Zen in Ten: "If Menaced by Dragons or Demons"
Wisdom from the Lotus Sutra
Below are excerpts from the “Universal Gateway” chapter of the Lotus Sutra. We chanted this chapter as part of the recent jukai-e ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Soto Zen in North America. The energy generated from reciting this with more than 100 people in the assembly at Zenshuji was inspiring! Given all the divisiveness and violence in the world, we could use some of Avalokiteshvara’s boundless compassion and radiant wisdom. Peace.
Bodhisattva Akshayamati asked a question in verse: “Oh World-honored one, of wondrous form, I inquire again of that buddha-child: what are the causes of his name, ‘Regarding the Cries of the World?” The Honored One, of wondrous form, replied in verse to Akshayamati: “Listen to the deeds of Avalokiteshvara, who aptly responds in every quarter. With a vast pledge as deep as oceans, throughout kalpas beyond reckoning, she served many thousands of millions of buddhas, bringing forth this great pure vow.
For you I explain it briefly: hearing the name or seeing the form of Avalokiteshvara with mindful remembrance is not in vain, for the woes of existence can thus be relieved. Even if someone with harmful intent should push you into a fiery pit, by mindfully invoking Avalokiteshvara’s power, the pit of fire will turn into a pool.
If floating on a vast sea, menaced by dragons, fish, or demons, by mindfully invoking Avalokiteshvara’s power the billowing waves cannot drown you. If from Mount Sumeru’s lofty peak someone were to throw you down, by mindfully invoking Avalokiteshvara’s power, like the sun you would stand firm in the sky.
If pursued by wicked men, down from Diamond Mountain, by mindfully invoking Avalokiteshvara’s power, they could not harm a single hair. If surrounded by vicious bandits, each with a sword drawn to strike, by mindfully invoking Avalokiteshvara’s power, at once their hearts will turn to compassion. If persecuted by rulers, you face torture and execution, by mindfully invoking Avalokiteshvara’s power, their weapons will thereby shatter to pieces.
If imprisoned in shackles and chains, hands and feet bound in restraints, by mindfully invoking Avalokiteshvara’s power, suddenly you shall be released. If by curses or poisonous herbs someone wishes to hurt your body, by mindfully invoking Avalokiteshvara’s power, the harmful intent will return to its source.
When living beings suffer hardships, burdened by immeasurable woes, the power of Avalokiteshvara’s wondrous wisdom can relieve the suffering of the world. Fully endowed with miraculous powers, widely practicing wisdom and skillful means, in every land in all directions, in no realm does Avalokiteshvara not appear.
In all the various destinies of hell beings, hungry ghosts, and animals, the suffering of birth, old age, sickness, and death are gradually relieved by Avalokiteshvara. Oh, you of the true gaze, of the pure gaze, of the gaze of broad and great wisdom, of the compassionate gaze and the gaze of good will, ever longed for, ever revered.
Unblemished, serene radiance, benevolent sun, dispelling all gloom, Avalokiteshvara can subdue the wind and fire of woes, clearly illuminating all the world. The precepts of compassion roar like thunder, the kind heart is wondrous as great clouds, pouring dharma rain of sweet dew, quenching all flames of troubling passion.
The wondrous voice of Avalokiteshvara, Brahma-voice, voice of the rolling tides, surpasses all sounds within the world; therefore, ever keep it in mind. In each thought, with never a doubt, Avalokiteshvara, the pure sage, in pain, agony, or death’s distress, can provide a sure support. Fully endowed with all virtues, her eyes of compassion behold all beings, assembling a boundless ocean of happiness; thus with reverence, you should make prostrations.”
Then Bodhisattva Dharanimdharo arose from his seat, went before the Buddha and said: “Oh World-honored One, if there are living beings who hear this chapter of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, the benefits will not be slight for those people who come to know her deeds, her manifestation of a universal gateway, and her supernatural powers.” When the Buddha had preached this “Universal Gateway” chapter, the 84,000 beings in the assembly all aroused the thought of unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment.