bandits.’
  Upon hearing this, suppose that these merchants called out:
  ‘We turn our lives over to the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World’
  Upon calling on the name of this Bodhisattva, they would be set free from these bandits.”

“Inexhaustible Will - The awesome spiritual powers of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World are as magnificent as this.”

• “If there are living beings that have many immoral sensual desires, upon constantly keeping the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World in their minds with reverence, they will become free of these sensual desires.
• If they have much anger and hatred, upon constantly keeping the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World in their minds with reverence, they will become free of this anger.
• If they have much delusion and stupidity, upon constantly keeping the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World in their minds with reverence, they will become free of this delusion.”

“Inexhaustible Will - The Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World  has awesome spiritual powers such as these and bestows abundant benefits upon living beings. Because of this, living beings should always remember this Bodhisattva in their thoughts.”

• “If women that seek sons bow, offer service and worship the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World, they will bear sons that have wisdom and insight as well as the blessings of virtue.
• If women that seek daughters bow, offer service and worship the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World, they will bear daughters that are upright and honest, beautiful and, having planted roots of virtue from previous lives, loved and revered by all."

“Inexhaustible Will - The Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World has spiritual powers such as these. If there are living beings that reverently bow in worship to the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World, their blessings will not be fleeting or in vain.”

“Because of this, living beings everywhere should accept and embrace the name and title of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World.”

“Inexhaustible Will - Suppose that a person accepted and embraced the names of as many Bodhisattvas as there are sands along sixty two billion River Ganges, and that this person made offerings of food, drink, clothes, furnishings and medicines to all of them for all of his or her life. What do you think? The merits & virtues of this good son or daughter would be many, would they not?
The Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Will said:
“Very many, World Honored One.”
The Buddha said:
If there is also a person who accepts and embraces the name and title of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World, bowing in worship and offering service just once, the blessings of these two will truly be equal and without any difference, and these blessings of spiritual merit will not be used up for a hundred, thousand, million or billion lifetimes.”

“Inexhaustible Will - anyone who accepts and embraces the name and title of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World will attain the benefit of spiritual merits and virtues that are as limitless and boundless as this.”

The Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Will spoke to the Buddha saying:
"World Honored One:
*   How does the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World travel in the Saha World?
*   How does this Bodhisattva teach the Dharma to living beings?
*   What are the ways and means that this Bodhisattva uses?"

The Buddha addressed the Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Will:
Good son:

If there is a nation of living beings that needs a response from a Buddha's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a Buddha to teach the Dharma
If they need a response from a Pratyekabuddha's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a Pratyekabuddha to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from a Sravaka's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a Sravaka to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from King Brahma's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of King Brahma to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from Sakra Devendra's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of Sakra Devendra to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from Isvara's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of Isvara to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from Mahesvara's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of Mahesvara to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from a Great General's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a Great General to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from Vaisravana's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of Vaisravana to teach the Dharma
If they need a response from a Small King's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a Small King to teach the Dharma
If they need a response from an elder's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of an Elder to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from a scholar's in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a Scholar to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from a civic leader's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a Civic Leader to teach the Dharma
If they need a response from a Brahman's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a Brahman to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from the life of a monk, a nun, a layman or a laywoman in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a Monk, a Nun, a Layman or a Laywoman to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from the life of a Wife of an Elder, a Wife of a Scholar, a Wife of a Civic Leader or a Wife of a Brahman in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a wife to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from a boy of a girl's life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a Boy or a Girl to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from the life of a God, a Dragon, a Yaksa, a Gandharva, an Asura, a Garuda, a Kinnara, or a Mahoraga, be they human or not human, in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of one of these to teach the Dharma.
If they need a response from a vajra-wielding spirit life in order to attain deliverance, then the Bodhisattva will manifest the life of a Vajra-Wielding Spirit to teach the Dharma."

"Inexhaustible Will - The Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World has attained merits and virtues such as these, and has appeared in different forms and traveled to different lands to deliver living beings and set them free."

"Therefore you should offer service to the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World with a single mind.

This Bodhisattva Mahasattva Observing the Sounds of the World is able to bestow fearlessness to those suffering the hardship of anxiety and dread. For this reason this Bodhisattva is known everywhere in the Saha World as 'The Bestower of Fearlessness'."

"The Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Will spoke to the Buddha saying:
"World Honored One - I will now offer service to the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World."

He took off off his necklace of pearls, worth a hundred thousand taels of gold and , offering it to the Bodhisattva, made these words:
"Benevolent one, accept this necklace of rare and precious pearls as an offering to the Dharma."

When the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World declined to accept it, Inexhaustible Will offered it again, saying:
"Benevolent one, have pity on us and accept this necklace"

At this time the Buddha spoke to the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World, saying:
"Accept this necklace - Have pity on this Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Will, the four groups of believers as well as all the gods, dragons, yaksas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras and mahoragas, whether they are human or not."

This time the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World had pity on the four groups of believers as well as the gods, dragons and the rest that are both human and not human, and accepted the necklace. Dividing the necklace into two parts, the Bodhisattva offered one part to the Buddha Sakyamuni and one part to the tower of the Buddha Abundant Treasures.

Inexhaustable Will - the mastery and spiritual powers of the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World are like this in travelling throughout the Saha World.

At this time the Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Will asked in verse, saying:

"World Honored One, possessing the wonderful signs,
I now ask again.
Why is this child of the Buddha
Said to be 'Observing the Sounds of the World"

The Honored One, with the perfect and wonderful signs,
Answered Inexhaustible Will in verse:
"Listen to the practice of Observing the Sound
Skillfully responding to all in every direction

With a broad pledge that is deep like the ocean
Lasting for inconceivable lifetimes
Serving millions of Buddhas
Inspiring the great vow that is pure

I shall now briefly teach you of this:
Those that hear his name and see his life
Unceasingly keeping him in mind
Are able to extinguish the sufferings of existence

If others have malicious intent
Pushing one into a great pit of fire
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
The pit of fire will be transformed into a pool

Some are tossed about in the currents of a great ocean
Full of dangerous dragons, fish and demons
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
The waves will be unable to sink them.

Some are on the peak of Mount Sumeru
With others try to push them off
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
They will remain steady like the sun up in empty space

Some are chased by evil people
Falling down from the Vajra Mountains
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
Not a single hair on them can be harmed

Some are surrounded by vicious bandits
Each holding knives and threatening to harm them
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
They will all arouse a mind of kindness and mercy

Some suffer trouble with the law
On the verge of execution
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
The executioner's sword will be broken into pieces

Some are in prison, shackled in chains
Their arms and legs in stocks and irons
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
Their fetters will be loosened and they will all be set free

Some face curses and poisonous hexes
From those that wish them harm
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
The harm will be return to its senders

Some encounter evil raksasas
Poisonous dragons and demons
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
They will not dare to harm one

Some are surrounded by vicious beasts
With teeth and claws that are sharp and fearsome
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
These beasts will quickly flee in all directions

Some face venomous snakes and scorpions
Breathing poisonous fire and smoke
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
At the sound of the voice they will all disappear

Thunder clouds pound and lightning strikes
A great flood of rain and hail comes down
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
The weather will ease up and disperse

Living beings are beset with hardships
Oppressed by limitless suffering
With the wonderful power of wisdom from Observing the Sound
They can be saved from the sufferings of this world

Perfectly possessing the power of spiritual penetration
Broadly cultivating wisdom and the ways & means
There is nowhere in the ten directions
One can not present one's life.

There are various kinds of spiritual destinies
There is hell, hunger and brutality
There are the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death
All of them are gradually extinguished

True Observer, Pure Observer
Observer with Wisdom that is Broad & Great
Observer with Compassion, Observer with Mercy
We vow to ever behold you with reverence

Untainted pure light
Sun of insight that destroys all darkness
Able to subdue the calamities of wind and fire
Everywhere illuminate all the worlds

Embodiment of compassion; thunder of morality
Will of kindness; Great cloud of wonder
Rain down the sweet dew of the Dharma rain
Extinguish the flames of emotional distress

If there are arguments before the courts
If there is fear on the fields of battle
Upon evoking the power of Observing the Sound
The hosts of enemies will retreat and disperse

Wonderful Sound; Observing the Sounds of the World
Sound of Brahma; Sound of the Ocean Tide
Sound unsurpassed in all the world
Ever to be kept in one's mind

In thought after thought one mustn't bear doubt
Observing the Sounds of the World is pure and noble
Through suffering, distress, danger and death
One can always rely and take refuge

Possessing all the merits and virtues
With an eye of kindness for all living beings
An infinite ocean of blessings amasses
And so we should worship with reverence."

At this time the Bodhisattva Guardian of the Earth arose from his seat and spoke to the Buddha, saying:
"World Honored One - If there are living beings that hear this chapter on the Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World and master its practice, its manifestation of the universal door and its power of spiritual penetration, one must know that the merits and virtues of these people will not be few."

When the Buddha finished teaching this Chapter on the Universal Door, there were eighty-four thousand living beings among the multitude that inspired the unequalled Supreme Universal Enlightenment.."

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