Observations placeholder

The Lotus sutra – translated by Burton Watson

If living beings encounter weariness or peril,
immeasurable suffering pressing them down,
the power of the Perceiver of Sounds' wonderful wisdom
can save them from the sufferings of the world.

He is endowed with transcendental powers
and widely practices the expedient means of wisdom.

Throughout the lands in the ten directions
there is no region where he does not manifest himself.

In many different kinds of evil circumstances,
in the realms of hell, hungry spirits or beasts,
the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death-
all these he bit by bit wipes out.

He of the true gaze, the pure gaze,
the gaze of great and encompassing wisdom,
the gaze of pity, the gaze of compassion-
constantly we implore him, constantly look up in reverence.

His pure light, free of blemish,
is a sun of wisdom dispelling all darknesses.
He can quell the wind and fire of misfortune
and everywhere bring light to the world.

The precepts from his compassionate body shake us like thunder,
the wonder of his pitying mind is like a great cloud.

He sends down the sweet dew, the Dharma rain,
to quench the flames of earthly desires.

When law suits bring you before the officials,
when terrified in the midst of an army,
think on the power of that Perceiver of Sounds
and hatred in all its forms will be dispelled.

Wonderful sound, Perceiver of the World's Sounds,
Brahma's sound, the sea tide sound.