The Lotus Sūtra 7: 妙法蓮華經卷第七

7.1

後秦龜茲國三藏法師鳩摩羅什奉　詔譯

Translated under imperial order by Tripiṭaka Master Kumārajīva of the state of Kucha under the Later Qin.

7.2

妙音菩薩品第二十四

Chapter Twenty-Four: Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara

7.3

爾時釋迦牟尼佛放大人相肉髻光明，及放眉間白毫相光，遍照東方百八萬億那由他恒河沙等諸佛世界。過是數已，有世界名淨光莊嚴，其國有佛，號淨華宿王智如來、應供、正遍知、明行足、善逝、世間解、無上士、調御丈夫、天人師、佛、世尊，為無量無邊菩薩大眾恭敬圍繞而為說法，釋迦牟尼佛白毫光明遍照其國。爾時一切淨光莊嚴國中，有一菩薩名曰妙音，久已殖眾德本，供養親近無量百千萬億諸佛，而悉成就甚深智慧，得妙幢相三昧、法華三昧、淨德三昧、宿王戲三昧、無緣三昧、智印三昧、解一切眾生語言三昧、集一切功德三昧、清淨三昧、神通遊戲三昧、慧炬三昧、莊嚴王三昧、淨光明三昧、淨藏三昧、不共三昧、日旋三昧，得如是等百千萬億恒河沙等諸大三昧。釋迦牟尼佛光照其身，即白淨華宿王智佛言：「世尊！我當往詣娑婆世界，禮拜、親近、供養釋迦牟尼佛，及見文殊師利法王子菩薩、藥王菩薩、勇施菩薩、宿王華菩薩、上行意菩薩、莊嚴王菩薩、藥上菩薩。」

At that time, Śākyamuni Buddha emitted the light from the uṣṇīṣa mark of a great man, and also emitted the light of the ūrṇā mark between his eyebrows, illuminating all Buddha-worlds in the eastern direction equal to a hundred and eight myriad koṭis of nayutas of Ganges sands. Beyond that number, there was a world named Vairocanaraśmipratimaṇḍitā. In that land was a Buddha named Jaladharagarjitaghoṣasusvaranakṣatrarāhasaṃkusumitābhijña Tathāgata, Arhat, Samyaksambuddha, Vidyācaraṇasampanna, Sugata, Lokavid, Anuttara, Puruṣadamyasārathi, Śāstā Devamanuṣyāṇām, Buddha, Bhagavat, who was respectfully surrounded by an immeasurable and boundless great assembly of bodhisattvas and preached the Dharma for them. The light of Śākyamuni Buddha's ūrṇā mark completely illuminated that land. At that time, in the land of Vairocanaraśmipratimaṇḍitā, there was a bodhisattva named Gadgadasvara, who had long since planted the roots of manifold virtues, made offerings to and attended upon immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of Buddhas, and completely accomplished profound wisdom, attaining the Samādhi of the Mark of the Wonderful Banner, the Lotus Samādhi, the Samādhi of Pure Virtue, the Samādhi of the Nakṣatrarāja's Play, the Samādhi of Objectlessness, the Samādhi of the Seal of Wisdom, the Samādhi of Understanding the Languages of All Sentient Beings, the Samādhi of Gathering All Merits, the Samādhi of Purity, the Samādhi of the Play of Supernormal Powers, the Samādhi of the Torch of Wisdom, the Samādhi of the King of Adornments, the Samādhi of Pure Light, the Samādhi of the Pure Treasury, the Samādhi of Non-commonality, and the Samādhi of the Sun's Rotation, attaining hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of Ganges sands of such great samādhis. When the light of Śākyamuni Buddha illuminated his body, he immediately said to the Buddha Jaladharagarjitaghoṣasusvaranakṣatrarāhasaṃkusumitābhijña: 'Bhagavat! I should go to the Sahā world to pay homage, attend upon, and make offerings to Śākyamuni Buddha, and to see the Bodhisattva Prince of Dharma Mañjuśrī, Bodhisattva Bhaiṣajyarāja, Bodhisattva Pradānaśūra, Bodhisattva Nakṣatrarājapuṣpa, Bodhisattva Viśiṣṭacāritramati, Bodhisattva Śubharāja, and Bodhisattva Bhaiṣajyasamudgata.'

7.4

爾時淨華宿王智佛告妙音菩薩：「汝莫輕彼國，生下劣想。善男子！彼娑婆世界，高下不平，土石諸山，穢惡充滿，佛身卑小，諸菩薩眾其形亦小。而汝身四萬二千由旬，我身六百八十萬由旬，汝身第一端正，百千萬福，光明殊妙，是故汝往，莫輕彼國——若佛、菩薩及國土，生下劣想。」

puṇyasamuccaya, prasādavatī, ṛddhivikrīḍita, jñānolkā, vyūharāja, vimalaprabhāsa, vimalagarbha, apkṛtsna, and sūryāvarta. He thus attained great samādhis equal in number to the sands of hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of Ganges Rivers. As the light of the Buddha Śākyamuni illuminated his body, he addressed the Buddha Kamaladalavimalanakṣatrarājasaṃkusumitābhijña, saying: “O Bhagavat! I shall go to the sahā world, approach the Buddha Śākyamuni in homage and reverence, and see Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, the Prince of the Dharma, as well as Bodhisattva Bhaiṣajyarāja, Bodhisattva

Pradānaśūra, Bodhisattva Nakṣatrarājasaṃkusumitābhijña, Bodhisattva

Viśiṣṭacāritra, Bodhisattva Vyūharāja, and Bodhisattva Bhaiṣajyasamudgata.”

Then the Buddha Kamaladalavimalanakṣatrarājasaṃkusumitābhijña

addressed Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara, saying: “You must not despise that

world nor think it inferior. O son of a virtuous family! The land of that sahā

world is uneven and irregular and is filled with mud, stones, mountains, and

filth. The Buddha is short of body, as are the bodhisattvas. By contrast, your

body is forty-two thousand yojanas tall, and my body is six million eight

hundred thousand yojanas tall. Your body is perfect in its bearing and illu-

minated most beautifully with hundreds of millions of merits. Yet, when you

go there you must not despise that country nor think the Buddha, bodhi-

sattvas, or the world itself inferior.”

The Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara addressed the Buddha, saying: “O Bha-

gavat! I am now going to the sahā world through the power of the Tathā-

gata, the carefree play of the transcendent powers of the Tathāgata, and the

adornment of the qualities and wisdom of the Tathāgata.”

At that time Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara, without rising from his seat or

moving his body, entered samādhi. Through the power of the samādhi he

caused eighty-four thousand jeweled lotus flowers to appear on Mount

Gṛdhrakūṭa, not far from the seat of the Dharma. The stems were made of

Jambūnāda gold, the leaves of silver, the pistils of diamond, and the calyces

of ruby.

On seeing these lotus flowers, Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, the Prince of the

Dharma, addressed the Buddha, saying: “O Bhagavat! Why has this marvel

appeared? There are a great many millions of lotus flowers, whose stems are

made of Jambūnāda gold, leaves of silver, pistils of diamond, and calyces

of ruby.”

The Buddha Śākyamuni answered Mañjuśrī, saying: “The Bodhisattva

Gadgadasvara wishes to come to this sahā world from the buddha world

called Kamaladalavimalanakṣatrarājasaṃkusumitābhijña, together with

eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas as his retinue. He approaches me in hom-

age and reverence, wishing to make offerings and to hear the Lotus Sutra.”

Mañjuśrī asked the Buddha, saying: “O Bhagavat! What roots of good

merit has he planted, and what merits has he practiced to attain his great tran-

At that time, the Buddha Jaladharagarjitaghoṣasusvaranakṣatrarāhasaṃkusumitābhijña told Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara: 'Do not hold that land in contempt or give rise to thoughts of its inferiority. Kulaputra! That Sahā world is uneven, with mountains of earth and rock, filled with impurities and evils. The Buddha's body is small and low, and the forms of the bodhisattva assembly are also small. Yet your body is forty-two thousand yojanas, and my body is six million eight hundred thousand yojanas. Your body is foremost in upright beauty, with hundreds of thousands of myriads of blessings and exquisitely marvelous radiance. Therefore, when you go, do not hold that land in contempt—neither giving rise to thoughts of inferiority toward the Buddha, the bodhisattvas, nor the land.'

7.5

妙音菩薩白其佛言：「世尊！我今詣娑婆世界，皆是如來之力，如來神通遊戲，如來功德智慧莊嚴。」於是妙音菩薩不起于座，身不動搖，而入三昧，以三昧力，於耆闍崛山，去法座不遠，化作八萬四千眾寶蓮華，閻浮檀金為莖，白銀為葉，金剛為鬚，甄叔迦寶以為其臺。

Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara said to his Buddha: 'Bhagavat! That I now go to the Sahā world is entirely through the Tathāgata's power, the Tathāgata's play of supernormal powers, and the Tathāgata's adornment of merit and wisdom.' Thereupon Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara, without rising from his seat and without his body moving, entered samādhi. By the power of samādhi, on Gṛdhrakūṭa, not far from the Dharma seat, he magically manifested eighty-four thousand jeweled lotuses, with jambūnada gold for stems, white silver for leaves, vajra for stamens, and kiṃśuka gems for calyxes.

7.6

爾時，文殊師利法王子見是蓮華，而白佛言：「世尊！是何因緣，先現此瑞？有若干千萬蓮華，閻浮檀金為莖，白銀為葉，金剛為鬚，甄叔迦寶以為其臺。」

At that time, Prince of Dharma Mañjuśrī saw these lotus flowers and said to the Buddha: 'Bhagavat! For what cause and condition is this auspicious sign first manifested? There are several tens of millions of lotus flowers, with jambūnada gold for stems, white silver for leaves, vajra for stamens, and kiṃśuka gems for calyxes.'

7.7

爾時釋迦牟尼佛告文殊師利：「是妙音菩薩摩訶薩，欲從淨華宿王智佛國，與八萬四千菩薩，圍繞而來至此娑婆世界，供養、親近、禮拜於我，亦欲供養、聽法華經。」

At that time, Śākyamuni Buddha told Mañjuśrī: 'This Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Gadgadasvara wishes to come from the land of the Buddha Jaladharagarjitaghoṣasusvaranakṣatrarāhasaṃkusumitābhijña to this Sahā world, surrounded by eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas, to make offerings, attend upon, and pay homage to me, and also wishes to make offerings to and listen to the Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra.'

7.8

文殊師利白佛言：「世尊！是菩薩種何善本？修何功德？而能有是大神通力？行何三昧？願為我等說是三昧名字，我等亦欲勤修行之，行此三昧，乃能見是菩薩色相大小，威儀進止。唯願世尊以神通力，彼菩薩來，令我得見。」

Mañjuśrī said to the Buddha: 'Bhagavat! What roots of virtue has this bodhisattva planted? What merits has he cultivated, that he can have such great supernormal power? What samādhi does he practice? We pray that you will tell us the name of this samādhi, so that we too may diligently cultivate it; for only by practicing this samādhi can one see the bodily form, large or small, and the deportment and conduct of this bodhisattva. We only pray that the Bhagavat, through supernormal power, will cause that bodhisattva to arrive so that I may see him.'

7.9

爾時釋迦牟尼佛告文殊師利：「此久滅度多寶如來，當為汝等而現其相。」

scendent powers? What kind of samādhi has he practiced? I entreat you to

tell us the name of this samādhi. We wish to practice it with diligence. By practicing this samādhi we wish to see the shape, appearance, size, and manner of this bodhisattva. I entreat you, O Bhagavat, to use your transcendent powers and let us see the appearance of that bodhisattva.”

Then, the Buddha Śākyamuni spoke to Mañjuśrī, saying: “The Tathāgata Prabhūtaratna, who long ago entered parinirvāṇa, will manifest the signs for you.”

At that time the Buddha Prabhūtaratna addressed that bodhisattva, saying: “Come, O son of a virtuous family! Mañjuśrī, the Prince of the Dharma, wishes to see you.”

Thereupon Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara disappeared from his world and arrived together with eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas. In the worlds through which he passed, the land quaked in six ways, seven-jeweled lotus flowers rained everywhere, and hundreds of thousands of heavenly musical instruments sounded spontaneously without being played. The eyes of this bodhisattva were as large as blue lotus leaves. Even if hundreds of thousands of myriads of moons were gathered together they would not exceed the beauty of his countenance. His body was pure gold in color, adorned with immeasurable hundreds of thousands of merits, radiant with virtuous dignity, and brilliantly illuminated like the adamantine body of the god Nārāyaṇa. Having entered the seven-jeweled platform and ascended into the air, he flew above the earth at a height of seven tāla trees. Surrounded by respectful bodhisattvas, he arrived at Mount Gṛdhrakūṭa in this sahā world and descended from the seven-jeweled terrace. He came before the Buddha Śākyamuni with a necklace worth hundreds of thousands in his hand and bowed until his forehead reached the Buddha’s feet. He presented the necklace to the Buddha, saying: “O Bhagavat! The Buddha Kamaladalavimalanakṣatrarājasaṃkusumitābhijña inquires of the Bhagavat:

Are you without illness or pain? Is your daily life pleasant? Are you at

ease in practice? Is the world around you harmonious? Are your worldly

affairs bearable? Is it easy to save sentient beings? Are they not filled

with greed, anger, foolishness, avarice, and pride? Are they mindful of

their parents? Do they respect śrāmaṇas? Do they not have false views

or erring thoughts? Do they control the desires of their five senses? O

Bhagavat! Do the sentient beings conquer māras? Has the Tathāgata

Prabhūtaratna sitting in the seven-jeweled stupa long after his parinirvāṇa

come here to hear the Dharma?

Furthermore, he inquired of the Tathāgata Prabhūtaratna, saying: “Are

you at ease and without pain? O Bhagavat! Will your life be long and endured

with patience? I now wish to see the body of the Buddha Prabhūtaratna. I

entreat you, O Bhagavat, to manifest and show it to me.”

At that time the Buddha Śākyamuni said to the Buddha Prabhūtaratna:

“This Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara wants to see you.”

Then, the Buddha Prabhūtaratna addressed Gadgadasvara, saying: “Splen-

did! Splendid! You have paid homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni and heard

At that time, Śākyamuni Buddha told Mañjuśrī: 'This Prabhūtaratna Tathāgata, long since extinguished, shall manifest his form for you all.'

7.10

時多寶佛告彼菩薩：「善男子！來，文殊師利法王子欲見汝身。」于時妙音菩薩於彼國沒，與八萬四千菩薩俱共發來。所經諸國，六種震動，皆悉雨於七寶蓮華；百千天樂，不鼓自鳴。是菩薩目如廣大青蓮華葉，正使和合百千萬月，其面貌端正復過於此，身真金色，無量百千功德莊嚴，威德熾盛，光明照曜，諸相具足，如那羅延堅固之身。入七寶臺，上昇虛空，去地七多羅樹，諸菩薩眾恭敬圍繞，而來詣此娑婆世界耆闍崛山。到已，下七寶臺，以價直百千瓔珞，持至釋迦牟尼佛所，頭面禮足，奉上瓔珞，而白佛言：「世尊！淨華宿王智佛問訊世尊，少病、少惱，起居輕利，安樂行不？四大調和不？世事可忍不？眾生易度不？無多貪欲、瞋恚、愚癡、嫉妬、慳慢不？無不孝父母、不敬沙門、邪見、不善心、不攝五情不？世尊！眾生能降伏諸魔怨不？久滅度多寶如來在七寶塔中，來聽法不？又問訊多寶如來，安隱、少惱，堪忍久住不？世尊！我今欲見多寶佛身，唯願世尊，示我令見。」

Then Prabhūtaratna Buddha told that bodhisattva: 'Kulaputra! Come, Prince of Dharma Mañjuśrī wishes to see your body.' At that time, Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara vanished from that land and departed together with eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas. The lands they passed through shook in six ways, and seven-jeweled lotuses rained everywhere; hundreds of thousands of heavenly instruments sounded on their own without being struck. This bodhisattva's eyes were like broad blue lotus petals, and even if a hundred thousand myriad moons were brought together, the upright beauty of his face would still surpass them; his body was of genuine golden color, adorned with immeasurable hundreds of thousands of merits, ablaze with awe-inspiring virtue, brilliantly radiant, and completely endowed with the marks, like the firm body of Nārāyaṇa. Entering a tower of seven jewels, he ascended into the sky to a height of seven tāla trees above the ground, and surrounded respectfully by the assembly of bodhisattvas, came to Gṛdhrakūṭa in this Sahā world. Having arrived, he descended from the tower of seven jewels, took necklaces worth hundreds of thousands, and went to Śākyamuni Buddha's presence. Touching his head and face to the feet in obeisance, he presented the necklaces and said to the Buddha: 'Bhagavat! The Buddha Jaladharagarjitaghoṣasusvaranakṣatrarāhasaṃkusumitābhijña inquires after the Bhagavat: Are you free from illness, free from vexation, light and nimble in your daily activities, and walking in ease? Are the four great elements in harmony? Are worldly affairs endurable? Are sentient beings easy to deliver? Are they free from abundant greed, anger, ignorance, jealousy, stinginess, and arrogance? Are they free from filial impiety to parents, disrespect for śramaṇas, false views, evil minds, and failure to restrain the five senses? Bhagavat! Can sentient beings subdue the māra enemies? Does Prabhūtaratna Tathāgata, long since extinguished, inside the seven-jeweled stūpa, come to hear the Dharma?' He also inquired after Prabhūtaratna Tathāgata: 'Are you at peace, with few vexations, and able to endure abiding for long? Bhagavat! I now wish to see the body of Prabhūtaratna Buddha. I only pray that the Bhagavat will show it to me so that I may see it.'

7.11

爾時釋迦牟尼佛語多寶佛：「是妙音菩薩欲得相見。」

At that time, Śākyamuni Buddha spoke to Prabhūtaratna Buddha: 'This Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara wishes to see you.'

7.12

時多寶佛告妙音言：「善哉，善哉！汝能為供養釋迦牟尼佛及聽法華經，并見文殊師利等，故來至此。」

Then Prabhūtaratna Buddha told Gadgadasvara: 'Well done, well done! You have been able to come here in order to make offerings to Śākyamuni Buddha, listen to the Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra, and see Mañjuśrī and the others.'

7.13

爾時華德菩薩白佛言：「世尊！是妙音菩薩，種何善根，修何功德，有是神力？」

the Lotus Sutra, and have come here in order to see Mañjuśrī and others.”

Thereupon Bodhisattva Padmaśrī addressed the Buddha, saying: “O Bha-

gavat! What roots of good merit has this Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara planted,

and what merits has he practiced to attain these transcendent powers?”

The Buddha answered Bodhisattva Padmaśrī, saying: “In the past there

was the Buddha called Meghadundubhisvararāja, a Tathāgata, Arhat, Com-

pletely Enlightened. His world was called Sarvarūpasaṃdarśana and the kalpa

was called Priyadarśana. For a period of twelve thousand years Bodhisattva

Gadgadasvara paid homage to the Buddha Meghadundubhisvararāja with a

hundred thousand kinds of music and eighty-four thousand seven-jeweled

bowls. As a result of his deeds he was born in the world of the Buddha Kamala-

dalavimalanakṣatrarājasaṃkusumitābhijña and has attained his transcendent

powers. O Padmaśrī! What do you think about this? Is Bodhisattva Gadgada-

svara, who paid homage to the Buddha Meghadundubhisvararāja with music

and jeweled vessels, someone unknown? Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Gadga-

dasvara here present is one and the same. O Padmaśrī! Having closely and

respectfully attended innumerable buddhas and planted roots of good merit

over a long time, this Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara met hundreds of thousands

of myriads of koṭis of nayutas of buddhas equal in number to the sands of the

Ganges River. O Padmaśrī! You think that the body of Bodhisattva Gadgada-

svara exists only here; however, this bodhisattva manifests himself in vari-

ous bodies. He has thus taught this sutra in many places for the sake of the

sentient beings. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of Brahma. Some-

times he has appeared in the form of Śakra. Sometimes he has appeared in

the form of Īśvara. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of Maheśvara. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of the great commander of the devas. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of Vaiśravaṇa. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of a noble emperor. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of a minor king. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of a wealthy man. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of a householder. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of a state official. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of a brahman. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of a monk, nun, layman, or laywoman. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of the wife of a wealthy man or a householder. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of the wife of a state official. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of the wife of a brahman. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of a boy or a girl. Sometimes he has appeared in the form of a human, or a nonhuman such as a deva, nāga, yakṣa, gandharva, asura, garuḍa, kiṃnara, or mahoraga.

“In this way he has expounded this sutra and saved those in the states of being of hell-dwellers, hungry ghosts, animals, and those in difficult circumstances. Sometimes he has transformed himself into a female in royal harems and taught this sutra. O Padmaśrī! This Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara saves all sentient beings in the sahā world. This Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara has transformed himself into various forms and taught this sutra for the sake of all sentient beings. Nevertheless, his transcendent power has never

At that time, Bodhisattva Padmaśrī said to the Buddha: 'Bhagavat! What roots of virtue has this Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara planted, and what merits has he cultivated, to possess such supernormal power?'

7.14

佛告華德菩薩：「過去有佛，名雲雷音王多陀阿伽度、阿羅訶、三藐三佛陀，國名現一切世間，劫名憙見，妙音菩薩於萬二千歲，以十萬種伎樂供養雲雷音王佛，并奉上八萬四千七寶鉢。以是因緣果報，今生淨華宿王智佛國，有是神力。華德！於汝意云何？爾時雲雷音王佛所，妙音菩薩——伎樂供養、奉上寶器者，豈異人乎？今此妙音菩薩摩訶薩是。華德！是妙音菩薩，已曾供養親近無量諸佛，久殖德本，又值恒河沙等百千萬億那由他佛。

The Buddha told Bodhisattva Padmaśrī: 'In the past there was a Buddha named Meghadundubhisvararāja Tathāgata, Arhat, Samyaksambuddha. His land was named Sarvalokasaṃdarśana, and his kalpa was named Priyadarśana. Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara, for twelve thousand years, made offerings to the Buddha Meghadundubhisvararāja with a hundred thousand kinds of music and presented eighty-four thousand seven-jeweled alms bowls. By the karmic reward of this cause and condition, he is now born in the land of the Buddha Jaladharagarjitaghoṣasusvaranakṣatrarāhasaṃkusumitābhijña and possesses such supernormal power. Padmaśrī! What do you think? Was the one who offered music and presented precious vessels to the Buddha Meghadundubhisvararāja at that time someone else? It was none other than this Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Gadgadasvara. Padmaśrī! This Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara has already made offerings to and attended upon immeasurable Buddhas, planted roots of virtue long ago, and encountered Buddhas equal to the sands of the Ganges, hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of nayutas in number.'

7.15

「華德！汝但見妙音菩薩其身在此，而是菩薩，現種種身，處處為諸眾生說是經典——或現梵王身，或現帝釋身，或現自在天身，或現大自在天身，或現天大將軍身，或現毘沙門天王身，或現轉輪聖王身，或現諸小王身，或現長者身，或現居士身，或現宰官身，或現婆羅門身，或現比丘、比丘尼、優婆塞、優婆夷身，或現長者居士婦女身，或現宰官婦女身，或現婆羅門婦女身，或現童男、童女身，或現天、龍、夜叉、乾闥婆、阿修羅、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽、人非人等身，而說是經。諸有地獄、餓鬼、畜生，及眾難處，皆能救濟，乃至於王後宮，變為女身，而說是經。

'Padmaśrī! You merely see Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara's body here, but this bodhisattva manifests various bodies and preaches this sūtra everywhere for sentient beings—sometimes manifesting the body of Brahmā, sometimes manifesting the body of Śakra, sometimes manifesting the body of Īśvara, sometimes manifesting the body of Maheśvara, sometimes manifesting the body of a great heavenly general, sometimes manifesting the body of the Heavenly King Vaiśravaṇa, sometimes manifesting the body of a Cakravartin, sometimes manifesting the bodies of lesser kings, sometimes manifesting the body of an elder, sometimes manifesting the body of a householder, sometimes manifesting the body of an official, sometimes manifesting the body of a brāhmaṇa, sometimes manifesting the body of a bhikṣu, bhikṣuṇī, upāsaka, or upāsikā, sometimes manifesting the body of the wife of an elder or householder, sometimes manifesting the body of the wife of an official, sometimes manifesting the body of the wife of a brāhmaṇa, sometimes manifesting the body of a young boy or young girl, sometimes manifesting the body of a deva, nāga, yakṣa, gandharva, asura, garuḍa, kinnara, mahoraga, human, or non-human, and preaching this sūtra. In all places of hells, hungry ghosts, animals, and difficult realms, he is able to rescue them; even in the king's inner palace, transforming into a female body, he preaches this sūtra.'

7.16

「華德！是妙音菩薩，能救護娑婆世界諸眾生者，是妙音菩薩如是種種變化現身，在此娑婆國土，為諸眾生說是經典，於神通、變化、智慧無所損減。是菩薩，以若干智慧明照娑婆世界，令一切眾生各得所知；於十方恒河沙世界中，亦復如是。若應以聲聞形得度者，現聲聞形而為說法；應以辟支佛形得度者，現辟支佛形而為說法；應以菩薩形得度者，現菩薩形而為說法；應以佛形得度者，即現佛形而為說法。如是種種，隨所應度而為現形，乃至應以滅度而得度者，示現滅度。

'Padmaśrī! This Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara is one who can protect and save the sentient beings of the Sahā world. Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara manifests his body through such various transformations, preaching this sūtra in this Sahā world for sentient beings, without diminishing his supernormal powers, transformations, or wisdom. This bodhisattva illuminates the Sahā world with various wisdoms, causing all sentient beings each to attain what they should know; and it is also thus in worlds throughout the ten directions equal to the sands of the Ganges. If there are those who should be delivered in the form of a śrāvaka, he manifests the form of a śrāvaka and preaches the Dharma for them; if there are those who should be delivered in the form of a pratyekabuddha, he manifests the form of a pratyekabuddha and preaches the Dharma for them; if there are those who should be delivered in the form of a bodhisattva, he manifests the form of a bodhisattva and preaches the Dharma for them; if there are those who should be delivered in the form of a Buddha, he manifests the form of a Buddha and preaches the Dharma for them. In such various ways, he manifests forms according to what is appropriate for deliverance, even manifesting nirvāṇa for those who should be delivered by nirvāṇa.'

7.17

「華德！妙音菩薩摩訶薩，成就大神通智慧之力，其事如是。」

decreased, nor his power of transformation or his wisdom. This bodhisattva illuminates the sahā world with his great wisdom and causes every sentient being to attain what should be known. He does exactly the same in all the worlds of the ten directions, which are equal in number to the sands of the Ganges River. If he is able to save them in the form of a śrāvaka, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of a śrāvaka. If he is able to save them in the form of a pratyekabuddha, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of a pratyekabuddha. If he is able to save them in the form of a bodhisattva, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of a bodhisattva. If he is able to save them in the form of a buddha, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of a buddha. Thus he transforms himself in various ways according to the capacities of those who are to be saved. If he is able to save them by means of parinirvāṇa, he manifests parinirvāṇa to them. O Padmaśrī! Bodhisattva Mahāsattva

Gadgadasvara has achieved his transcendent powers and the power of wisdom in just such a manner.”

Thereupon, Bodhisattva Padmaśrī addressed the Buddha, saying: “O Bhagavat! Deep are the roots of good merit that this Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara has planted! O Bhagavat! In what samādhi did this bodhisattva dwell, such that he was able to appear in various places in this way, and bring sentient beings to the path?”

The Buddha answered Bodhisattva Padmaśrī, saying: “O son of a virtuous family! That samādhi was called sarvarūpasaṃdarśana. Dwelling in this samādhi, Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara has benefited innumerable sentient beings in this way.”

When this chapter “Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara,” was being taught, those eighty-four thousand people who had come with Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara attained the samādhi called sarvarūpasaṃdarśana. Innumerable bodhisattvas in this sahā world also attained this samādhi and dhāraṇī. Then Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Gadgadasvara paid homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni and the stupa of the Buddha Prabhūtaratna and returned to his own world.

Those worlds through which he traveled quaked in six ways and it rained jeweled lotus flowers. Hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of variegated music was heard. Having returned to his own world, he approached the Buddha Kamaladalavimalanakṣatrarājasaṃkusumitābhijña, surrounded by eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas, and said to him: “O Bhagavat! I have been to the sahā world and benefited the sentient beings. Having seen the Buddha Śākyamuni and the stupa of the Buddha Prabhūtaratna, I paid homage to them and made them offerings. Having seen Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, the Prince of the Dharma, Bodhisattva Bhaiṣajyarāja, Bodhisattva Vīryabalavegaprāpta, and Bodhisattva Pradānaśūra, I caused these eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas to attain the samādhi called sarvarūpasaṃdarśana.”

When this chapter, “The Coming and Going of Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara,” was taught, forty-two thousand sons of the devas attained the acceptance of the nonorigination of all dharmas; and Bodhisattva Padmaśrī attained

'Padmaśrī! Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Gadgadasvara has accomplished the power of great supernormal powers and wisdom; such is his deed.'

7.18

爾時華德菩薩白佛言：「世尊！是妙音菩薩，深種善根。世尊！是菩薩住何三昧，而能如是在所變現，度脫眾生？」

At that time, Bodhisattva Padmaśrī said to the Buddha: 'Bhagavat! This Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara has deeply planted roots of virtue. Bhagavat! In what samādhi does this bodhisattva abide, that he can make transformations wherever he is in this way to deliver sentient beings?'

7.19

佛告華德菩薩：「善男子！其三昧名現一切色身，妙音菩薩住是三昧中，能如是饒益無量眾生。」

The Buddha told Bodhisattva Padmaśrī: 'Kulaputra! That samādhi is named Manifestation of All Physical Forms. Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara, abiding in this samādhi, can benefit immeasurable sentient beings in this way.'

7.20

說是妙音菩薩品時，與妙音菩薩俱來者八萬四千人，皆得現一切色身三昧；此娑婆世界無量菩薩，亦得是三昧及陀羅尼。

When this chapter on Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara was spoken, the eighty-four thousand who had come together with Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara all attained the Samādhi of the Manifestation of All Physical Forms; immeasurable bodhisattvas in this Sahā world also attained this samādhi and dhāraṇīs.

7.21

爾時妙音菩薩摩訶薩供養釋迦牟尼佛及多寶佛塔已，還歸本土，所經諸國，六種震動，雨寶蓮華，作百千萬億種種伎樂。既到本國，與八萬四千菩薩、圍繞至淨華宿王智佛所，白佛言：「世尊！我到娑婆世界饒益眾生，見釋迦牟尼佛，及見多寶佛塔，禮拜、供養；又見文殊師利法王子菩薩，及見藥王菩薩、得勤精進力菩薩、勇施菩薩等，亦令是八萬四千菩薩得現一切色身三昧。」說是妙音菩薩來往品時，四萬二千天子得無生法忍，華德菩薩得法華三昧。

At that time, Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Gadgadasvara, having made offerings to Śākyamuni Buddha and to the stūpa of Prabhūtaratna Buddha, returned to his native land. The lands he passed through shook in six ways, rained jeweled lotuses, and produced hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of various musical performances. Having arrived in his own land, surrounded by eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas, he went to the Buddha Jaladharagarjitaghoṣasusvaranakṣatrarāhasaṃkusumitābhijña and said to the Buddha: 'Bhagavat! I went to the Sahā world and benefited sentient beings, saw Śākyamuni Buddha, and saw the stūpa of Prabhūtaratna Buddha, paying homage and making offerings; I also saw Prince of Dharma Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, Bodhisattva Bhaiṣajyarāja, Bodhisattva Viryabalapraharṣaṇarāja, Bodhisattva Pradānaśūra, and others, and also caused these eighty-four thousand bodhisattvas to attain the Samādhi of the Manifestation of All Physical Forms.' When this chapter on the Coming and Going of Bodhisattva Gadgadasvara was spoken, forty-two thousand devaputras attained the forbearance of the non-arising of dharmas, and Bodhisattva Padmaśrī attained the Lotus Samādhi.

7.22

御製觀世音普門品經序

Imperial Preface to the Universal Gate Chapter of Avalokiteśvara Sūtra

7.23

觀世音菩薩，以爍迦羅心應變無窮，自在神通遍遊法界，入微塵國土說法濟度，具足妙相弘誓如海，凡有因緣發清淨心，纔舉聲稱，即隨聲而應，所有欲願即獲如意。妙法蓮華經普門品者，為度脫苦惱之真詮也。人能常以是經作觀，一念方萌，即見大悲勝相，能滅一切諸苦，其功德不可思議。朕惟天道福善禍淫，故佛示果報，使人為善而不敢為惡。夫天堂、地獄皆由人為，不違於方寸之內，故為善者得升天堂，為惡者即墮地獄。夫忠臣孝子吉人貞士，其心即佛，故神明芘佑，業障俱泯，是以生不犯於憲條，沒不墮於無間。夫兇頑之徒，一於為惡，棄五倫如敝帚，蹈刑法如飲甘，寧餧羅剎，不欽佛道。然人性本善，所為惡者，特氣質之偏；苟能改心易慮，修省避畏，轉移之間惡可為善矣。為善則即善人，昔之所積之咎，如太空點塵、紅罏片雪，消滌淨盡，雖有果報將安施乎？朕恒念此，惟恐世之人有過而不知改，乃甘心焉以自棄，遂表章是經，使善良君子永堅禁戒之心，廣納無量之福，為善功德豈有涯涘哉！

Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, with a vajra-like mind, responds and adapts without end, roaming freely throughout the dharmadhātu with unhindered supernatural powers, entering lands as numerous as fine dust motes to preach the Dharma and deliver beings, fully endowed with sublime marks, his vast vows vast as the ocean. Whenever there are conditions, if one gives rise to a pure mind and merely raises one's voice to call his name, he immediately responds according to that voice, and all one's desires are fulfilled. The Universal Gate Chapter of the Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra is the true teaching for deliverance from suffering and affliction. If a person can constantly contemplate by means of this sūtra, the moment a single thought arises, they will see the supreme marks of Great Compassion, which can eliminate all sufferings; its merit is inconceivable. We consider that the Way of Heaven blesses the good and brings misfortune to the wicked; thus the Buddha demonstrated karmic retribution to lead people to do good and not dare to do evil. Indeed, heaven and hell are both made by humankind, not departing from the realm of the mind; therefore, those who do good ascend to heaven, while those who do evil fall into hell. Loyal ministers, filial sons, auspicious people, and chaste scholars—their very minds are Buddha; thus the deities protect them and their karmic obstructions are entirely dissolved. Hence in life they do not violate the laws, and after death they do not fall into the Avīci hell. As for stubborn and perverse scoundrels who dedicate themselves solely to evil, they discard the five human relationships like worn-out brooms, tread upon the penal code as if drinking sweet wine, and would rather feed rākṣasas than revere the Buddha's path. Yet human nature is fundamentally good; their evil deeds are merely deviations of their temperament. If only they could change their hearts and minds, cultivate self-examination, and practice reverent awe, then in an instant evil can turn into good. When they do good, they become good people; the accumulated faults of the past will be like a speck of dust in the vast sky, or a flake of snow upon a red-hot stove, completely melted away and washed clean; even though there be karmic retribution, where could it be applied? We constantly ponder this, fearing only that the people of the world may have faults yet not know to reform them, and willingly abandon themselves. We therefore elucidate this sūtra, so that good and noble persons may perpetually strengthen their resolve to observe the precepts, broadly receive immeasurable blessings; how could the merit of doing good ever have a limit!

7.24

永樂九年五月初一日

First day of the fifth month, ninth year of the Yongle reign period [1411 CE].

7.25

妙法蓮華經觀世音菩薩普門品經

The Universal Gate Chapter of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva of the Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra

7.26

姚秦三藏法師鳩摩羅什譯長行

Prose translated by Kumārajīva, Tripiṭaka Master of the Later Qin

7.27

隋北天竺沙門闍那崛多譯重頌

Verses translated by Jñānagupta, Śramaṇa from Northern India of the Sui

7.28

妙法蓮華經觀世音菩薩普門品第二十五

the saddharmapuṇḍarīka samādhi.

The Gateway to Every Direction

[Manifested by

Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara]

Thereupon arising from his seat with his right shoulder bared, Bodhisattva Akṣayamati faced the Buddha with his palms pressed together, and spoke thus to him: “O Bhagavat! For what reason is Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (Hearer of the Sounds of the World) called Avalokiteśvara?”

The Buddha answered Bodhisattva Akṣayamati, saying: “O son of a virtuous family! If innumerable hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of sentient beings who experience suffering hear of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara and wholeheartedly chant his name, Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara will immediately perceive their voices and free them from their suffering. Even if those who hold to the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara were to enter a great fire, because of this bodhisattva’s transcendent power, the fire would not be able to burn them. If they were adrift on the great waters, by chanting his name they would reach the shallows. There are hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of sentient beings who enter the great ocean to seek such treasures as gold, silver, lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl, agate, coral, amber, and pearl. Even if a cyclone were to blow the ship of one of these toward the land of rākṣasa demons, they would all become free from the danger of those rākṣasa demons if there were even a single person among them who chanted the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. For this reason he is called Avalokiteśvara.

“If anyone who is about to be beaten chants the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, the sticks and swords will immediately be broken into pieces and he will be delivered. If the yakṣas and rākṣasas filling the great manifold cosmos come with the intent to afflict the people but hear them chanting, those demons’ evil eyes will be unable to see them, so how could they possibly hurt them?

“If anyone, whether guilty or innocent, is bound with fetters or chains,

such bonds will be broken into pieces; and those who have been bound will

become free by chanting the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. When a

caravan leader travels on a dangerous road together with his fellow mer-

chants, carrying precious treasures in a great manifold cosmos filled with

evil robbers, if there be a single person who says:

O sons of a virtuous family! Do not fear! You should wholeheartedly

chant the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. This bodhisattva bestows

fearlessness upon sentient beings. If you chant his name, you will be

free from these evil robbers.

“Now, if those merchants chant loudly in unison, saying:

Homage to Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara!

“Then, by chanting his name, the caravan will immediately gain deliver-

Saddharmapuṇḍarīkasūtra, Chapter Twenty-Five: The Universal Gate of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva

7.29

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？」

At that time, Akṣayamati Bodhisattva arose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, joined his palms toward the Buddha, and said: "Bhagavat! For what reason is Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva named Avalokiteśvara?"

7.30

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。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。若有百千萬億眾生，為求金、銀、琉璃、車𤦲、馬瑙、珊瑚、虎珀、真珠等寶，入於大海。假使黑風吹其船舫，飄墮羅剎鬼國，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。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。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。設復有人，若有罪、若無罪，杻械、枷鎖檢繫其身，稱觀世音菩薩名者，皆悉斷壞，即得解脫。若三千大千國土滿中怨賊，有一商主將諸商人，齎持重寶經過嶮路。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。』眾商人聞，俱發聲言：『南無觀世音菩薩。』稱其名故，即得解脫。

The Buddha said to Akṣayamati Bodhisattva: "Kulaputra! If there are immeasurable hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of sentient beings suffering various afflictions, who hear of this Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva and single-mindedly recite his name, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva will immediately perceive their sounds and they will all attain deliverance. If someone upholds the name of this Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, even if they enter a great fire, the fire will not burn them, because of this Bodhisattva's majestic supernatural power. If they are swept away by a great flood, by reciting his name they will immediately reach a shallow place. If there are hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of sentient beings who, in search of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, giant clam, agate, coral, amber, pearls, and other treasures, enter the great sea; and suppose a black tempest blows their ships and strands them in the realm of the rākṣasa demons; if among them there is even a single person who recites the name of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, all of those people will be delivered from the disaster of the rākṣasas. For this reason, he is named Avalokiteśvara. If, furthermore, a person is about to be harmed and recites the name of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, the knives and staves brandished by the attacker will instantly break into pieces, and they will attain deliverance. If the realms of the trichiliocosm were filled with yakṣas and rākṣasas who wish to come and torment someone, upon hearing that person recite the name of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, these evil demons would not even be able to look at them with evil eyes, much less harm them. Furthermore, suppose a person, whether guilty or innocent, is bound and shackled with cangues and chains; if they recite the name of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, these will all break and fall away, and they will immediately attain deliverance. If the realms of the trichiliocosm were filled with bandits, and a merchant leader were leading a group of merchants carrying valuable treasures along a perilous road; and if one among them should say: 'Kulaputras, do not be afraid! You should all single-mindedly recite the name of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. This Bodhisattva can bestow fearlessness upon sentient beings. If you recite his name, you will be delivered from these bandits'; upon hearing this, the merchants all call out together: 'Homage to Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva!' Because they recite his name, they immediately attain deliverance."

7.31

「無盡意！觀世音菩薩摩訶薩威神之力，巍巍如是。若有眾生多於婬欲，常念恭敬觀世音菩薩，便得離欲。若多瞋恚，常念恭敬觀世音菩薩，便得離瞋。若多愚癡，常念恭敬觀世音菩薩，便得離癡。

"Akṣayamati! The majestic supernatural power of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Mahāsattva is towering and magnificent like this. If sentient beings have much lust, by constantly mindfully venerating Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, they will be freed from lust. If they have much anger, by constantly mindfully venerating Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, they will be freed from anger. If they have much delusion, by constantly mindfully venerating Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, they will be freed from delusion."

7.32

「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。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。宿殖德本，眾人愛敬。

ance. O Akṣayamati! The transcendent power of Bodhisattva Mahāsattva

Avalokiteśvara is as great and mighty as this.

“If there are any sentient beings who are greatly subject to sensual desires,

if they contemplate Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara with respect, they will become

free from these desires. If there are any sentient beings who often become

angry, if they contemplate Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara with respect, they will

become free from anger. If there are any sentient beings who are greatly con-

fused, if they contemplate Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara with respect, they will

become free from their confusion. O Akṣayamati! Thus Bodhisattva Avalo-

kiteśvara greatly benefits sentient beings through his transcendent power. For

this reason sentient beings should always turn their thoughts to him.

“If any woman wanting to have a baby boy pays homage and makes

offerings to Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, she will bear a baby boy endowed

with good merit and wisdom. If she wants to have a baby girl, she will bear

a beautiful and handsome baby girl who has planted roots of good merit and

will have the love of sentient beings. O Akṣayamati! Such are the transcen-

dent powers of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara that if any sentient being rever-

ently respects him, the merit they achieve will never be in vain. For this rea-

son sentient beings should hold to the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.

O Akṣayamati! What do you think of someone who holds to the names of the

bodhisattvas equal in number to the sands of sixty-two koṭis of Ganges Rivers and pays homage to them with drink and food, clothes, bedding, and medicine. Is the merit of this son or daughter of a virtuous family great or not?”

Akṣayamati answered, saying: “O Bhagavat! It is great.”

The Buddha said: “If there is anyone who holds to the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara and anyone who pays homage to him and makes offerings even for a moment, the merit of these two people will be equal and the same; it will never be extinguished after hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of kalpas. O Akṣayamati! Those who hold to the name of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara will attain such benefits of immeasurable and limitless merit.”

The Bodhisattva Akṣayamati addressed the Buddha, saying: “O Bhagavat! How does Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara wander through this sahā world? How does he teach the Dharma for the sake of sentient beings? What of his power of skillful means?”

The Buddha said to Bodhisattva Akṣayamati: “O son of a virtuous family! If there is any land where sentient beings are to be saved by the form of a buddha, Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of a buddha. To those who are to be saved by the form of a pratyekabuddha, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of a pratyekabuddha. To those who are to be saved by the form of a śrāvaka, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of a śrāvaka. To those who are to be saved by the form of Brahma, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of Brahma. To those who are to be saved by the form of Śakra, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the

"Akṣayamati! Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva possesses such great majestic supernatural powers and brings vast benefits. Therefore, sentient beings should constantly hold him in mind. If a woman wishes to seek a boy, by bowing and making offerings to Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, she will give birth to a boy endowed with blessings, virtue, and wisdom. If she wishes to seek a girl, she will give birth to an upright and well-featured girl, who has planted the roots of virtue in past lives and is loved and respected by all."

7.33

「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。是故眾生皆應受持觀世音菩薩名號。

"Akṣayamati! Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva possesses such powers. If sentient beings revere and bow to Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, their blessings will not be in vain. Therefore, all sentient beings should accept and uphold the name of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva."

7.34

「無盡意！若有人受持六十二億恒河沙菩薩名字，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？」

"Akṣayamati! If a person were to uphold the names of bodhisattvas numerous as the sands of sixty-two koṭis of Ganges Rivers, and for their whole life make offerings to them of food and drink, clothing, bedding, and medicine—what do you think, would the merit of that kulaputra or kuladhitā be great or not?"

7.35

無盡意言：「甚多，世尊！」

Akṣayamati said: "Very great, Bhagavat!"

7.36

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。無盡意！受持觀世音菩薩名號，得如是無量無邊福德之利。」

The Buddha said: "If, on the other hand, a person upholds the name of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, and even for a single moment bows and makes offerings to him, the blessings of these two persons are equal and without difference; throughout hundreds of thousands of myriads of koṭis of kalpas they cannot be exhausted. Akṣayamati! Upholding the name of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva brings such immeasurable and boundless benefits of blessing and virtue."

7.37

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？」

Akṣayamati Bodhisattva said to the Buddha: "Bhagavat! How does Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva roam this Sahā world? How does he preach the Dharma for sentient beings? What is the nature of his power of skillful means?"

7.38

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；應以辟支佛身得度者，即現辟支佛身而為說法；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；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；應以毘沙門身得度者，即現毘沙門身而為說法；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；應以宰官身得度者，即現宰官身而為說法；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、宰官、婆羅門婦女身得度者，即現婦女身而為說法；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、迦樓羅、緊那羅、摩睺羅伽、人非人等身得度者，即皆現之而為說法；應以執金剛身得度者，即現執金剛身而為說法。

The Buddha said to Akṣayamati Bodhisattva: "Kulaputra! If there are sentient beings in any land who should be delivered by a Buddha's body, Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva immediately manifests a Buddha's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a pratyekabuddha's body, he immediately manifests a pratyekabuddha's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a śrāvaka's body, he immediately manifests a śrāvaka's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a Brahmā king's body, he immediately manifests a Brahmā king's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a Śakra's body, he immediately manifests a Śakra's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by an Īśvara's body, he immediately manifests an Īśvara's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a Maheśvara's body, he immediately manifests a Maheśvara's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a heavenly general's body, he immediately manifests a heavenly general's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a Vaiśravaṇa's body, he immediately manifests a Vaiśravaṇa's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a minor king's body, he immediately manifests a minor king's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by an elder's body, he immediately manifests an elder's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a householder's body, he immediately manifests a householder's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by an official's body, he immediately manifests an official's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a brāhmaṇa's body, he immediately manifests a brāhmaṇa's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a bhikṣu, bhikṣuṇī, upāsaka, or upāsikā's body, he immediately manifests a bhikṣu, bhikṣuṇī, upāsaka, or upāsikā's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by the body of a woman among elders, householders, officials, or brāhmaṇas, he immediately manifests a woman's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a boy or girl's body, he immediately manifests a boy or girl's body and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by the body of a deva, nāga, yakṣa, gandharva, asura, garuḍa, kinnara, mahoraga, human, or non-human, he manifests all of them and preaches the Dharma for them. To those who should be delivered by a vajradhara's body, he immediately manifests a vajradhara's body and preaches the Dharma for them."

7.39

「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。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。」

form of Śakra. To those who are to be saved by the form of Īśvara, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of Īśvara. To those who are to be saved in the form of Maheśvara, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of Maheśvara. To those who are to be saved by the form of the great commander of the devas, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of the great commander of the devas. To those who are to be saved by the form of Vaiśravaṇa, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of Vaiśravaṇa. To those who are to be saved by the form of a minor king, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of a minor king. To those who are to be saved by the form of a wealthy man, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of

a wealthy man. To those who are to be saved by the form of a householder,

he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of a householder.

To those who are to be saved by the form of a state official, he teaches the

Dharma by changing himself into the form of a state official. To those who

are to be saved by the form of a brahman, he teaches the Dharma by chang-

ing himself into the form of a brahman. To those who are to be saved by the

form of a monk, nun, layman, or laywoman, he teaches the Dharma by chang-

ing himself into the form of a monk, nun, layman, or laywoman. To those

who are to be saved by the form of a wife of either a wealthy man, a house-

holder, a state official, or a brahman, he teaches the Dharma by changing

himself into the form of such a wife. To those who are to be saved by the

form of a boy or a girl, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the

form of a boy or a girl. To those who are to be saved by the form of a human

or of a nonhuman such as a deva, nāga, yakṣa, gandharva, asura, garuḍa,

kiṃnara, or mahoraga, he teaches the Dharma by changing himself into any

of these forms. To those who are to be saved by the form of Vajrapāṇi, he

teaches the Dharma by changing himself into the form of Vajrapāṇi.

“O Akṣayamati! This Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara displays such quali-

ties, wanders through many lands in various forms, and saves sentient beings.

For this reason you should wholeheartedly pay homage to Bodhisattva Aval-

okiteśvara. This Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara bestows fearlessness in times of

fearful calamity. For this reason everybody in this sahā world calls him Abhayaṃ-

dada (Giver of Fearlessness).

The Bodhisattva Akṣayamati addressed the Buddha, saying: “O Bha-

gavat! I shall now pay homage to Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.”

He then took from his neck a many-jeweled necklace worth hundreds

of thousands of gold coins, gave it to him, and said: “I entreat you to accept

this rare-jeweled necklace for the Dharma.”

At that time Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara did not dare to receive it. Akṣaya-

mati addressed Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, saying: “I entreat you to accept

this necklace out of pity for us.”

"Akṣayamati! This Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva has accomplished such merits, and in various forms roams the lands to deliver sentient beings. Therefore, you all should single-mindedly make offerings to Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. This Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Mahāsattva can bestow fearlessness in the midst of terror and urgent adversity; therefore, everyone in this Sahā world calls him the Bestower of Fearlessness."