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The High King Avalokitesvara Sutra

Sincerely invoke the Eight Great Bodhisattvas:

• Namo Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
• Namo Maitreya Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
• Namo Akasagarbha Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
• Namo Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
• Namo Vajrapani Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
• Namo Manjusri Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
• Namo Nivaranaviskambin [Hindrance Removing] Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
• Namo Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
• Namo all venerable Bodhisattva Mahasattvas.

Avalokitesvara bodhisattva.
Homage to the Buddhas,
Homage to the Dharma,
Homage to the Sangha,

An affinity with the Pure Lands opens the Dharma Doors,
By engaging permanence, bliss identity and purity, one is blessed with the Dharma

Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a great spiritual mantra.
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a great wisdom mantra.
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a supreme mantra.
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, an unequalled mantra.

Namo the Pure Light Secret Buddha,
the Dharma Treasury Buddha,
the Tranquil King Buddha with Lion's roar and divine speed,
the Sumeru Light King Buddha announced by Buddha,
the Dharma Protector Buddha,
the Vajra Treasury Roaming Lion Buddha,
the Precious Victory Buddha,
the Supernatural Power Buddha,
the Medicine Crystal Light King Buddha,
the Universal Light Merit Mountain King Buddha,
the Merit Retaining jewel King Buddha,
the Seven Past Buddhas,
the Future Thousand Buddhas of this fortunate eon,
the Fifteen Hundred Buddhas,
the Fifteen Thousand Buddhas,
the Five Hundred Flower Victory Buddhas,
the Ten Billion Vajra Treasury Buddhas,
and the Fixed Light Buddha,

The Buddhas of Six Directions:

To the East the Precious Light Moon Palace Venerable Wonderful Voice King Buddha,
to the South the Tree-Root Flower King Buddha,
to the West the Spiritual Power Flower Blazing King Buddha,
to the North the Moon Palace Purity Buddha,
Above, the countless Vigor jewel Crown Buddhas,
Below, the Tranquil Moon Sound King Buddha.

All the countless buddhas,
Many Jewels Buddha,
Shakyamuni Buddha,
Maitreya Buddha,
Akshobhya Buddha,
Amitabha Buddha.

All beings in the Central Realm,
and those in the Pure Lands,
while moving upon the Earth and through the Heavens,
shower limitless compassion upon all living beings,
affording them equanimity and peace,
that they might cultivate day and night.

By constantly invoking this sutra,
one is liberated from the suffering of birth and death, and freed from all the many kinds of suffering.

Homage to the Great Wisdom Avalokitesvara,
the Observant Avalokitesvara,
the Noble Avalokitesvara,
the Expansively-Minded Avalokitesvara,
the Medicine King Bodhisattva,
the Supreme Medicine Bodhisattva,
Manjusri Bodhisattva,
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva,
Akasagarbha Bodhisattva,
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva,
the billions of Clear Cool Treasure Mountain Bodhisattvas,
the Universal Light Venerable King Tathagata Bodhisattva.

Chanting this sutra continually, the Seven World-Honored Buddhas recite this mantra:

Lee-poh-lee-poh-deh, kyo-ho-kyo-ho-deh,
toh-loh-nee-deh, nee-ah-la-deh,
pee-lee-nee-deh, mo-ho-kya-deh,
jen-len-chen deh, so-ha (recite this mantra 7 times)

Avalokitesvaras of the ten directions
and all bodhisattvas
have vowed to save sentient beings.

All beings will be liberated when calling their names.

To ones with wisdom
expounds it diligently.

One with the affinity,
recite it at all times.

Recite the sutra 1,000 times
and keep it in mind constantly.

Flame cannot harm one.

Knives and weapons will break instantly.

Turn anger to happiness.

Change death into life.

Do not say these are false.

The words of the buddhas are not fabricated.

High King Avalokitesvara
can alleviate sufferings.

Faced with a fatal crisis,
the doomed shall live,

The words of buddhas are always true
and therefore we pay homage to the buddhas.

By reciting it 1000 times
all one's heaviest sins shall be eradicated.

Those with great merit and unwavering faith
single-mindedly chant the sutra.

Dedicate the merit
to the entire universe.

Recite 1,000 times.

All one's heaviest sins shall be eradicated.

The end of the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra.

高王觀世音經
Gāo wáng guānshìyīn jīng
The High King Avalokitesvara Sutra

奉請八大菩薩：
Fèng qǐng bā dà pú sà:
Sincerely invoke the Eight Great Bodhisattvas:

南摩觀世音菩薩摩訶薩。
Nán mó guān shì yīn pú sà mó hē sà.
Namo Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva,

南摩彌勒菩薩摩訶薩。
Nán mó mí lè pú sà mó hē sà.
Namo Maitreya Bodhisattva Mahasattva,

南摩虛空藏菩薩摩訶薩。
Nán mó xū kōng cáng pú sà mó hē sà.
Namo Akasagarbha Bodhisattva Mahasattva,

南摩普賢菩薩摩訶薩。
Nán mó pǔ xián pú sà mó hē sà.
Namo Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Mahasattva,

南摩金剛手菩薩摩訶薩。
Nán mó jīn gāng shǒu pú sà mó hē sà.
Namo Vajrapani Bodhisattva Mahasattva,

南摩妙吉祥菩薩摩訶薩。
Nán mó miào jí xiáng pú sà mó hē sà.
Namo Manjusri Bodhisattva Mahasattva,

南摩除蓋障菩薩摩訶薩。
Nán mó chú gài zhàng pú sà mó hē sà.
Namo Nivaranaviskambin [Hindrance Removing] Bodhisattva Mahasattva,

南摩地藏王菩薩摩訶薩。
Nán mó di cáng wáng pú sà mó hē sà.
Namo Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Mahasattva,

南摩諸尊菩薩摩訶薩。
Nán mó zhū zūn pú sà mó hē sà.
Namo all venerable Bodhisattva Mahasattvas.

觀世音菩薩。
Guān shì yīn pú sà.
Avalokitesvara bodhisattva.

南摩佛。
Nán mó fó.
Homage to the Buddhas,

南摩法。
Nán mó fǎ.
Homage to the Dharma,

南摩僧。
Nán mó sēng.
Homage to the Sangha,

佛國有緣。佛法相因。
fó guó yǒu yuán. fó fǎ xiāng yīn.
An affinity with the Pure Lands opens the Dharma Doors,

常樂我淨。有緣佛法。
Cháng lè wǒ jìng. Yǒu yuán fó fǎ.
By engaging permanence, bliss identity and purity, one is blessed with the Dharma

南摩摩訶般若波羅蜜。是大神咒。
Nán mó mó hē bō rě bō luó mì. Shì dà shén zhòu.
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a great spiritual mantra.

南摩摩訶般若波羅蜜。是大明咒。
Nán mó mó hē bō rě bō luó mì. Shì dà míng zhòu.
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a great wisdom mantra.

南摩摩訶般若波羅蜜。是無上咒。
Nán mó mó hē bō rě bō luó mì. Shì wú shàng zhòu.
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a supreme mantra.

南摩摩訶般若波羅蜜。是無等等咒。
Nán mó mó hē bō rě bō luó mì. Shì wú děng děng zhòu.
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, an unequalled mantra.

南摩淨光祕密佛。
Nán mó jìng guāng mì mì fó.
Namo the Pure Light Secret Buddha,

法藏佛。
Fǎ cáng fó.
the Dharma Treasury Buddha,

獅子吼神足幽王佛。
Shī zihǒu shén zú yōu wáng fó.
the Tranquil King Buddha with Lion's roar and divine speed,

佛告須彌燈王佛。
Fú gào xū mí dēng wáng fó.
the Sumeru Light King Buddha announced by Buddha,

法護佛。
Fǎ hù fó.
the Dharma Protector Buddha,

金剛藏獅子遊戲佛。
Jīn gāng cáng shī zǐ yóu xì fó.
the Vajra Treasury Roaming Lion Buddha,

寶勝佛。
Bǎo shèng fó.
the Precious Victory Buddha,

神通佛。
Shén tōng fó.
the Supernatural Power Buddha,

藥師琉璃光王佛。
Yào shī liú lí guāng wáng fó.
the Medicine Crystal Light King Buddha,

普光功德山王佛。
Pǔ guāng gōng dé shān wáng fó.
the Universal Light Merit Mountain King Buddha,

善住功德寶王佛。
Shàn zhù gōng dé bǎo wáng fó.
the Merit Retaining jewel King Buddha,

過去七佛。
Guò qù qī fó.
the Seven Past Buddhas,

未來賢劫千佛。
Wèi lái xián jié qiān fó.
the Future Thousand Buddhas of this fortunate eon,

千五百佛。
Qiān wǔ bǎi fó.
the Fifteen Hundred Buddhas,

萬五千佛。
Wàn wǔ qiān fó.
the Fifteen Thousand Buddhas,

五百花勝佛。
Wǔ bǎi huā shèng fó.
the Five Hundred Flower Victory Buddhas,

百億金剛藏佛。
Bǎi yì jīn gāng cáng fó.
the Ten Billion Vajra Treasury Buddhas,

定光佛。
Dìng guāng fó.
and the Fixed Light Buddha,

六方六佛名號。
Liù fāng liù fó míng hào.
The Buddhas of Six Directions:

東方寶光月殿月妙尊音王佛。
Dōng fāng bǎo guāng yuè diàn yuè miào zūn yīn wáng fó.
To the East the Precious Light Moon Palace Venerable Wonderful Voice King Buddha,

南方樹根花王佛。
Nán fāng shù gēn huā wáng fó.
to the South the Tree-Root Flower King Buddha,

西方皂王神通焰花王佛。
Xī fāng zào wáng shén tōng yàn huā wáng fó.
to the West the Spiritual Power Flower Blazing King Buddha,

北方月殿清淨佛。
Běi fāng yuè diàn qīng jìng fó.
to the North the Moon Palace Purity Buddha,

上方無數精進寶首佛。
Shàng fāng wú shù jīng jìn bǎo shǒu fó.
Above, the countless Vigor jewel Crown Buddhas,

下方善寂月音王佛。
Xià fāng shàn jì yuè yīn wáng fó.
Below, the Tranquil Moon Sound King Buddha.

無量諸佛。
Wú liàng zhū fó.
All the countless buddhas,

多寶佛。
Duō bǎo fó.
Many Jewels Buddha,

釋迦牟尼佛。
Shì jiā móu ní fó.
Shakyamuni Buddha,

彌勒佛。
Mí lè fó.
Maitreya Buddha,

阿閦佛。
Ā chù fó.
Akshobhya Buddha,

彌陀佛。
Mí tuó fó.
Amitabha Buddha.

中央一切眾生。
Zhōng yāng yī qiè zhòng shēng.
All beings in the Central Realm,

在佛世界中者。
Zài fó shì jiè zhōng zhě.
and those in the Pure Lands,

行住於地上。及在虛空中。
Xíng zhù yú dì shàng. Jí zài xū kōng zhōng.
while moving upon the Earth and through the Heavens,

慈憂於一切眾生。
Cí yōu yú yī qiè zhòng shēng.
shower limitless compassion upon all living beings,

各令安穩休息。
Gè lìng ān wěn xiū xí.
affording them equanimity and peace,

晝夜修持。
Zhòu yè xiū chí.
that they might cultivate day and night.

心常求誦此經。
Xīn cháng qiú sòng cǐ jīng.
By constantly invoking this sutra,

能滅生死苦。消除諸毒害。
Néng miè shēng sǐ kǔ. Xiāo chú zhū dú hài.
one is liberated from the suffering of birth and death, and freed from all the many kinds of suffering.

南摩大明觀世音。
Nán mó dà míng guān shì yīn.
Homage to the Great Wisdom Avalokitesvara,

觀明觀世音。
Guān míng guān shì yīn.
the Observant Avalokitesvara,

高明觀世音。
Gāo míng guān shì yīn.
the Noble Avalokitesvara,

開明觀世音。
Kāi míng guān shì yīn.
the Expansively-Minded Avalokitesvara,

藥王菩薩。
Yào wáng pú sà.
the Medicine King Bodhisattva,

藥上菩薩。
Yào shàng pú sà.
the Supreme Medicine Bodhisattva,

文殊師利菩薩。
Wén shū shī lì pú sà.
Manjusri Bodhisattva,

普賢菩薩。
Pǔ xián pú sà.
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva,

虛空藏菩薩。
Xū kōng cáng pú sà.
Akasagarbha Bodhisattva,

地藏王菩薩。
Di cáng wáng pú sà.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva,

清涼寶山億萬菩薩。
Qīng liáng bǎo shān yì wàn pú sà.
the billions of Clear Cool Treasure Mountain Bodhisattvas,

普光王如來化勝菩薩。
Pǔ guāng wáng rú lái huà shèng pú sà.
the Universal Light Venerable King Tathagata Bodhisattva.

念念誦此經。七佛世尊。即說咒曰：
Niàn niàn sòng cǐ jīng. Qī fó shì zūn. Jí shuō zhòu yuē:
Chanting this sutra continually, the Seven World-Honored Buddhas recite this mantra:

「離婆離婆帝。求訶求訶帝。
`Lí pó lí pó dì. Qiú hē qiú hē dì.
Lee-poh-lee-poh-deh, kyo-ho-kyo-ho-deh,

陀羅尼帝。尼訶囉帝。
Tuó luó ní dì. Ní hē luō dì.
toh-loh-nee-deh, nee-ah-la-deh,

毘黎你帝。摩訶伽帝。
Pí lí nǐ dì. Mó hē jiā dì.
pee-lee-nee-deh, mo-ho-kya-deh,

真陵乾帝。梭哈。」（咒七遍）
Zhēn líng qián dì. Suō hā. (Zhòu qī biàn)
jen-len-chen deh, so-ha (recite this mantra 7 times)

十方觀世音。
Shí fāng guān shì yīn.
Avalokitesvaras of the ten directions

一切諸菩薩。
Yī qiè zhū pú sà.
and all bodhisattvas

誓願救眾生。
Shì yuàn jiù zhòng shēng.
have vowed to save sentient beings.

稱名悉解脫。
Chēng míng xī jiě tuō.
All beings will be liberated when calling their names.

若有智慧者。
Ruò yǒu zhì huì zhě.
To ones with wisdom

殷勤為解說。
Yīn qín wèi jiě shuō.
expounds it diligently.

但是有因緣。
Dàn shì yǒu yīn yuán.
One with the affinity,

讀誦口不輟。
Dú sòng kǒu bù chuò.
recite it at all times.

誦經滿千遍。
Sòng jīng mǎn qiān biàn.
Recite the sutra 1,000 times

念念心不絕。
Niàn niàn xin bù jué.
and keep it in mind constantly.

火焰不能傷。
Huǒ yàn bù néng shāng.
Flame cannot harm one.

刀兵立摧折。
Dāo bīng lì cuī zhé.
Knives and weapons will break instantly.

恚怒生歡喜。
Huì nù shēng huān xǐ.
Turn anger to happiness.

死者變成活。
Sǐ zhě biàn chéng huó.
Change death into life.

莫言此是虛。
Mò yán cǐ shì xū.
Do not say these are false.

諸佛不妄說。
Zhū fó bù wàng shuō.
The words of the buddhas are not fabricated.

高王觀世音。
Gāo wáng guān shì yīn.
High King Avalokitesvara

能救諸苦厄。
Néng jiù zhū kǔ è.
can alleviate sufferings.

臨危急難中。
Lín wéi jínàn zhōng.
Faced with a fatal crisis,

死者變成活。
Sǐzhě biànchéng huó.
the doomed shall live,

諸佛語不虛。
Zhū fó yǔ bù xū.
The words of buddhas are always true

是故應頂禮。
Shì gù yīng dǐng lǐ.
and therefore we pay homage to the buddhas.

持誦滿千遍。
Chí sòng mǎn qiān biàn.
By reciting it 1000 times

重罪皆消滅。
Zhòng zuì jiē xiāo miè.
all one's heaviest sins shall be eradicated.

厚福堅信者。
Hòu fú jiān xìn zhě.
Those with great merit and unwavering faith

專攻受持經。
Zhuān gōng shòu chí jīng.
single-mindedly chant the sutra.

願以此功德。
Yuàn yǐ cǐ gōng dé.
Dedicate the merit

普及於一切。
Pǔ jí yú yī qiè.
to the entire universe.

誦滿一千遍。
Sòng mǎn yī qiān biàn.
Recite 1,000 times.

重罪皆消滅。
Zhòng zuì jiē xiāo miè.
All one's heaviest sins shall be eradicated.

高王觀世音經　終。
Gāo wáng guān shì yīn jīng zhōng
The end of the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra.

High King Avalokitesavara (Guanyin) Sutra:

Invocation of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Mahasattvas)

Namo Avalokitesvara Mahasattva
Namo Maitreya Mahasattva
Namo Akasagarbha Mahasattva
Namo Samantabhadra Mahasattva
Namo Vajrapani Mahasattva
Namo Manjusri Mahasattva
Namo Viskambhin Mahasattva
Namo Ksitigarbha Mahasattva
Namo all bodhisattvas and mahasattvas.

Homage to Avalokitesavara Bodhisattva
Namo Buddha ya
Namo Dharma ya
Namo Sangha ya

An affinity with the pureland
opens the dharma doors.
The [true] “self’ is permanent, blissful, and pure,
and blessed with the buddhadharma.

Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a great divine mantra

Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a great spiritual mantra

Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, a supreme mantra

Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, an unequalled mantra

Namo the Pure Light Secret Buddha
the Dharma Treasury Buddha
the Tranquil King Buddha with Lion’s Roar and Divine Speed
the Sumeru Light King Buddha Announced by Buddha
the Dharma Protector Buddha
the Vajra Treasury Roaming Lion Buddha
the Precious Victory Buddha
the Supernatural Power Buddha
the Medicine Lapiz Lazuli Light King Buddha
the Universal Light Merit Mountain King Buddha
the Merit Retaining Jewel King Buddha
the Seven Past Buddhas
the Future Thousand Buddhas of This Fortunate Eon
the Fifteen Hundred Buddhas
the Fifteen Thousand Buddhas
the Five Hundred Flower Victory Buddhas
the Billion Vajra Treasury Buddhas
and the Fixed Light Buddha.

The Buddhas of Six Directions:
To the East, the Precious Light Moon Palace Venerable Wonderful Voice King Buddha
to the South, the Tree-Root Flower King Buddha
to the West, the Spiritual Power Flower Blazing King Buddha
to the North, the Moon Palace Purity Buddha
above, the Countless Vigor Jewel Crown Buddhas
below, the Tranquil Moon Sound King Buddha.

All the Countless Buddhas
Many Jewels Buddha
Sakyamuni Buddha
Maitreya Buddha
Aksobhya Buddha
Amitabha Buddha.

All beings in the Central Realm,
and those in the buddhaverses,
while moving upon the Earth
and through the Heavens,
shower limitless compassion upon all living beings,
affording them stability and peace,
that they might cultivate day and night.
By constantly invoking this sutra,
one is liberated from the suffering of birth and dying,
and freed from all kinds of suffering.

Namo the Great Wisdom Avalokitesvara
the Observant Avalokitesvara
the Noble Avalokitesvara
the Expansively-Minded Avalokitesvara
the Medicine King Bodhisattva
the Medicine Lord Bodhisattva
Manjusri Bodhisattva
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
Akasagarbha Bodhisattva
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
the Billions of Clear Cool Treasure Mountain Bodhisattvas
the Universal Light Venerable King Tathagata Bodhisattva.
Chanting this sutra continually, the Seven World-Honored Buddhas proclaim this mantra:

li po li po di, qiu he qiu he di, tuo luo ni di, ni he la di, bi li ni di, mo he qie di, zhen ling qian di, suo ha (7x)

Merit Dedication

The Avalokitesvaras in the ten directions and all bodhisattvas vow to save sentient beings.

Calling upon their names allows for liberation.
The wise ones expound it diligently,
and those with affinity constantly recite it.

With a thousand recitations and
constant mindfulness of it,
fire causes no harm,
knives and weapons break instantly,
anger turns into joy,
and death revives.

Never be doubtful,
for the buddhas always speak the truth.
High King Avalokitesvara
alleviates all sufferings.
Faced with a fatal crisis,
the doomed shall live.

The words of the buddhas are always true;
thus they deserve our homage.
With a thousand recitations,
grave karma shall be eradicated.

Those with great merit and unwavering faith
single-mindedly chant this sutra and
dedicate its merit to all.
One thousand recitations
will eradicate grave karma.
This concludes the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra.

True Buddha School students will know that dharma sister Hanifa is the live translator for His Holiness Living Buddha Lian Sheng‘s dharma teachings. During group practice sessions, this means reciting the High King Sutra in English at high speed to keep up with the group saying it in Chinese! During these sessions, she uses this translation which is optimised for speed.

Like with the other translations of the High King Sutra shared on this site, this variation translation offers many interesting meanings that are true to the Chinese original. Translating the Chinese into English normally means that only parts of the meaning can be expressed, hence it is wonderful to see a collection of competent translations side by side for comparison. All are valid and you can choose whichever you wish to be your practice version. 

Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara

Homage to the Buddhas

Homage to the Dharma

Homage to the Sangha

I have an affinity with the Buddha-lands

And I connect with the Buddha-Dharma

to attain Eternity, Happiness, True Self and Purity

This is the Buddha-Dharma that I have an affinity with:

Namo Maha Prajna Paramita

Is a great divine mantra

Namo Maha Prajna Paramita

Is a great illuminating mantra

Namo Maha Prajna Paramita

Is an unsurpassed mantra.

Namo Maha Prajna Paramita

Is an unequalled mantra.

Namo Pure Light Secret Buddha,

The Dharma Treasury Buddha,

The Tranquil King of the Lion’s Roar and Divine Feet Buddha,

The Buddha’s Proclaimed King of Sumeru Light Buddha,

The Dharma Protector Buddha,

The Vajra Treasury Lion’s Recreation Buddha,

The Jeweled Victory Buddha,

The Divine Powers Buddha,

The Medicine Physician of the King of Lapis Lazuli Light Buddha,

The Mountain King of Universal Light and Merits Buddha,

The Jeweled King of Accomplished Abiding in Merits Buddha,

the Past Seven Buddhas,

the Thousand Buddhas of the Wise Kalpa in the future,

the Fifteen Hundred Buddhas,

the Fifteen Thousand Buddhas,

the Five Hundred Flower Victory Buddhas,

the Ten of Billions of Vajra Treasury Buddhas,

the Steady Light Buddha,

the name of six Buddhas in the six directions:

the Jeweled Light Moon Palace Wonderful Moon King of Glorious Music Buddha of the East,

the Tree-Root King of Flower Buddha of the South,

the King of Ebony Divine Powers King of Blazing Flower Buddha of the West,

the Moon Palace Purity Buddha of the North,

the Innumerable Vigorous Jeweled Crown Buddhas in the top realm,

the Accomplished in Tranquility King of Moon Music Buddha in the bottom realm.

Immeasurable Buddhas,

Abundant Treasures Buddha,

Shakyamuni Buddha,

Maitreya Buddha,

Akshobhya Buddha,

Amitabha Buddha.

For all beings living in the middle realm,

beings residing in the midst of the Buddha-worlds,

beings who walk and live on the grounds,

as well as those in mid-air,

I shower loving-kindness and compassion upon all living beings,

so as to bring them peace, stability, and respite.

If you practice day and night,

always reciting this sutra in your heart,

you will be liberated from the suffering of birth and death,

and all types of poisons and harms will be eradicated.

Homage to Avalokitesvara of the Great Wisdom,

Avalokitesvara of the Observant,

Avalokitesvara of the Most Eminent,

Avalokitesvara of the Enlightened,

Bodhisattva Medicine King,

Bodhisattva Medicine Superior,

Bodhisattva Manjushri,

Bodhisattva Samantabhadra,

Bodhisattva Akasagarbha,

Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha,

Bodhisattvas Billions of Refreshing Treasure Mountain,

Bodhisattva King of Universal Light Tathagata Victorious in Transformation.

By reciting this sutra continuously,

the Seven Buddhas, who are the Lords of the World, declare this mantra:

Li Po Li Po Di, Qiu He Qiu He Di, Tuo Luo Ni Di, Ni He La Di, Pi Li Ni Di, Mo He Qie Di, Zhen Ling Qian Di, So Ha

离婆离婆帝。求诃求诃帝。陀罗尼帝。尼诃罗帝。毘离尼帝。摩诃伽帝。真陵乾帝。梭哈

lí  pó  lí  pó  dì, qíu  hē  qíu  hē  dì, tuó luó ní dì, ní  hē  lā dì, pí lí ní dì, mó hē qié dì, zhēn líng qián dì sō hā

This is not the True Buddha School translation of the High King Sutra but rather a translation made by Mahayana Buddhist, Minerva T.Y. Lee. It is included here for the enjoyment of comparisons, since it is impossible for any one version to fully express all meanings. By reading several, even though you might only practice one, you’ll have the broadest understanding of what the original text meant before translation.

The High King Avalokitesvara Sutra

(Taisho Tripitaka 2898)

Homage to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.

Namo Buddha-yah.
Namo Dharma-yah
Namo Sangha-yah

Due to the great relationship with Buddhas' Worlds,
and the interlinked great causes,
There comes the Buddha's Dharmas,
which is Eternal, Bliss, Self, and Pure;
And we have become the relations of the Buddha-Dharmas.

Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, the great sacrosanct mantra;
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, the great brilliant mantra;
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, the unsurpassed mantra;
Namo Maha Prajna Paramita, the unequaled mantra.

Namo Pure Light Secret Buddha, Dharma Treasury Buddha, the Tranquil King Buddha with Lion's roar and divine speed, the Sumeru Light King Buddha announced by Buddha, Dharma Protector Buddha, Vajra Treasury Roaming Lion Buddha, Precious Victory Buddha, Supernatural Power Buddha, Medicine Master Crystal Light King Buddha, Universal Light Merit Mountain King Buddha, Merit Retaining Jewel King Buddha,

the seven past Buddhas, the coming one thousand Buddhas of the Fortunate kalpa, the fifteen hundred Buddhas, the fifteen thousand Buddhas, the five hundred Flower Victory Buddhas, the one hundred billion Vajra Treasury Buddhas, and Samadhi Light Buddha.

The Buddhas of Six Directions:
To the East the Precious Light Moon Palace Venerable Wonderful Voice King Buddha,
To the South the Tree-Root Flower King Buddha,
To the West the Spiritual Power Flower Blazing King Buddha,
To the North the Moon Palace Purity Buddha,
Above, the countless Vigor Jewel Crown Buddha,
Below, the Tranquil Moon Sound King Buddha.

All the countless Buddhas, Prabhuta-ratna(Many Treasures) Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, Akshobhya Buddha, Amitabha Buddha,

All beings in the Central Realm, and those in the Pure Lands, while moving upon the Earth and in the Heavens, continually shower compassion upon all living beings, affording them equanimity and peace, that they might cultivate day and night. By constantly invoking this sutra, one is liberated from the pain of death and birth, and freed from all the many kinds of suffering.

Namo the Great Wisdom Avalokitesvara, the Observant Avalokitesvara, the Noble Avalokitesvara, the Expansively-Minded Avalokitesvara, the Medicine King Bodhisattva, the Supreme Medicine Bodhisattva, Manjusri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Akasagarbha Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the billions of Clear Cool Treasure Mountain Bodhisattvas, the Universal Light Venerable King Tathagata Bodhisattva, Chanting this sutra continually, the Seven World-Honored Buddhas, recite this mantra:

Lee-poh-lee-poh-deh, kyo-ho-kyo-ho-deh, toh-loh-nee-deb, nee-ah-la-deh, pee-lee-nee-deh, mo-ho-kya-deh, jun-len-chan-deh, so-ha.

All the transformation bodies of Avalokitesvara
and all the bodhisattvas
have vowed to liberate every being in samsara,
and to cleanse all sufferings when called upon.

One who has non-dual faith in Buddha
will be greatly blessed with guidance.
By keeping intact the root of virtue
one will be able to practice this,
and with one thousand recitations,
the practice blends into one's mindstream.

Then one remains unharmed by fire or weapons,
and anger is transformed into happiness.
Even those who are left for dead
returns thereby to life.
One must not doubt this,
for it is the word of Buddha.

The High King Avalokitesvara
In truth removes all obstacles.
Even in the most grave plight
One is saved from death.
This is the truth all Buddhas announce,
Therefore pay them homage.
By reciting this praise one thousand times,
One purifies the most negative of karmas.
Those fortunate ones endowed with indestructible faith
Are to always uphold this sutra.

Recite the name of the Eight Mahasattvas:

Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Mahasattva
Namo Maitreya Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
Namo Akasa-garbha Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
Namo Samanta-bhadra Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
Namo Vajra-pani Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
Namo Manjusri Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
Namo Sarva-nivaraNaviskambhin Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
Namo Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
Namo all venerable Bodhisattva Mahasattvas.

May these merits and virtues
be spread universally to everything.

Fully recite this one thousand times,
And serious sins will be purified.