Shurangama Mantra with Verses and Commentary

by Venerable Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua

12. CU-TRI NẨM

俱知南

Bách ức Bồ Tát bách ức Phật

Thượng thủ Thánh chúng hộ hành giả

Chân tâm cầu pháp hằng bất thoái

Đương lai tất sinh Vô Ưu quốc.

百億菩薩百億佛

上首聖眾護行者

真心求法恒不退

當來必生無憂國

JYU JR NAN

Thousands of millions of Bodhisattvas and thousands of millions of Buddhas,

Are superior leaders among sages, protectors of cultivators.

With a true mind, seek the Dharma, be forever non-retreating.

In the future, it is for certain one will be born in the Land of No Concern.

COMMENTARY:

JYU JR is "one hundred million." NAN means "most supreme leaders." So, the meaning of the line is: Thousands of millions of Bodhisattvas and thousands of millions of Buddhas/ Are superior leaders among the sages, protectors of cultivators/ With a true mind, seek the Dharma, be forever non-retreating/ If you truly seek the Dharma then how do you have time to gossip? And how do you have time to run all over the place making trouble? At all times you have to watch over yourself, otherwise you won't get there on time. You should use your true mind to seek the Dharma and never retreat. You have to make progress, be vigorous and courageous. In the future, it is for certain one will be born in the Land of No Concern. / This refers to the Land of Ultimate Bliss and the Eastern Lapis Lazuli World. It means being born where there are Buddhas.