Through the Power of Contemplating Guanyin (II): Four Calamities

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

Original text

或遇惡羅剎，毒龍諸鬼等，念彼觀音力，時悉不敢害。若惡獸圍遶，利牙爪可怖，念彼觀音力，疾走無邊方。蚖蛇及蝮蠍，氣毒煙火燃，念彼觀音力，尋聲自迴去。雲雷鼓掣電，降雹澍大雨，念彼觀音力，應時得消散。《妙法蓮華經・觀世音菩薩普門品》 (the Lotus Sutra, Universal Gate Chapter of Guanyin Bodhisattva, translated by Kumārajīva)

Plain-language explanation

This lesson reads four consecutive groups of lines in the verses. Each group names one kind of calamity, then ends with the same line: 「念彼觀音力」.

The first group is 「或遇惡羅剎，毒龍諸鬼等」. The text says that through the power of contemplating Guanyin, these spirits 「時悉不敢害」. The second group is 「若惡獸圍遶，利牙爪可怖」, and the result is 「疾走無邊方」: the beasts run off to far-away places. The third group is 「蚖蛇及蝮蠍，氣毒煙火燃」, and the result is 「尋聲自迴去」: the poisonous creatures follow the sound and turn back of their own accord. The fourth group is 「雲雷鼓掣電，降雹澍大雨」, and the result is 「應時得消散」.

The writing in this passage is very orderly. The kinds of calamity differ: there are spirits, beasts, poisonous creatures, and weather. The response is only one: reciting. The text gives no details and states only the result.

There have long been two directions for reading these four calamities. One reads them as rescue in outward events; the other reads them as liberation in the mind. Later in the same chapter, the 〈普門品〉 says that those with much desire, anger, and delusion, if they constantly recite and revere Guanyin Bodhisattva, become free of desire, anger, and delusion. So the text itself also links calamity back to the inner mind: greed, anger, and delusion are the fire and water within the heart.

This site's modern way of putting it: these lines can serve as a reminder. When people are afraid, they easily fall into panic; reciting Guanyin's name lets the mind settle first, and remembers that compassion is listening. This site quotes the scripture but does not guarantee any outcome in the Bodhisattva's name, nor does it treat these lines as a protective practice. When real danger comes, first call for help and first look after yourself.

The next lesson will continue with the verses. For this lesson, simply remember the four calamities and the structure of the same closing line.

Key terms

惡羅剎

The first calamity the text lists. In the Buddhist scriptures, rākṣasas are evil spirits that harm people. The verse says that through the power of contemplating Guanyin, they 「時悉不敢害」.

蚖蛇及蝮蠍

Vipers, pit vipers and scorpions stand for the calamity of poisonous creatures in the verses. The text says they 「尋聲自迴去」, following the sound and retreating of their own accord.

雲雷鼓掣電

Describes thunderclouds rumbling and lightning flashing, the weather calamity among the four. The same line also mentions hail and heavy rain, and the result is 「應時得消散」.

念彼觀音力

The closing line that recurs throughout the verses; every calamity ends with it. 「念」 means reciting and bearing in mind, and 「力」 is the power of Guanyin.

One line to remember

念彼觀音力，應時得消散。

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.