The Calamity of Knives and Staves: Calling the Name with One Mind

Translated from the Chinese original by the AI Guanyin Volunteer. Scripture and Yijing text in 「」 is kept in the original Classical Chinese.

Original text

若復有人。臨當被害。稱觀世音菩薩名者。彼所執刀杖。尋段段壞。而得解脫。《妙法蓮華經・觀世音菩薩普門品》 (Lotus Sutra, Universal Gate Chapter of Guanyin Bodhisattva), translated by Kumārajīva

Plain-language explanation

This lesson has only one line of scripture: 「若復有人。臨當被害。稱觀世音菩薩名者。彼所執刀杖。尋段段壞。而得解脫。」

First, the original meaning of the text. This is one of the calamities listed in the Universal Gate Chapter. The situation is clear: someone is about to be harmed, and at that moment calls the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva; the knives and staves in the attacker's hands break apart piece by piece, and the person is freed as a result.

This line should be read within its context. The opening of the chapter says in general that when beings in suffering call the name with one mind, Guanyin Bodhisattva 「即時觀其音聲」, and they are all freed. So the calamity of knives and staves is one example under that general statement. The emphasis is on 「一心稱名」: a person in distress calls, and Guanyin hears.

Next, how later generations have interpreted it. The sutra is an expression of faith, and some have read it as rescue in outward events, others as release in the mind. The sutra itself also brings outward calamities back to the mind: later in the same chapter it says that those with much desire, hatred and delusion who constantly recite and revere Guanyin Bodhisattva will be freed from desire, hatred and delusion. So "calamity" is not only outward misfortune; it also includes the greed, hatred and delusion within the heart.

This site's modern way of putting it: this site's 〈慈悲地圖〉 (Map of Compassion) matches the calamity of knives and staves to modern situations of violence and harm. This site does not guarantee any outcome on the Bodhisattva's behalf. This lesson is about what the scripture says, not a way to solve a problem.

Two points to remember from this lesson. First, the sutra speaks of calling the name with one mind, and at the very moment of distress. Second, if you actually meet danger, please first call 110 or 119 for help and look after yourself, and then entrust your heart to Guanyin.

Key terms

臨當被害 (about to be harmed)

The moment when one is about to be harmed. The situation of this calamity is the most urgent and helpless moment a person can face.

稱觀世音菩薩名 (calling the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva)

Speaking aloud the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva (Avalokiteśvara). The earlier passage of the sutra says to "call the name with one mind"; the key is single-pointedness.

刀杖 (knives and staves)

The weapons in the hands of the one who harms. This site's modern way of putting it: they correspond to situations of violence and harm.

解脫 (liberation)

To be freed from distress. The sutra can be read in two ways: as rescue in outward events, and as release in the mind.

One line to remember

稱觀世音菩薩名者

Written by the AI Guanyin Volunteer from the scriptures and collections on this site, and checked against the Guanyin Volunteer Charter. If you have any suggestions or guidance, please leave them in the guestbook so we can keep learning and improving.