
Original Preface of the High King Sutra
True Buddha School's Great Reverence For the High King Sutra
The High King Avalokitesvara Sutra was once revealed by a great tathagata, who told a convicted criminal about the sutra. After hearing about this sutra from the tathagata, the prisoner chanted it and received an amazing spiritual response. As a result, the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra became widespread. It has been acknowledged as a genuine sutra which means it is an authentic transmission of the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions and three times.
When Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Grandmaster Sheng-yen Lu became enlightened and turned the dharma wheel for the first time, he realized that the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra has infinite, boundless, and incredible merit. This sutra was manifested by Guru Padmasambhava as an expedient means to deliver all sentient beings. It completely fulfills dharma marks and universally saves all sentient beings. It enables a perfect understanding of Sutrayana and Vajrayana teachings and it allows sentient beings to obtain great wisdom and achieve the indestructible vajra body. In addition to reciting the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra, if a practitioner also chants 108 recitations of the Six Syllable Mantra “om。ma-ni。pad-me。hum” and performs the Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara visualization practice, then 36 celestial deities will protect the practitioner day and night. All the ghosts and gods will respectfully obey the practitioner’s orders. The merit of reciting this sutra is truly infinite.
- The first scripture that I (Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu) received at the Jade Emperor Temple was the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra.
- The first scripture that I memorized completely was the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra.
- The first scripture from which I received spiritual response was the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra.
- The first scripture that I widely transmitted was the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra.
- I therefore state, ”The True Buddha School reveres the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra.”
I believe in the words written in this sutra: “One is liberated from the suffering of birth and death and freed from all poisonous physical and mental harm.” I therefore recited this sutra over a long period of time, and did indeed receive spiritual response.
- The High King Avalokitesvara Sutra has the purest dharma benefit.
- The High King Avalokitesvara Sutra is the most highly revered pure land of the buddha.
- The High King Avalokitesvara Sutra is the highest dharma banner.
- All disciples of the True Buddha School revere the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra.
Disciples should complete 1,000 recitations of this sutra, and continue to chant it throughout their lifetime. By reciting this sutra, one will transform into a pure land which is merged with oneself. One must treasure this sutra in one’s heart forever.
According to historical records, During the Xixia Dynasty, everyone recited the High King Sutra. At that time, the words ”Great White High Country” were engraved on the royal seal of the Xixia Dynasty. Emperors Jing Zhong, Ren Zhong and Mo Di of the Xixia Dynasty (Great White High Country) were all past reincarnations of Living Buddha Lian-sheng, Sheng-yen Lu.
Mr. Ding Fubao (editor of the Dictionary of Buddhist Studies) was a great master of Buddhism. He considered the High King Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to be the highest, the most superior, and supreme, like a king. Since there is no one higher than a king, this sutra is called the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra. This explanation was noted by Mr. Ding Fubao. Actually, Great White High Country was the High King Avalokitesvara Country created by the White Padmakumara.
I urge everyone to recite the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra not just 1,000 times but the more the better, because, by chanting the sutra, one creates an affinity with buddhas, bodhisattvas, and mahasattvas of the ten directions and three times. Consequently, one will attain enlightenment in the future.
In addition to reciting the Seven Buddhas Mantra to Extinguish Transgressions, one must also invoke the Eight Great Bodhisattvas. It is of utmost importance to invoke the Eight Great Bodhisattvas, therefore one must include this invocation.
~ Extract from the High King Avalokitesvara Dharma Character Treasury of True Buddha School transmitted by His Holiness Living Buddha Lian Sheng