摩訶止觀 2.45

2.45

六字即是六觀世音，能破六道三障。所謂大悲觀世音破地獄道三障；此道苦重，宜用大悲。大慈觀世音破餓鬼道三障；此道飢渴，宜用大慈。師子無畏觀世音破畜生道三障；獸王威猛，宜用無畏也。大光普照觀世音破阿脩羅道三障；其道猜、忌、嫉、疑，偏宜用普照也。天人丈夫觀世音破人道三障；人道有事、理，事伏憍慢，稱「天人」，理則見佛性，故稱「丈夫」。大梵深遠觀世音破天道三障；梵是天主，標主得臣也。廣六觀世音即是二十五三昧，大悲即是無垢三昧；大慈即是心樂三昧；師子即是不退三昧；大光即是歡喜三昧；丈夫即是如幻等四三昧；大梵即是不動等十七三昧。自思之可見（云云）。

The six syllables are precisely the six Avalokiteśvaras, capable of destroying the three obstacles of the six destinies. Specifically: Great Compassion Avalokiteśvara destroys the three obstacles of the hell destiny; the suffering of this destiny is heavy, so Great Compassion is appropriately used. Great Loving-kindness Avalokiteśvara destroys the three obstacles of the hungry ghost destiny; this destiny suffers hunger and thirst, so Great Loving-kindness is appropriately used. Lion Fearlessness Avalokiteśvara destroys the three obstacles of the animal destiny; the king of beasts is imposing and fierce, so fearlessness is appropriately used. Great Light Universal Illumination Avalokiteśvara destroys the three obstacles of the asura destiny; this destiny is full of suspicion, jealousy, envy, and doubt, so universal illumination is especially appropriate. God-Human Hero Avalokiteśvara destroys the three obstacles of the human destiny; the human destiny possesses both phenomena and principle—phenomenally subduing arrogance is called 'god-human,' and in principle seeing the Buddha-nature is called 'hero.' Great Brahmā Profound Avalokiteśvara destroys the three obstacles of the heavenly destiny; Brahmā is the lord of heaven, and designating the lord subsumes the ministers. Expanding the six Avalokiteśvaras, they are precisely the twenty-five samādhis: Great Compassion is the unstained samādhi; Great Loving-kindness is the mind-joy samādhi; Lion is the non-retrogression samādhi; Great Light is the joy samādhi; Hero is the four samādhis including the illusion-like samādhi; Great Brahmā is the seventeen samādhis including the immovable samādhi. One may understand this through one's own reflection (and so forth).