Sutras

Great Compassion Mantra (Ta Pei Chou)

Recitation of Chien Shou Chien Yan Wu Ai Ta Pei Hsin To Lo Ni, Maha Karuna Dharani in Sanskrit, or the Great Compassion Mantra (Ta Pei Chou) in short, is one of the fundamental mantras for every Buddhist, and should be included in the Daily Recitation. Some of its great powers include: fulfilling every wish of every sentient being; curing illnesses; and receiving protection and blessings from Sravakas, Pratyekabuddhas, and Dharma Protectors. By reciting this mantra everyday, you would be able to choose to be reborn into any Pure Land for your next life.

The full title of each sutra and mantra should be included each time before it is recited. Before reciting the content of the Great Compassion Mantra, you should recite its full title: Chien Shou Chien Yan Wu Ai Ta Pei Hsin To Lo Ni.

For Daily Recitation: Generally 3 or 7 times per day until the end of life; can be recited day or night. During critical times such as before and after an operation, and severe illness e.g. cancer, this mantra should be recited 21 or 49 times per day. The more times you recite it, the more effective it would be.

Prayer: Before reciting this mantra, you can say your prayer or wish as follows, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, , grant me good health, and increase my spiritual power.” If you are suffering from an illness you can also add the following, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva cure my illness in , and speed up the recovery.”

Heart Sutra (Hsin Ching)

Recitation of Po Jo Po Lo Mi To Hsin Ching, Prajna Paramita Hrdaya Sutra in Sanskrit, or the Heart Sutra (Hsin Ching) in short, is for establishing connections with Guan Yin Bodhisattva, and to obtain wisdom through the mercy and compassion of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. This sutra takes the form of energy in the Asura realm and the Deva realm (known as “Heaven” in English), currency in the underworld, and wisdom in the human realm. Some of its great powers include: disciplining misbehaved children; influencing adults to have a religious belief e.g. Buddhism; communicating with elders who are stubborn; calming emotions; granting wisdom; and alleviating depression. It can also be used for performing the transferring of merits to the deceased.

The full title of each sutra and mantra should be included each time before it is recited. For example, before reciting the content of the Heart Sutra, you should recite its full title: Po Jo Po Lo Mi To Hsin Ching.

For Daily Recitation: Generally 3 or 7 times per day until the end of life. The Heart Sutra can be recited until 10PM during good weather. If it is cloudy or rainy, it is best if you can recite it during day time. You should avoid reciting the Heart Sutra after 10PM, or during extreme weather, including heavy rain, thunderstorm, and lightning.

Prayer: Before reciting this sutra, you can say your prayer or wish as follows, “May the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, , grant me wisdom, a pure mind, calmness; and help me to be free from afflictions (maintain focus while performing recitations).”

Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance (Li Fo Ta Chan Hui Wen)

Recitation of Li Fo Ta Chan Hui Wen, or the Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance in English, is one of the greatest repentance sutras. By reciting it, you are sincerely seeking the help of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, including Guan Yin Bodhisattva to repent and cease karmic obstacles due to negative karmas from the past and present lives. Some of its great powers include: repenting negative karmas created during past and present lives; seeking forgiveness from someone you have hurt in past relationships; resolving long-term conflicts; and repenting inappropriate actions such as being disrespectful to Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, or damaging statues or images of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas.

The full title of each sutra and mantra should be included each time before it is recited. For example, before reciting the content of the Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance, you should recite its full title: Li Fo Ta Chan Hui Wen.

For Daily Recitation: Generally once and up to 7 times per day. It is suitable for reciting everyday until the end of life, and can be recited day or night.

Prayer: Before reciting this sutra, you can say your prayer or wish as follows, “May the Great Merciful and Great Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva protect and bless me, , help me to repent and eliminate karmic obstacles due to negative karmas in , grant me good health and great wisdom.”

Note: After reciting the Eighty-eight Buddhas Great Repentance, if you feel soreness or discomfort in any part of your body, it means that the negative karmas have been activated and transformed into foreign spirits. This is a good signal. You can deal with it now, which is better than waiting for it to emerge as a serious illness later in life. You should recite 4 or 7 Little Houses and address them to the “Karmic Creditor of ”. If the pain is severe, recite more Little Houses until you feel better.