法華玄論 10.133

10.133

答：此越舉一名也。二者眾生稱名具動三業，今欲遍生三業善，故偏名觀音也。三者娑婆以音聲為佛事。四稱名得自行化他，餘但自行。五者稱名便易，若遭難之時身禮意念為難。六者直稱名尚脫苦，何況意念、身禮拜耶。如妙藥，但得聞能治病，況意念身觸耶。七者《弘猛海惠經》明觀音過去世值空王觀世音佛發願：願未來名觀世音。餘二名無有願也。則觀音名有二：一行、二願。行者觀名救苦，願者過去發願也。

Answer: First, this uniquely singles out one name. Second, when sentient beings recite the name, it fully activates all three karmas; now, wishing universally to generate the good of the three karmas, it is specifically named Guānyīn. Third, in the Sahā world, sound is used to perform the Buddha's work. Fourth, reciting the name achieves both one's own practice and the transformation of others, whereas the other [karmas] are merely one's own practice. Fifth, reciting the name is convenient and easy; when encountering calamity, bodily prostration and mental mindfulness are difficult. Sixth, simply reciting the name still brings escape from suffering, how much more so mental mindfulness and bodily prostration! It is like a wondrous medicine: merely smelling it can cure illness, how much more so mindfully contemplating it or touching it with the body! Seventh, the Sūtra of the Vast and Valiant Sea of Wisdom explains that in a past life, Guānyīn encountered the Buddha King of Emptiness Guānshìyīn and made a vow: 'May my name in the future be Guānshìyīn.' For the other two names, there were no such vows. Thus the name Guānyīn has two [aspects]: first, practice; second, vow. 'Practice' means contemplating the sounds and saving from suffering; 'vow' refers to the vow made in the past.