Chapter 25 – Lotus Sutra

Regarder of the Cries of the World

Listen to the deeds of the Cry Regarder, who well responds to every quarter;

His vast vow is deep as the sea, inconceivable in its eons.

Serving many thousands of kotis of buddhas, he has vowed a great pure vow.

Let me briefly tell you. 

He who hears his name, and sees him,

And bears him unremittingly in mind, will be able to end the sorrows of existence.

Though others with harmful intent throw him into a burning pit,

Let him think of the Cry Regarder’s power and the fire pit will become a pool.

Or driven along a great ocean, in peril of dragons, fishes, and demons,

Let him think of the Cry Regarder’s power and waves cannot submerge him.

Or if from the peak of Sumeru, people would hurl him down,

Let him think of the Cry Regarder’s power and like the sun he will stand firm in the sky.

Or if pursued by the wicked and cast down from Mount Diamond,

She thinks of the Cry Regarder’s power, not a hair shall be injured.

Or if meeting with encompassing foes, each with sword drawn to strike her,

She thinks of the Cry Regarder’s power, all their hearts will turn to kindness.

Or if meeting suffering by royal command, her life is to end in execution,

And she thinks of the Cry Regarder’s power, the executioner’s sword will break in pieces.

Or if imprisoned, shackled and chained, arms and legs in gyves and stocks,

She thinks of the Cry Regarder’s power, freely she shall be released.

Or if by incantation and poisons one seeks to hurt her body,

And she thinks of the Cry Regarder’s power, all will revert to their originator.

Or if, meeting evil rakshasas, venomous dragons and demons,

He thinks of the Cry Regarder’s power, at once none will dare to hurt him.

If encompassed by evil beasts, tusks sharp and claws fearful,

He thinks of the Cry Regarder’s power, they will flee in every direction.

If scorched by the fire-flame of the poisonous breath of boas, vipers and scorpions,

He thinks of the Cry Regarder’s power, instantly at her voice they will retreat.

Clouds thunder and lightning flashes, hail falls and rain streams;

He thinks of the Cry Regarder’s power and all instantly are scattered.

The living, crushed and harassed, oppressed by countless pains;

The Cry Regarder with her mystic wisdom can save such a suffering world.

Perfect in supernatural powers, widely practiced in wisdom and tact,

In the lands of the universe there is no place where she does not manifest herself.

All the evil states of existence, hells, ghosts and animals,

Sorrows of birth, age, disease, death, all by degrees are ended by her.

True regard, serene regard, far-reaching wise regard, regard of pity, compassionate regard,

Ever longed for, ever looked for!

Pure and serene in radiance, wisdom’s sun destroying darkness,

Subduer of woes of storm and fire, who illumines all the world!

Law of pity, thunder quivering, compassion wondrous as a great cloud,

Pouring spiritual rain like nectar, quenching the flames of distress!

In disputes before a magistrate, or in fear in battle’s array,

If she thinks of the Cry Regarder’s power all her enemies will be routed.

Hers is the wondrous voice, voice of the world-regarder,

Brahma-voice, voice of the rolling tide, voice all world-surpassing, 

Therefore ever to be kept in mind, with never a doubting thought.

Regarder of the World’s Cries, pure and holy, in pain, distress, death, calamity,

Able to be a sure reliance, perfect in all merit,

With compassionate eyes beholding all, boundless ocean of blessings!

Let us bow in reverence to the Regarder of the Cries of the World.