XXV
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Soothill, William Edward and Kumārajīva
From his seat arises the Bodhisattva Infinite-Thought who, baring his right shoulder and folding his hands, asks the Buddha why the Bodhisattva Kwan-shi-yin is thus named, Regarder of the Cries of the World. The Buddha replies:
“If there be any who hold fast to the name of that Bodhisattva, Regarder-of-the-Cries-of-the-World, though they fall into a great fire, the fire will not be able to burn them, by virtue of the august supernatural power of that Bodhisattva. If any, carried away by a flood, call upon (his) name, they will immediately reach the shallows. If there be hundreds, thousands, myriads, kotis of beings, who in search of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, moon-stones, agate, coral, amber, pearls, and other treasures, go out on the ocean, and if a black gale blows their ships adrift upon the land of the Rakshasa-demons, and if amongst them there be even a single person who calls the name of the Bodhisattva Regarder-of-the-Cries-of-the-World, all those people will be delivered from the woes of the Rakshasas. It is for this cause that he is named Regarder-of-the-Cries-of-the-World.
“Or if any one cries who is in deadly peril by the sword, the sword will be snapped asunder. If wicked demons attack, the one who cries will become invisible to them. Whether guilty or innocent, if he cry, though loaded with manacles, fetters, cangues or chains, all will be broken and he will be set free. A train of jewel-merchants, passing along a road infested with robbers, have but to cry with one voice and they will be protected. Those possessed by carnal passions, anger, or infatuation have but to remember and revere this Bodhisattva and they will be set free. If a woman desires a son, worships and pays homage, she will bear a son, virtuous and wise; or if a daughter, then of good demeanour and looks.
“The merit attained by worship of other Bodhisattvas, in number as sands of sixty-two kotis of Ganges, just equals the merit of him who but for one moment worships the Regarder-of-the-Cries-of-the-World.”
This Bodhisattva appears to all according to their need. If needed as a Hinayana teacher, he appears as such; if as Brahma, or Indra, or Isvara, or a deva, a king, an elder, a citizen, an official, a brahman, a monk, nun, or male or female disciple, then he appears as such. If needed in the form of a wife of an elder, citizen, official or brahman, he appears as such; or if as a youth or maiden, he appears as such. If needed as a god, or a demon, he so appears. This is given in lengthy detail.
Kwan-yin, or Kwan-non, is to-day represented as a female Bodhisattva and by Europeans styled the Goddess of Mercy. She is addressed as “Most Merciful, Most Pitiful”. In reality Kwan-yin is above sex, and may be represented as male or female. Kwan-yin, this Sutra tells us, is the great Bestower of Fearlessness, relieving the fear of those who are in anxiety or distress.
From an A.D. 1681 facsimile of an A.D. 1331 edition of the illustrated Kuan-yin chapter of the Lotus Sutra
“Listen to the deeds of the Cry-Regarder,
Who well responds to every quarter;
Vast is his vow as deep the sea,
Age-long, and inconceivable.
. . . . .
Who hears his name and looks to him,
Unremittingly remembering him,
Will end the sorrows of existence.
Even though men with ill intent
Cast him into a burning pit,
Let him think of the Cry-Regarder
The very fire-pit becomes a pool;
Or, driven along a mighty ocean
In peril dire of dragons and demons,
Let him think of the Cry-Regarder
And ne’er will waves him overwhelm;
Or if, from lofty peak of Sumeru,
They should hurl him headlong down,
Let him think of the Cry-Regarder
And firm as the sun he is held in the sky.
. . . . .
If by incantations or poison
Any one seeks to hurt his body,
And he thinks of the Cry-Regarder,
All these ills revert to their author.
. . . . .
If, encompassed by evil beasts,
Sharp of tusk or cruel of claw,
He should think of the Cry-Regarder,
They will flee in every direction;
Or there be boas, vipers and scorpions,
Breathing poison as fire-flame scorching,
If he thinks of the Cry-Regarder,