The Sutra of the Vast, Great, Perfect, Full Unimpeded Great Compassion Heart Dharani: 0 of 6

Buddhism is not a religion …
Buddhism is not a philosophy …
Buddhism is an education
And it’s not necessary to abandon
One’s nationality or religion to learn it.

Buddhism lets us know a
Clear understanding of the
Environment and ourselves
It allows a complete undertstanding
Of life and the universe.

Becoming an arahant is equivalent
To earning a bachelor degree.
Becoming a bodhisattva is
Equivalent to earning a master degree.
Becoming a Buddha is equivalent
To earning a Doctorate degree.”

Extract from speech
By Ven. Wu Ling
24th Oct 1998 in Singapore

The Sutra of the Vast, Great, Perfect, Full Unimpeded Great Compassion Heart Dharani: 1 of 7

Thus have I heard. At one time Shakyamuni Buddha dwelt in the jewel-adorned way-field in the palace of the One Who Regards the World’s Sounds, on Potala mountain.

The jeweled lion throne upon which he sat was adorned in purity with limitless varied colored mani-jewels, and a hundred jeweled banners hung suspended around it.

At that time, the Thus Come One, sitting upon his throne, was about to proclaim the uniting and holding Dharani. With him were numberless Bodhisattva, Mahasattvas, their names were: Uniting and Holding King Bodhisattva, Jewel King Bodhisattva, Medicine King Bodhisattva, Medicine Superior Bodhisattva, The Bodhisattva Who Regards the World’s Sounds, Great Strength Bodhisattva, Flower Adornment Bodhisattva, Great Adornment Bodhisattva, Jewel Treasury Bodhisattva, Virtue Treasury Bodhisattva, Vajra Treasury Bodhisattva, Empty Space Treasury Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva, Universal Worthy Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, and others such as these, all Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas, great Dharma Princes who had been anointed on the crown.

Also with him were limitless, numberless, great Sound Hearers, all practicing Arahatship at the Tenth Ground, Mahakashyapa was at their head.

Also with him were countless gods of the Brahma world. The Brahma Shan Cha was at their head.

Also with him were all the innumerable gods of the desire realm. The God Gopaka was at their head.

Also with him were guarding kings of the four directions from limitless worlds, Dhrtarashtra was at their head.

Also with him were countless gods, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas, people, non-people, and so forth. The Great Dragon King Heavenly Virtue was at their head.

Also with him were all the countless goddesses of the desire realm. The goddess Youthful Eye was at their head.

Also with him were countless empty space spirits, river and sea spirits, spring and fountain spirits, stream and pond spirits, medical herb spirits, tree and forest spirits, spirits of dwellings, water spirits, fire spirits, earth spirits, wind spirits, land spirits, mountain spirits, stone spirits, palace spirits, and so forth. All came and gathered together in the assembly.

The Sutra of the Vast, Great, Perfect, Full Unimpeded Great Compassion Heart Dharani: 2 of 7

At that time the Bodhisattva Who Regards the World’s Sounds, in the midst of the great assembly, secretly put forth spiritually penetrating bright light which brilliantly illuminated the fields of the ten directions and reached throughout three thousand great-thousand worlds, so that they were all colored gold.

All the heavenly palaces, dragon palaces, and all the venerable spirit palaces trembled. The large rivers, small rivers, and seas, Iron Mountain, Sumeru Mountain, Land Mountain, and Black Mountain also shook. The pearl fire of the sun and moon and the light of the constellations – all ceased to shine.

At the time Uniting and Holding King Bodhisattva, seeing this rare and unheard-of appearance, arose from his seat, joined his palms, and with a verse, asked the Buddha who is was who had put forth such an appearance of spiritual penetration.

The verse runs:

Who on this day has realized right enlightenment,
Putting forth such great brilliant light?
The fields of the ten directions are all colored gold,
And three thousand world systems are also shining,
Who on this day has attained comfort,
Diffusing spiritual powers, great and rare?
Boundless Buddhalands tremble and shake.
Dragon and spirit palaces are not a peace,
The entire assembly now holds doubts,
Not knowing whose power created these conditions.
Is it the Buddha, the Bodhisattvas, or the great Sound Hearers?
The Brahma gods, Mara gods, or Shakra perhaps?
We pray for the World Honored One’s great compassion,
To explain to us the cause of this spiritual penetration.

The Buddha told Uniting and Holding King Bodhisattva, “Good Man, you should all know that present in this assembly is a Bodhisattva, Mahasattva named The One Who Regards the World’s Sound in Comfort who, from the remotest past onwards has attained great kindness and compassion and who is fully able to practice the limitless Dharani-doors. Desiring to delight all beings and to make them peaceful, he secretly puts forth such great spiritual penetration power as this.”

The Sutra of the Vast, Great, Perfect, Full Unimpeded Great Compassion Heart Dharani: 3 of 7

After the Buddha had finished speaking, the Bodhisattva Who Regards the Sounds of the World then arose from his seat, arranged his robes, inclined his joined hands towards the Buddha and said, “World Honored One, I have a Great Compassion Dharani-Mantra which I now wish to speak so that all living beings might obtain peace and delight, be rid of every sickness, and attain long life; so that they might obtain prosperity, wipe away the evil Karma of heavy offenses, separate themselves from obstacles and hardships, grow in all the pure Dharmas and in every kind of merit and virtue; so that they might create only good roots, become separate from fear, and quickly fulfill all their longings. World Honored One, please be merciful and allow it to be heard.”

The Buddha said, “Good Man, your great compassion put living beings at ease. You wish to speak the spiritual mantra; now is the proper time. It is right and fitting that you speak it without delay. The World Honored One and all the Buddhas approve”.

The Bodhisattva Who Regards the World’s Sounds again addressed the Buddha, saying “World Honored One, I recall that in the past, uncountable millions of aeons ago, a Buddha named Thousand Ray King Who Dwells In Stillness Thus Come One appeared in the world. Out of pity for me and all living beings, that Buddha, the World Honored One, spoke this Vast, Great, Perfect, Full, Unimpeded, Great Compassion Heart Dharani. With his golden-colored hand he rubbed the crown of my head and spoke thus:

“Good man, you should now hold this heart mantra for the sake of all living beings in the evil times of the future, for it will cause them great benefit and delight.”

“I was then dwelling as a beginner at the First Ground, but upon once hearing this mantra, I ascended to the Eight Ground. At that time, because of the great joy in my heart, I made this vow:

“If, in the future, I am able to benefit living beings and make them happy, then may my body right now be complete with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes.”

“After making this vow, my body immediately was fully complete with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes. In the ten directions, the great earth tremble in six ways. A thousand Buddhas in the ten directions each emitted bright light which illuminated my body and the boundless worlds of the ten directions. From that time onwards, all beings in the places of the countless Buddhas and in limitless assemblies were able to hear, personally accept, and maintain this Dharani. There was happiness and dancing for joy without end as they transcended countless millions of aeons of subtle birth and death. From that time onwards, the mantra has been constantly recited and never forgotten.”

“Because one holds this mantra, one is always born in the presence of the Buddhas, one is born by transformation from a lotus, and is never born from a womb.”

The Sutra of the Vast, Great, Perfect, Full Unimpeded Great Compassion Heart Dharani: 4 of 7

“If there are Bhikshus, Bhikshunis, Upasakas, Upasikas, young men or young women who wish to recite and hold this mantra, and to bring forth a heart of great compassion for all beings, they should first follow me in making these vows:

Namo Compassionate One Who Regards the World’s Sounds,
May I quickly know all dharma.
Namo Compassionate One Who Regards the World’s Sounds,
May I soon attain the wisdom-eye,
Namo Compassionate One Who Regards the World’s Sounds,
May I quickly save all beings,
Namo Compassionate One Who Regards the World’s Sounds,
May I soon attain good skill-in-means,
Namo Compassionate One Who Regards the World’s Sounds,
May I quickly board the Prajna-boat,
Namo Compassionate One Who Regards the World’s Sounds,
May I soon get out of the sea of suffering,
Namo Compassionate One Who Regards the World’s Sounds,
May I quickly attain morality, Samadhi, and the Way.
Namo Compassionate One Who Regards the World’s Sounds,
May I soon ascend Nirvana Mountain.
Namo Compassionate One Who Regards the World’s Sounds,
May I quickly dwell in the unconditioned.
Namo Compassionate One Who Regards the World’s Sounds,
May I soon unite with the Dharma-nature body.
When I face the mountain of knives, the mountain of knives of itself breaks up;
When I face the boiling oil, the boiling old of itself dries up,
When I face the hells, the hells of themselves disappear,
When I face the hungry ghosts, the hungry ghosts of themselves are full,
When I face the asuras, their evil thoughts of themselves are tamed,
When I face the animals, they themselves attain great wisdom.


The Bodhisattva Who Regards the World’s Sound again addressed the Buddha, saying, “World Honored One, if humans and gods recite and hold the phrases of the Great Compassion Mantra, then when they approach the end of life, all the Buddhas of the ten directions will come to take them by the hand to rebirth in whatever Buddhaland they wish, according to their desire.”

He further said to the Buddha, “World Honored One, should any living being who recite and hold the spiritual mantra of Great Compassion fall into the three evil paths, I vow not to realize the right enlightenment. Should any living being who recite and hold the spiritual mantra of Great Compassion not be reborn in any Buddhaland, I vow not to realize the right enlightenment. Should any living being who recite and hold the spiritual mantra of Great Compassion not obtain unlimited samadhis and eloquence, I vow not to realize the right enlightenment. Should any living being who recite and hold the spiritual mantra of Great Compassion not obtain the fruits of whatever is sought in this very life, then he cannot have been making proper use of the Dharani of the Great Compassion Heart.”

The Sutra of the Vast, Great, Perfect, Full Unimpeded Great Compassion Heart Dharani: 5 of 7

He addressed the Buddha further, saying, “World Honored One, people and gods who recite and hold the Great Compassion Heart Mantra will obtain fifteen kinds of good birth and will not suffer fifteen kinds of bad death. The bad deaths are:

1. They will not die of starvation or privation.
2. They will not die from having yoked, imprisoned, caned or otherwise beaten.
3. They will not die at the hand of hostile enemies.
4. They will not be killed in military battle.
5. They will not be killed by tigers, wolves, or other evils beasts.
6. They will not die from venom of poisonous snakes, black serpents, or scorpions.
7. They will not drown or be burned to death.
8. They will not be poisoned to death.
9. They will not die as a result of sorcery.
10. They will not die of madness or insanity.
11. They will not be killed by landslides or falling trees.
12. They will not die of nightmares sent by evil people.
13. They will not be killed by deviant spirit or evil ghosts.
14. They will not die of evil illnesses which bind the body.
15. They will not commit suicide.

“Those who recite and hold the spiritual mantra of Great Compassion will not suffer any of these fifteen kinds of bad death and will obtain the following fifteen kinds of good birth:

1. Their place of birth will always have a good king.
2. They will always be born in a good country.
3. They will always be born at a good time.
4. They will always meet good friends.
5. The organs of their body will always be complete.
6. Their heart will be pure and full in the way.
7. They will not violate the prohibitive percepts.
8. Their family will be kind and harmonious.
9. They will always have the necessary wealth and goods in abundance.
10. They will always obtain the respect and help of others.
11. Their riches will not be plundered.
12. They will obtain everything they seek.
13. Dragons, gods, and good spirits will always protect them.
14. In the place where they are born they will see the Buddha and hear the Dharma.
15. They will awaken to the profound meaning of the Proper Dharma which they hear.

“Those who recite and hold the Great Compassion Heart Dharani will obtain these fifteen kinds of good birth. All gods and people should constantly recite and hold it, without carelessness.”

The Sutra of the Vast, Great, Perfect, Full Unimpeded Great Compassion Heart Dharani: 6 of 7

After speaking these words before the assembly, the Bodhisattva Who Regards the World’s Sounds put his palms together, stood upright, and brought forth a heart of great compassion for all beings. He beamed, smiled and thus spoke the spiritually wonderful phrases of the Dharani of Great Compassion, perfect, unimpeded, vast, and great. The Dharani runs like this”

1. na mwo he la da now la ye ye
2. na mwo e li ye
3. pwo lu jye di shau bwo la ye
4. pu ti sa two pe ye
5. mwo he sa two pe ye
6. mwo he jya lu ni jya ye
7. nan
8. sa pan la fa ye
9. swo da now da sye
10. na mwo syi ji li two yi meng e li ye
11. pe lu ji di shr fwo la leng two pe
12. na mwo nwo la jin chr
13. syi li mwo he pan dwo sa mye
14. sa pe e two dou shu peng
15. e shr yun
16. sa pe sa dwo na mwo pe sa dwo na mwo pe chye
17. mwo fa te dou
18. da jr two
19. nan e pe lu syi
20. lu jya di
21. jya la di
22. yi syi li
23. mwo he pu ti sa two
24. sa pe sa pe
25. mwo la mwo la
26. mwo syi mwo syi li two yun
27. jyu lu jyu lu jye meng
28. du lu du lu fa she ye di
29. mwo he fa she ye di
30. two la two la
31. di li ni
32. shr fwo la ye
33. je la je la
34. mwo mwo fa mwo la
35. mu di li
36. yi syi yi syi
37. shr now shr now
38. e la shen fwo la she li
39. fa sha f ashen
40. fwo la she ye
41. hu lu hu lu mwo la
42. hu lu hu lu syi li
43. swo la swo la
44. syi li syi li
45. su lu su lu
46. pu ti ye pu ti ye
47. pu two ye pu two ye
48. mi di li ye
49. now la jin chr
50. di li shai ni now
51. pe ye mwo nwo
52. swo pe he
53. syi two ye
54. swo pe he
55. mwo he syi two ye
56. swo pe he
57. syi two yu yi
58. shr pan la ye
59. swo pe hi
60. nwo la jin chr
61. swo pe he
62. mwo la now la
63. swo pe he
64. syi lu seng e mu chywe ye
65. swo pe he
66. swo pe mwo he e syi two ye
67. swo pe he
68. je ji la e syi two ye
69. swo pe he
70. bwo two mwo jye syi two ye
71. swo pe he
72. now la jin chr pan chye la ye
73. swo pe he
74. mwo pe li sheng jya la ye
75. swo pe he
76. na mwo he la da now dwo la ye ye
77. na mwo e li ye
78. pwo lu ji di
79. shau pan la ye
80. swo pe he
81. nan syi dyan du
82. man dwo la
83. ba two de
84. swo pe he

The Sutra of the Vast, Great, Perfect, Full Unimpeded Great Compassion Heart Dharani: 7 of 7

When the Bodhisattva Who Regards the World’s Sounds had finished speaking this Mantra, the great earth trembled and moved in six ways. The heavens rained forth jeweled flowers, which fell in colorful profusion. All the Buddhas of the ten directions were delighted, while the heavenly demons and externalists were so afraid, their hair stood on end. Everyone in the entire assembly certified to the result. Some won the result of stream-winner, some won the result of a once-returner, some won the result of a never-returner, some won the result of an arhat. Others attained to the first ground of a Bodhisattva, the second, third, fourth and fifth ground, even up to the tenth Bodhisattva ground. Countless living beings brought forth the Bodhi heart.

Om Mani Padme Hum

Lecture given by Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua Translated by BTTS, USA

These six characters together make up the Six Character Bright Mantra, each one individually is able to emit brilliant light.

The first character is “nan (Sanskrit: OM)”. When you recite “nan” once, all ghosts and spirits must place their palms together. Why do they put their palms together? To maintain the rules and regulations. Conforming to the regulations, they follow the correct way. Recite this one character and all ghosts and spirits do not dare rebel and create confusion; they do not dare disobey orders.

This is the first sound in the Mantra “Ma ni (Sanskrit:Mani)” means “silent wisdom”. Using wisdom one is able to understand all principles, and thus is able to silently extinguished without production. It is also defined as “separating from filth” which means leaving all dust and filth. It can be compared to the “precious as-you-will pearl” which is extremely pure, with no defilement. Whatever excellence you wish to bring forth, if you have the “precious as-you-will pearl” it can be done. It can also fulfill your wishes accord with your thoughts. Every vow you make will be fulfilled. These are its benefits.

“Pa mi (Sanskirt: Padme)” actually should read “pa t’e mi. It means “light perfectly illuminating” and is also defined as “the opening of the lotus.” It is analogous to the wonderful lotus flower which is complete, perfect and fulfill without obstruction. It is the wonderful mind of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. This is “pa mi”.

Next comes “hung (Sanskrit: hum)” which means “put forth”. Anything at all can be born from this character “hung”. It also means ‘to protect and support’. Recite this character and all Dharma protectors and good spirits come to support and protect you. It also means ‘eradicating disasters”. Recite this character and whatever difficulties there are will be eradicated. It also means ‘success’ whatever you cultivate can be accomplished.

Recite the Six Character Great Bright Mantra once, and the immeasurable Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Vajra Dharma protectors constantly support and protect you. Therefore, when Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva finished saying this Six Character Great Bright Mantra, seven million Buddhas came to support, protect, and surround him. The strength and ability of the Six Character Great Bright Mantra are inconceivable, the intertwining of the response and way unimaginable, therefore it is called the Secret School. If one were to explain in details, the meanings would be immeasurable and unlimited, they cannot be completely spoken.

OM MANI PADME HUM

The Six Character True Words (OM MANI PADME HUM) also known as the Six Character Great Bright Mantra, is the profound, wonderful, original heart (mind) of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (the Bodhisattva Who Observes the World’s Sound). Its merits and virtue are immeasurable, limitless and inconceivable. If one were to uphold the recitation of the Six Character True Words, regardless of one’s whereabouts, one will be protected by all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas as well as gods, dragons and others of the eightfold division. It is able to cut off one’s ignorance and open up one’s wisdom; subdue demons and heal illnesses; dispel calamities and lengthens life, bestow immeasurable blessings and wisdom, and gain profound tranquility. It can save and alleviate hundreds and thousands of suffering and difficulty.

Immeasurable aeons ago, after becoming a Buddha, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara was known as the Tathagata Who Clearly Understands the True Law. To accomplish his perfection of Bodhisattvahood, withgreat compassionate vow power, he swore a deep magnificent vow to universally save and enlighten all living beings everywhere throughout the world in the ten directions.

Therefore, if one were to hear the name of Avalokitesvara and mindfully chant his name (NAMO GUAN SHI YIN PU SA), all suffering and adversity could be alleviated. Being mindful of his name as well as his compassion and kindness, one should bring forth the resolve with a sincere heart to worship and make offerings, and constantly upholding the recitation of the Bodhisattva’s name. Unlimited offences will be eradicated and one will receive immeasurable blessings. If one were to transfer one’s merits and virtue accrued from one’s cultivation, and vow to be reborn in Amitabha’s Land of Ultimate Bliss, at the end of one’s life one will be reborn according to one’s vow. Henceforth, transcending birth and death; be eternally liberated from the wheel of transmigration; forthwith accomplish Buddhahood and immediately obtain the perfect unsurpassed Bodhi. Whether one recites the Bodhisattva’s name or recites the Bodhisattva’s Six Character True Words, the merits and virtue are level and equal.

Now, one has met this extremely difficult and rare superior cause (affinity) to be able to hear the Bodhisattva’s Six Character True Words, His sacred name as well as its merits and virtue, how could one not befittingly rejoice and cherish it. With sincerity and gratitude, one should be glad to believe and receive it; and if one could observe and practice in accordance with the teachings, one could personally obtain unlimited benefit.

Lotus Sutra

“At the time the Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Mind (Aksayamati) straightaway rose from his seat and, baring his right shoulder and facing the Buddha with palms joined, said “O World Honored One! For what reason is the Bodhisattva ‘He who observes the sounds of the world (Avalokitesvara) called observer of the sounds of the world?”

The Buddha declared to the Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Mind “Good man, if in calculable hundreds of thousand of myriads of millions of living beings, suffering pain and torment, hear of this Bodhisattva ‘He who observes the sounds of the world’ and single-mindedly call upon his name, the Bodhisattva He who observes the sounds of the world shall straight away heed their voices, and all shall gain deliverance.”