By Grand Master Sheng-Yen Lu. Translated by Janny Chow from pages 150—157 of Spiritual Warfare in Cultivation, the 44th book of Grand Master Lu, published in May, 1983, in Chinese.
A cultivator should uphold one sutra and one mantra throughout his lifetime, reciting them daily without interruption. If he can do this persistently, he will definitely receive spiritual responses.
Which sutra is the best?
Which mantra bestows the highest merit?
Someone posed these two questions to me. My reply was, “The one to which you are drawn is the best one for you. Mantras and sutras cannot be graded. One succeeds in the practice when one is able to turn the Dharma-wheel through reciting the mantra or sutra.”
My view is that both Mahayana and Hinayana sutras have merit; both long and short mantras have power in them. One’s sincerity and persistence are the determining factors. The recitation of sutras and mantras has incredible merit. All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas lend their assistance to living beings through the sutras and mantras, and mortals also receive protection from the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas through sutras and mantras.
I know that when one reaches the point of unification of body, speech, and mind during mantra or sutra recitation, the sound of the sutra or mantra is transformed into beams of spinning white light, which is emitted from the mouth, the crown of the head, and all the pores of the body, combining to form a brilliant light. When this light merges with the Buddha Light of the particular sutra or mantra, the Buddha or Bodhisattva can respond directly to the cultivator’s recitation.
The spinning of the white light is the turning of the Dharma wheel.
A person who recites a mantra or sutra to the point of turning the Dharma-wheel may be said to have transcended his or her mortal body. This person will be born as a lotus in the Western Paradise, attaining eternal life as a Buddha or Sage, and need never again endure the sufferings of reincarnations.
However, take care that the sutra or mantra is authentic and not fabricated. As long as the sutra or mantra is transmitted by Buddha Shakyamuni, Himself, or genuinely taught by other Buddhas and Immortals, it can be considered authentic, and be upheld with respect. Sutras or mantras fabricated by ordinary mortals should not be recited because the effort will be useless. This is a very important point. Do not waste precious time and energy in false sutras and mantras.
The High King Avalokitesvara Sutra, highly esteemed by the True Buddha School, was not transmitted by Buddha Shakyamuni, Himself but, rather, it was transmitted in a dream by an eminent monk who had attained the Way. I have inquired spiritually into the authenticity of this sutra and found that it, in addition to containing the true words of the enlightened monk, is indeed powerful spiritually. That is why I feel that if one recites the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra, one will obtain responses in a short time. It also leads to an understanding of the Truth and of personal cultivation, enabling one to attain future eternal life. This sutra is of the same importance as any Mahayana sutra and, therefore, it is my wish that all the True Buddha practitioners uphold and recite it.
Buddhists generally only consider the collected sutras transmitted by Buddha Shakyamuni to His disciples to be authentic and have considered other sutras as fabrications. Most of the self-composed sutras, “transmitted in dreams” or discovered “through channelling” are ignored. However, Buddhist cultivators make an exception of the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra. They do not reject this “dream-transmitted” sutra and, in fact, they are amazed at the number of Buddha names contained in the sutra as well as the many spiritual experiences associated with it. For this reason and because of my fondness for this sutra, I feel that it should not be neglected. I have thus respectfully printed tens of thousands of copies of this sutra for distribution. Not only True Buddha practitioners but, I hope, every one in this world will have a copy to recite and uphold and, hence, transform this world into a future, bright Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
In order to facilitate the spreading of this sutra, I am respectfully transcribing the original preface and sutra as follows:
(See here for the sutra text and preface; omitted here for brevity and readability)
Those who wish to recite the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra should take ablution first and cleanse their hands.
It is not necessary to recite the preface; the original text itself will do.
In general, the best location in which to recite the sutra is before the shrine, followed next by the study, or even in a neat and clean corner of the bedroom. (Pay respect to the sutra; do not recite it in any unclean place).
An incense stick should be lit. If it is not convenient to light the incense, joining the hands with the palms together is just as effective.
The reciter can choose to recite the sutra while standing up, sitting down, or kneeling.
The use of implements is optional.
The key is: one should be very sincere while reciting the sutra, either aloud or in silence, and focus the mind in total concentration. People with a greater vow may recite the sutra five times both in the morning and the evening (the more the better). People with a lesser vow may recite the sutra once each morning and evening. At times of crisis, when great help from the Bodhisattvas is needed, one can recite the sutra up to one hundred times each day; thus, over ten days, it is recited one thousand times. If one upholds the sutra with such persistence, I believe that spiritual responses will inevitably follow. Wishes will be fulfilled. The more confidence one has, the more one will succeed.
I first encountered the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra in a small temple in central Taiwan. The copy I saw was a deluxe edition. At that time the abbot of the temple was Reverend Si-hui-lin and he was acquainted with my parents. I asked him if I might take the copy home. Arriving home that night with the sutra, I had a dream. I dreamt of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, sitting on a lotus throne, delivering a speech in Dharma, and with such dignity that respect sprouted spontaneously in my heart.
Later, when I was studying the sutra in detail, wafts of floral fragrance floated in the air. At that time, I knew nothing about cultivation or spiritual activation, but learned later that such phenomena were natural because of the karma of my previous life.
In my early years, I studied land surveying and often had to go deep into the mountains and ask for lodging at a temple or at a local resident’s home. Before leaving for the surveying, and after coming back, I always recited the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra, once, respectfully. More than ten years have passed since then, and I still keep the practice, without a day’s interruption.
Later when I went on tours overseas and stayed in hotels, I would still, in early dawn while facing the outside through the hotel window, recite the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra. It was part of my daily practice while I travelled. I know that it is what my heart desires. I also know that Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva will protect me because I deeply believe that Buddhas do not lie.
Especially since my enlightenment and my beginning to turn the Dharma wheel, I realize that the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra has an amazing merit, immeasurable and boundless. It was manifested by the Great Avalokitesvara as a straightforward way to liberate living beings. This sutra encompasses every aspect of all phenomena and can deliver all sentient beings. This sutra is of both exoteric and esoteric merit.
Through it one obtains great wisdom, and achieves the vajra indestructible body.
If those who uphold the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra recite, in addition, the Six Syllable Mantra “Om mani padme hum” 108 times and, if they furthermore practice the visualization of the Four Arms Avalokitesvara Yoga, then there will be thirty-six devas guarding them day and night; all ghosts and deities will pay them respect. This sutra indeed contains immeasurable and boundless merits.