Shurangama Mantra with Verses and Commentary

by Venerable Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua

4. TAM-MIỆU TAM-BỒ-ĐÀ-TỎA

三藐三菩陀寫

Hư không pháp giới quang minh tạng

Thập phương tam thế đại Trí Tôn

Ngã kim quy mạng chân thật tánh

Chánh biến tri giác diệu pháp đường.

虛空法界光明藏

十方三世大智尊

我今皈命真實性

正徧知覺妙法堂

SAN MYAU SAN PU TWO SYE

 Treasury of Brightness in empty space and the Dharma Realm,

 Greatly Wise Honored One in ten directions and three periods,

 To the true nature I now return my life in refuge,

 To proper, pervasive knowledge and enlightenment, in the wonderful Dharma Hall.

COMMENTARY:

SAN MYAU SAN PU TWO SYE translates as "proper, pervasive knowledge and enlightenment." There is nothing which is not known, but the knowledge is proper. There is nothing which is not understood, but the understanding is proper. There is nothing which is not seen, but the seeing is proper. SYE, again, means "entirety." The implication is that there is nothing which is not included therein and that what is included is unending.

Entirety means that throughout the ten directions and the three periods of time, all the Buddhas are inexhaustible and unending. Entirety can also be explained as exhaustible and ending, because it includes everything throughout empty space and the Dharma Realm--all of it to the very end. Buddhadharma can be explained however you like, as long as it has principle. There is no need to be attached to a fixed way, because there are not fixed dharmas. 

So, the syllable SYE refers to the inexhaustible and unending Triple Jewel, which is unending throughout the ten directions and the three periods of time.

Treasury of Brightness in empty space and the Dharma Realm/ The Buddhas extend to the ends of empty space, pervading the Dharma Realm. What are they? They are a Treasury of Brightness. The brightness represents wisdom. Greatly Wise Honored One in ten directions and three periods/ One with great wisdom is a Buddha and a Buddha has great wisdom. To the true nature I now return my life in refuge/ I want to offer up my life to the endless Great Buddha Summit throughout the Dharma Realm--the true Buddha Nature. To proper, pervasive knowledge and enlightenment, in the wonderful Dharma Hall/ That is the Buddha's Bodhimanda, his Way-place. Wonderful, again, has the meaning of unending; a wonderful Dharma Hall that has no bounds!