The “Ten-Phrase Avalokitesvara Sutra for Prolonging Life” is an abridged version of the “High King Avalokitesvara Sutra“, which originated from the time of King Gao Huan of the Five Dynasties. Sun Jingde, an officer who was responsible for guarding the treasury, committed a serious crime and was imprisoned to be executed. One day, he dreamed of a monk who advised him to recite the “High King Avalokitesvara Sutra” in order to escape the death sentence. After awakening from the dream, he followed the instructions and recited the sutra repeatedly. Finally, his death sentence was, in reality, lifted. Out of gratitude, he copied the scripture by hand and circulated it throughout the world. The “High King Avalokitesvara Sutra” was then widely circulated because of its efficacy. After being passed on to the Liu-Song Dynasty, the “High King Avalokitesvara Sutra” was simplified into the “Ten-Phrase Avalokitesvara Sutra for Prolonging Life“, thereby shortening the original complicated scripture into only ten sentences, namely:
Guanshiyin. Homage to the Buddha. With the Buddha as cause, with the Buddha as condition, through the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, I attain permanence, bliss, true self, and purity*. In the morning, I recite the name of Guanshiyin. In the evening, I recite the name of Guanshiyin. Every thought arises from mind. Every thought is not separated from mind.
*The four virtues of the Buddha’s Nirvana.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen believes that “extending one’s life” has two meanings:
First, to extend the life of one’s own physical body, and second, to continue the life of wisdom of Buddhism. Venerable Master Sheng Yen emphasized that these ten phrases of the sutra include the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. While reciting the Ten-Phrase Avalokitesvara Sutra for Prolonging Life, the reciters will also take refuge in the Three Jewels and become devout Buddhists. Therefore, when reciting the sutra, we should recite it continuously, even if the sufferings of illness and karmic obstacles are eliminated one by one and one feels that the body is at peace.
Furthermore, we must also have faith in the Buddha, follow the Dharma and respect the Sangha, and make a vow to let the Dharma and wisdom of the Buddha be passed on perpetually.