The
Prose & Verse of The Lotus Sutra
Chapter
25
The Universal Door of the Bodhisattva
Observing the Sounds of the World
The
25th Chapter of the Lotus Sutra is perhaps the most popular chapter in the
Sutra, and is frequently regarded as a Sutra unto itself. The cult of Kuan-Shi-Yin
spread very rapidly in China after the appearance of Kumarajiva’s translation
of The Lotus Sutra, and it is still strong today.
The Title of this Chapter of the Sutra is the ‘Universal Door of the
Bodhisattva Observing the Sounds of the World’ (C. Kwan-Shi-Yin Pu Wen, J.
Kanzeon Fumon). The original Sanskrit title is Avalokitesvara Samantamukha.
- Actually the Sanskrit ‘Avalokitesvara’ is more literally translated as ‘The
Master of Observation’ (C. Kuan-Tzu-Tsai, J. Kanjizai), since Isvara (C.
Tzu-Tsai, J. Jizai) means ‘Lord’ or ‘Master’ and Avalokita means ‘Observing the
World’. This Bodhisattva is in fact frequently referred to by this name.
Kumarajiva translated the name as ‘Observing the Sounds of the World’ by
considering another of this Bodhisattva’s titles ‘Vagesvara’, meaning ‘The
Master of Voices’. This mastery of observing the cries of help from the world
is the eternal Buddha’s embodiment of compassion.
- Samantamukha literally means ‘Universal Face’ or ‘Universal Countenance’, by which is meant that the Bodhisattva
can manifest in limitless forms and incarnations to reach out to those in need.
This Bodhisattva can appear in any form to reach out to living beings in any
spiritual condition, and is frequently depicted in multiple forms, as a man, a
woman, as gods, as demons, as animals, in six forms, thirty three forms, with a
thousand arms, a thousand eyes, etc – essentially as a reflection of those who
seek deliverance. Kumarajiva translated this as ‘Universal Door’ (C. Pu-Wen, J.
Fumon), meaning that the door is open to all living beings regardless of their
spiritual condition, and that all can benefit and enter into enlightenment and
deliverance from the sufferings of Life & Death in a form in which they can
connect with.
The Chapter is basically divided into two questions and answers, which
essentially address these two points:
- The meaning of the Bodhisattva’s name ‘Observing the Sounds of the World’,
which is the embodiment of the Buddha’s compassion.
- How the Bodhisattva does the work of the eternal Buddha, which is an
explanation of the ‘Universal Door’ or ‘Universal Face’ that manifests itself
in limitless incarnations to reach living beings.
It would be erroneous to view Kuan-Shi-Yin as merely being a Bodhisattva.
Rather it is the spiritual penetration and reach of the eternal Buddha in this
world, the same eternal Buddha that is revealed in the 16th Chapter
of the Sutra. Whereas the historical Sakyamuni was said to have attained
enlightenment in this world (through His own efforts), revealed Himself as the
eternal Buddha and then entered into Nirvana, Avalokitesvara is the eternal
Buddha reentering into the world over and over from Nirvana, penetrating and
reaching those that seek the Buddha’s help – That is, doing the work of the eternal
Buddha.
The Lotus
Sutra:
Outlines:
Chih-I's
Commentary
Nichiren's
Commentary
Copyright
© Peter Johnson 2001 - All rights reserved
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Since
July 9, 2001
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