"The Universal Door Of The Bodhisattva Who Listens To
The Sounds Of All The World"
觀世音菩薩普門品
Translated from the Sanskrit into Chinese byTripitaka Dharma Master Kumarajiva of the Yao Chin Dynasty.
姚秦三藏法師鳩摩羅什譯
Translated from Chinese into English by the Buddhist Text
Translation Society,Dharma Realm Buddhist University.
Namo Fundamental Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha
南無本師釋迦牟尼佛
Verse for Opening a Sutra
開經偈
"The unsurpassed, deep, profound, subtle, wonderful Dharma,
In a hundred thousand million eons, is difficult to encounter;
Now that I』ve come to receive and hold it, within my sight and hearing,
I vow to fathom the Thus Come One’s true and actual meaning.
無上甚深微妙法，百千萬劫難遭遇。我今見聞得受持，願解如來真實義。
At that time, Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, joined his palms, and facing the Buddha, said, "O World Honored One, how did Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva get the name Gwan Shr Yin?"
爾時無盡意菩薩，即從座起。偏袒右肩。合掌向佛。而作是言。世尊。觀世音菩薩。以何因緣名觀世音。
The Buddha answered Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve,
"Good Man, if all the countless hundreds of thousands of millions of living beings tormented by misery and pain hear of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, and with all their hearts invoke his name, Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva will immediately respond to their prayers and set them free.
佛告無盡意菩薩。善男子。若有無量百千萬億眾生。受諸苦惱。聞是觀世音菩薩。一心稱名。觀世音菩薩。即時觀其音聲。皆得解脫。
If those who hold the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva should fall into a great fire, the fire will not burn them, because of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva’s awesome spiritual power. If they are being tossed about in deep and treacherous waters and call his name, they will quickly reach the shallows.
若有持是觀世音菩薩名者。設入大火。火不能燒。由是菩薩威神力故。若為大水所漂。稱其名號。即得淺處。
Hundreds of thousand of myriads of millions of men in search of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, moonstones, and carnelian, coral, amber, pearls, and other precious treasures, may run afoul of violent squalls that blow their ships to the lands of Rakshashas.
若有百千萬億眾生。為求金、銀、琉璃、硨磲、瑪瑙、珊瑚、琥珀、真珠等寶。入於大海。假使黑風吹其船舫。漂墮羅剎鬼國。
But if one man among them calls the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, then the entire group will all be saved from the throes of the Rakshashas. For this reason he is called "The Enlightened One Who Listens to the Sounds of All the World."
其中若有乃至一人。稱觀世音菩薩名者。是諸人等。皆得解脫羅剎之難。以是因緣。名觀世音。
If someone facing deadly harm recites Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva’s name, the weapons of the assailants will break apart and he will get away.
若復有人。臨當被害。稱觀世音菩薩名者。彼所執刀杖。尋段段壞。而得解脫。
Even if the entire three-fold, great, thousand-world system were teeming with Yakshas and Rakshashas bent on vexing men, when the evil demons hear the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva called out by these men, they will not be able to see them with their wicked eyes, much less do them in!
若三千大千國土。滿中夜叉羅剎。欲來惱人。聞其稱觀世音菩薩名者。是諸惡鬼。尚不能以惡眼視之。況復加害。
If there is a person, whether innocent or guilty, who is locked in stocks or shackled by ropes and chains, his fetters will snap and fall away, letting him go free as soon as he invokes Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva’s name.
設復有人。若有罪。若無罪。杻械枷鎖。檢系其身。稱觀世音菩薩名者。皆悉斷壞。即得解脫。
Suppose vicious thieves in legions that could fill a three-fold, great, thousand-world system infest a perilous road along which a merchant chief guides a traders』 caravan laden with precious jewels.If one man among them proclaims: "Good Men, do not be afraid! With all your hearts invoke the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, the Enlightened One Who Gives Courage to All Beings! If we beseech this Bodhisattva, we will surely escape these thieves".
若三千大千國土。滿中怨賊。有一商主。將諸商人。齎持重寶。經過險路。其中一人作是唱言。諸善男子。勿得恐怖。汝等應當一心稱觀世音菩薩名號。是菩薩能以無畏。施於眾生。汝等若稱名者。於此怨賊。當得解脫。
Upon hearing this exhortation, if all the traders in unison cry out, 』Namo Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva!』 By virtue of calling out Gwan Shr Yin’s name, they will immediately go free.
眾商人聞俱發聲言。南無觀世音菩薩。稱其名故。即得解脫。
Infinite Resolve! How imposing is the awesome spiritual power of the Great Bodhisattva Who Listens to the Sounds of All the World!
無盡意。觀世音菩薩摩訶薩。威神之力。巍巍如是。
If any living being with weighty desires can constantly revere and keep in mind Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, his passions will subside.
若有眾生。多於淫慾。常念恭敬觀世音菩薩。便得離欲。
If someone with much anger can constantly revere and keep in mind Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, then his anger will subside.
若多鎮恚。常念恭敬觀世音菩薩。便得離鎮。若多愚痴。
If someone dull and foolish can constantly revere and keep in mind Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, he will leave stupidity behind.
若多愚痴。常念恭敬觀世音菩薩。便得離痴。無盡意。觀世音菩薩。
Infinite Resolve! The Bodhisattva Who Listens to the Sounds of All the World, with his magnificent spiritual power, confers such abundant benefits as these. And so, living beings should always keep him in their hearts and hold his name in mind.
無盡意。觀世音菩薩。有如是等大威神力。多所饒益。是故眾生。常應心念。
If women seeking sons bow to and make offerings to the Bodhisattva Gwan Shr Yin, they will give birth to sons happy, virtuous, and wise. If instead, they wish for daughters, they will bear gifted daughters with deep-rooted, wholesome characters, beloved and respected by all.
若有女人。設欲求男。禮拜供養觀世音菩薩。便生福德智慧之男。設欲求女。便生端正有相之女。宿植德本。眾人愛敬。
Infinite Resolve! Such is the power of the Bodhisattva Who Listens to the Sounds of All the World. Any living being who worships and makes offerings to Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva will never take a loss
無盡意。觀世音菩薩有如是力。若有眾生恭敬禮拜觀世音菩薩。福不唐捐。
Therefore, every single living being should hold Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva’s name in mind. Infinite Resolve! Suppose someone held the names of Bodhisattvas to the number of grains of sand in sixty-two million Ganges Rivers, and for this person’s entire life, made offerings to them all of food and drink, clothes, bedding, and medicine. What is your opinion? Would the merit and virtue accrued by that good man or woman be abundant?"
是故眾生。皆應受持觀世音菩薩名號。無盡意。若有人受持六十二億恆河沙菩薩名字。復盡形供養飲食、衣服、臥具、醫藥。於汝意云何。是善男子善女人。功德多不。
Infinite Resolve replied, "Extremely abundant, World Honored One, very great indeed!"
無盡意言。甚多，世尊。
The Buddha said, "Yet if someone else held the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, bowed and made an offering but one time, the blessings of these two people would be identical, the same in every way, and would endure for quadrillions of aeons.
佛言。若復有人。受持觀世音菩薩名號。乃至一時禮拜供養。是二人福。正等無異。於百千萬億劫。不可窮盡。
Infinite Resolve! Holding the name of Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva brings blessings and benefits as limitless and boundless as these."
無盡意。受持觀世音菩薩名號。得如是無量無邊福德之利。
Again, the Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve asked the Buddha, "World Honored One, how does Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva wander in this Saha World? How does he speak Dharma for living beings, and what manner of resourcefulness does he command?"
無盡意菩薩白佛言。世尊。觀世音菩薩。云何遊此娑婆世界。云何而為眾生說法。方便之力。其事云何。
The Buddha answered Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve, "If there is a living being in some country who can be liberated by a Buddha, Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva appears as a Buddha and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by a Pratyeka Buddha, he appears as a Pratyeka Buddha and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by a Sound-hearer, he appears as a Sound-hearer and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by a Brahma-heaven King, he appears as a Brahma-heaven King and teaches him the Dharma.
佛告無盡意菩薩。善男子。若有國土眾生。應以佛身得度者。觀世音菩薩。即現佛身而為說法。應以闢支佛身得度者。即現闢支佛身而為說法。應以聲聞身得度者。即現聲聞身而為說法。應以梵王身得度者。即現梵王身而為說法。
If someone can be liberated by Shakra, he appears as Shakra and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by the God of Comfort, he appears as the God of Comfort and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by the God of Great Comfort, he appears as the God of Great Comfort and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by a mighty General of the Gods, he appears as a mighty General of the Gods and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by the God Vaisravana, he appears as Vaisravana and teaches him the Dharma.
應以帝釋身得度者。即現帝釋身而為說法。應以自在天身得度者。即現自在天身而為說法。應以大自在天身得度者。即現大自在天身而為說法。應以天大將軍身得度者。即現天大將軍身而為說法。應以毗沙門身得度者。即現毗沙門身而為說法。
If someone can be liberated by a minor king, he appears as a minor king and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by an elder, he appears as an elder and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by a lay-person, he appears as a lay-person and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by a minister of state, he appears as a minister of state and teaches him the Dharma.
應以小王身得度者。即現小王身而為說法。應以長者身得度者。即現長者身而為說法。應以居士身得度者。即現居士身而為說法。應以宰相身得度者。即現宰相身而為說法。
If someone can be liberated by a Brahman, he appears as a Brahman and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by a monk or nun, a layman or a laywoman, he appears as a monk or nun, a layman or laywoman and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by the wife of an elder, layman, minister of state, or Brahman, he appears as a wife and teaches him the Dharma.
應以婆羅門身得度者。即現婆羅門身而為說法。應以比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷身得度者。即現比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷身而為說法。應以長者、居士、宰相、婆羅門、婦女身得度者。即現婦女身而為說法。
If someone can be liberated by a lad or maiden, he appears as a lad or maiden and teaches him the Dharma. If someone can be liberated by a god, dragon, yaksha, or gandharva, an asura, garuda, kinnara, or mahoraga, a human, nonhuman, and so forth, he appears accordingly and teaches him the Dharma. And if someone can be liberated by a Vajra-wielding Spirit, he appears as a Vajra-wielding Spirit and teaches him the Dharma.
應以童男、童女身得度者。即現童男、童女身而為說法。應以天、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、伽樓羅、緊那羅、摩候羅伽、人、非人等身得度者。即皆現之而為說法。應以執金剛神得度者。即現執金剛神而為說法。
Infinite Resolve! Such are the meritorious deeds done by Gwan Shr Yin, the Bodhisattva who roams throughout the world and appears in various forms to rescue living beings. Therefore you should all wholeheartedly make offerings to the Bodhisattva Who Listens to the Sounds of All the World.
無盡意。是觀世音菩薩。成就如是功德。以種種形。遊諸國土。度脫眾生。是故汝等。應當一心供養觀世音菩薩。
In times of terror, crisis, and trouble, the Great Bodhisattva Gwan Shr Yin can bestow courage and dispel all fears. Therefore, all throughout the Saha world we call him Giver of Courage.
是觀世音菩薩摩訶薩。於怖畏急難之中。能施無畏。是故此娑婆世界。皆號之為施無畏者。
The Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, I will now make an offering to the Bodhisattva Gwan Shr Yin."
無盡意菩薩白佛言。世尊。我今當供養觀世音菩薩。
And so saying, he removed his rosary of pearls, worth hundreds of thousands of taels of gold and presented it to the Bodhisattva with these words: " O Humane One, please accept my offering of Dharma, this rosary of precious pearls."
即解頸眾寶珠瓔珞。價值百千兩金。而以與之。作是言。仁者。受此法施珍寶瓔珞。
But Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva would not accept the pearls. Infinite Resolve once more entreated Gwan Shr Yin,
"O Humane One, out of pity for us, please receive the rosary."
時觀世音菩薩。不肯受之。無盡意復白觀世音菩薩言。仁者愍我等故。受此瓔珞。
Then the Buddha said to Gwan Shr Yin, "Out of compassion for Infinite Resolve and the Four Assemblies, for the gods, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhuman beings, and the rest, accept this rosary."
爾時佛告觀世音菩薩。當愍此無盡意菩薩及四眾、天、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、伽樓羅、緊那羅、摩候羅伽、人、非人等故。受是瓔珞。
Then Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva, out of pity for the Four Assemblies, for the gods, dragons, humans, non humans, and the rest, accepted the rosary and divided it into two parts. One strand he offered to Shakyamuni Buddha, the other to the stupa of the Buddha Many Jewels.
即時觀世音菩薩愍諸四眾。及於天、龍、人、非人等。受其瓔珞。分作二分。一分奉釋迦牟尼佛。一分奉多寶佛塔。
Infinite Resolve! With such sovereign spiritual powers does the Bodhisattva Gwan Shr Yin traverse the Saha World. Then the Bodhisattva Infinite Resolve put his questions into verses and asked them once again:
無盡意。觀世音菩薩有如是自在神力。遊於娑婆世界。爾時無盡意菩薩以偈問曰。
"World Honored One,
Complete with Wondrous Hallmarks,
Several questions I would ask again.
How did this disciple of the Buddha,
Earn the name Gwan Shr Yin?
世尊妙相具。我今重問彼。佛子何因緣。名為觀世音。
Then the World Honored One, his every feature full, answered in melodious verse to Infinite Resolve:
Come listen and I』ll tell you Gwan Yin’s story
How deftly he responds to every side;
具足妙相尊。偈答無盡意。汝聽觀音行。善應諸方所。
Spanning ages past the ken of numbers,
With oceanic vows both deep and wide.
Serving ancient Buddhas, several billions,
His pure and lofty vows in brief I』ll tell.
弘誓深如海。歷劫不思議。待多千億佛。發大清淨願。
Whoever sees his face or learns about him,
Who can hold this Bodhisattva’s name,
Will leave behind the sorrows of existence,
And so this cultivation’s not in vain!
我為汝略說。聞名及見身。心念不空過。能滅諸有苦。
Should you be pushed into a raging fire,
By enemies so harmful, mean, and cruel,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva
The blaze will turn into a limpid pool.
假使興害意。推落大火炕。念彼觀音力。火炕變成池。
If cast adrift upon the mighty ocean,
Where dragons, ghosts, and sharks in turn surround,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva,
You』ll float atop the waves and will not drown.
或漂流巨海。龍魚諸鬼難。念彼觀音力。波浪不能沒。
Suppose an evil person pushed you headlong,
From atop the peak called Wondrous Tall,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva,
And like the sun in space you will not fall.
或在須彌峰。為人所推墮。念彼觀音力。如日虛空住。
Perhaps you tumble down from Vajra Mountain,
Fleeing wicked ruffians who pursue,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva,
And not the slightest harm will come to you.
或被惡人逐。墮落金剛山。念彼觀音力。不能損一毛。
Surrounded by a mob of heartless bandits,
Their weapons drawn, with murder on their minds,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva,
Their evil hearts will soften and turn kind.
或值怨賊繞。各執刀加害。念彼觀音力。鹹即起慈心。
If you are on the verge of execution,
Sentenced by the State, condemned to die,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva,
The sword will break to pieces just in time.
或遭王難苦。臨刑欲壽終。念彼觀音力。刀尋段段壞。
If bound and chained, restrained by ropes and shackles,
With hands and feet confined in stocks and gyves,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva,
The fetters by themselves will fall aside.
或囚禁枷鎖。手足被杻械。念彼觀音力。釋然得解脫。
Hexes, poison, magic spells, and voodoo,
Cast by those who plot to do you in,
Return to curse the sorcerer who sent them,
When you invoke the power of Gwan Shr Yin.
咒詛諸毒藥。所欲害身者。念彼觀音力。還著於本人。
If you meet with evil Rakshashas,
Lethal dragons, ghosts, and vicious beasts,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva,
None will dare to harm you in the least.
或遇惡羅剎。毒龍諸鬼等。念彼觀音力。時悉不敢害。
Circled round and trapped by savage creatures,
With razor fangs and claws that terrify,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva,
And they will quickly flee to every side.
若惡獸圍繞。利牙爪可怖。念彼觀音力。疾走無邊方。
Facing vipers, scorpions, and pythons,
Belching poisons, fumes, and scorching flames,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva,
They』ll shrink and turn away before his name.
元蛇及蝮蠍。氣毒煙火然。念彼觀音力。尋聲自回去。
When thunder-clouds explode and lightning crackles,
Dumping sleet, and hail, and heavy rains,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva,
The skies will clear, the storms will drift away.
雲雷鼓掣電。降雹澍大雨。念彼觀音力。應時得消散。
Living beings harassed and vexed, and troubled,
By countless sorrows, burdened without cease,
This Bodhisattva’s wondrous wisdom-power.
Can help the suffering world obtain relief.
眾生被困厄。無量苦逼身。觀音妙智力。能求世間苦。
Perfect and complete in psychic power,
Widely versed in wisdom’s subtle skills,
In lands throughout the ten directions,
The Bodhisattva manifests at will.
具足神通力。廣修智方便。十方諸國土。無剎不現身。
The agony amid the Evil Pathways,
The torments of the ghosts, the beasts, the hells,
The pains of birth, the aged, sick, and dying,
The Bodhisattva gradually dispels.
種種諸惡趣。地獄鬼畜生。生老病死苦。以漸悉令滅。
O Thou of true regard, of pure regard,
Regard far-reaching, wise, and truly great,
Thy loving-kindness, sympathy, and deep regard,
I vow to ever laud and venerate.
真觀清淨觀。廣大智慧觀。悲觀及慈觀。常願常瞻仰。
Your wisdom-sun can break apart the darkness,
Immaculate, your virgin light unfurls,
To quell disasters, winds, and storms, and fires,
A universal light for all the world.
無垢清淨光。慧日破諸暗。能伏災風水。普明照世間。
Wellspring of compassion, precepts』 thunder,
Your wondrous cloud of kindness covers all.
Extinguishing the fires of life’s afflictions,
As the rain of sweet-dew Dharma falls.
悲體戒雷震。慈意妙大雲。澍甘露法雨。滅除煩惱焰。
In trials, suits, and civil confrontations,
When fear runs high, when warring armies near,
Evoke the strength of Gwan Yin Bodhisattva,
Vengeance and bad feelings disappear.
諍訟經官處。怖畏軍陣中。念彼觀音力。眾怨悉退散。
Fine and wondrous sound: Gwan Shr Yin!
Brahma-sound, steady as the tides.
A name transcending every worldly sound,
Gwan Yin! Stay forever in my mind.
妙音觀世音。梵音海潮音。勝彼世間音。是故須常念。
Let not a single doubt arise to haunt us,
For Gwan Yin Bodhisattva, Holy Sage,
Amid life’s troubles, and the pains of dying,
Will ever be our refuge, and our aid.
念念勿生疑。觀世音淨聖。於苦惱死厄。能為作依怙。
O Holy One! Replete with every virtue,
Your kindly gaze beholds all living beings.
A boundless sea you are, of every blessing.
And let us bow to offer our esteem!"
具一切功德。慈眼視眾生。福聚海無量。是故應頂禮。
Then Bodhisattva, Guardian of the Earth arose from his seat, went before the Buddha and proclaimed, "O! World Honored One, living beings must have abundant merit and virtue to hear this chapter on Gwan Shr Yin Bodhisattva’s sovereign deeds, and how he universally responds with his spiritual power."
爾時持地菩薩即從座起。前白佛言。世尊。若有眾生。聞是觀世音菩薩品自在之業。普門示現神通力者。當知是人功德不少。
And while the Buddha spoke this Universal Door Chapter, eighty-four thousand living beings from among the assembly set their minds on achieving Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi!
佛說是普門品時。眾中八萬四千眾生皆發無等等阿耨多羅三藐三菩提心。