Shurangama Mantra with Verses and Commentary

by Venerable Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua

540. ĐẾ THÙ

帝殊

 

 

Cấm phược chư ác mạc xương cuồng

Tà ma yêu quái quỷ thần vương

Nhất thiết quy mạng tuân pháp lệnh

Kiên cố trí kiếm trấn bát hoang.

 

禁縛諸惡莫猖狂

邪魔妖怪鬼神王

一切皈命遵法令

堅固智劍鎮八荒

English Translated by the International Translation Institute

Revised by Bhikshu Heng Shun

 

540. Di Shu

 

Verse:

 

Prohibited from going rampant and committing all kinds of evil.

Are the strange malevolent demons and ghosts, as well as spirit kings.

They all devote their lives to and obey the Dharma pronouncements.

The adamantine sword of wisdom quells those in all directions.

 

Commentary:

 

Prohibited from going rampant and committing all kinds of evil.

 

Within the established boundary, all the strange demons and ghosts as well as all evil entities must not go crazy and misbehave. They absolutely must be well behaved.

 

Are the strange malevolent demons and ghosts, as well as spirit kings.

 

This includes the deviant celestial demons and those of heterodox paths as well as all the Chi Mei and Wang Liang ghosts. Ghost and spirit kings are also included.

 

They all devote their lives to and obey the Dharma pronouncements.

 

 All the strange demons and ghosts in the East, West, South, North and Center have to obey and follow the Dharma pronouncements of the Buddhas.

 

The adamantine sword of wisdom quells those in all directions.

 

As long as you have the solid, adamantine sword of wisdom, you will be able to defeat all the deluded celestial demons and those of heterodox paths. “In all directions” means throughout the Dharma-realm and to the ends of the reaches of space. There is no place where the strange demons and ghosts, malevolent demons, those of heterodox paths, as well as the Chi Mei and Wang Liang ghosts are not very well behaved. One uses one’s awe-inspiring virtue to subdue all the celestial demons, those of heterodox paths, and evil ghosts. All of them including ox ghosts and snake spirits are vanquished and subdued.

 

From now on, unless you are sick or have a special reason, you should come and support the monastery by attending the ceremonies, because these are daily practices carried out by the community. Originally, I should not have to say this. If I have to say it, that means it’s already too late. You must participate in the Morning and Evening Recitation Ceremonies as well as the Meal Offering Ceremony, because they are mandatory ceremonies for everyone who lives in a Buddhist monastery. No matter who you are, if it is not a problem concerning birth and death or an urgent matter, then you should attend the daily practices and ceremonies. These are part of your public duties.

 

 As I have said before, “If you ever see the new Abbot not coming to the Buddha Hall to participate in the daily ceremonies even though he is not sick, then you can all go on strike by not attending the ceremonies either. Otherwise, each one of you should follow the great assembly. Those who are seriously sick can be excused. And those who have dental problems and cannot eat too quickly, can continue eating after others are finished eating.”

 

I noticed that some Bhikshus have failed to follow some of the rules. They talk too much in the office and are absent from the Meal Offering Ceremony. This is the most meaningless type of behavior. When Bhikshus do not abide by the rules, then Bhikshunis will follow along by gossiping, dragging on, and not conforming with everyone else. When it is time for lunch, you are absent from the Meal Offering Ceremony. You rush inside to eat lunch only after others have entered the Dining Hall. This is not permissible. No matter who you are, everyone must together follow the communal rules. You must treat the communal rules of the Bodhimanda (monastery) as extremely important. Don’t be totally ignorant about the rules and say, “I can do whatever I like.” That is just not allowed.