Verses: Wondrous Voice of Guanyin — Sound and Refuge

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

Original text

諍訟經官處，怖畏軍陣中，念彼觀音力，眾怨悉退散。妙音觀世音，梵音海潮音，勝彼世間音，是故須常念，念念勿生疑，觀世音淨聖，於苦惱死厄，能為作依怙，具一切功德，慈眼視眾生，福聚海無量，是故應頂禮。《妙法蓮華經・觀世音菩薩普門品》 (Lotus Sutra, Universal Gate Chapter of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, translated by Kumārajīva)

Plain-language explanation

The text of this lesson is the dozen or so lines in the latter part of the verses of the Universal Gate Chapter. It can be read in three layers.

First layer: reciting and doubt. The verses first say 「諍訟經官處，怖畏軍陣中，念彼觀音力，眾怨悉退散」. This is how the scripture speaks of reciting. The earlier prose of the Universal Gate Chapter says that people in distress who call the name with a single mind, Guanyin 「即時觀其音聲」. The verses then say 「是故須常念，念念勿生疑」. What the scripture urges here is to keep reciting and not to give rise to doubt. Note that the scripture is an expression of faith. Through the generations some have read it as protection in worldly affairs, and others as liberation of the mind. This site does not guarantee any outcome on the Bodhisattva's behalf.

Second layer: sound. In the line 「妙音觀世音，梵音海潮音，勝彼世間音」 there are three kinds of sound: the wondrous voice, the Brahma voice, and the sound of the ocean tide. The commentarial tradition has placed different emphasis on the “sound” in “Guanshiyin”. Chengguan of the Huayan school places the emphasis on the sound that is observed, holding that when the three karmas of body, speech and mind are fully able to gather in and transform beings, this is called “Guanzizai” (Avalokiteśvara, the one who observes freely). This is a later interpretation, not the original meaning of the scripture.

Third layer: refuge and reverence. 「觀世音淨聖，於苦惱死厄，能為作依怙，具一切功德，慈眼視眾生，福聚海無量，是故應頂禮」. “Refuge” is a place one can depend on. The verses say that in suffering and in the peril of death, Guanyin can serve as a refuge. The verses end with “the eyes of compassion looking upon beings”, using seeing rather than hearing; from sound they return to the gaze, and conclude with a bow of reverence.

This site's modern way of putting it: these verses can serve as a reminder. When people are in fear, they often feel that no one hears them. “Someone is listening, someone is looking with compassionate eyes”—simply remembering this makes it easier for the mind to settle. If you are in real danger, please call 119 / 110 for help first, and then entrust your heart to Guanyin.

Key terms

念念勿生疑

The scripture urges people not to doubt as they recite. This is the encouraging tone of the verses, not a guarantee of results.

梵音海潮音

Describes Guanyin's voice as pure and vast, unceasing and resounding like the ocean tide. It is a metaphor, not a description of actual loudness.

依怙

A place one can depend on and rely upon. The verses say that in suffering and in the peril of death, Guanyin can serve as a refuge.

慈眼視眾生

To regard beings with compassionate eyes. The verses link this line with “a gathered store of blessings, vast as the sea” as the reason for bowing in reverence.

One line to remember

慈眼視眾生，福聚海無量，是故應頂禮

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.