Shurangama Mantra with Verses and Commentary

by Venerable Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua

544. ĐÁC ĐIỆC THA

跢姪他

 

 

 Phật sắc nhất thiết chư hữu tình

Các nghi kính lễ tuân phụng hành

Bất tương xả ly thời vệ hộ

Đồng đăng giác đạo pháp Vương Thành.

 

佛敕一切諸有情

各宜敬禮遵奉行

不相捨離時衛護

同登覺道法王城

English Translated by the International Translation Institute

Revised by Bhikshu Heng Shun

 

544. Da Zhi Tuo

 

Verse:

 

The Buddha exhorts every sentient being.

Each should worship and practice it with reverence.

Always guard and protect them, and never abandon them.

Together we become enlightened and reach the city of the Dharma King.

 

Commentary:

 

The Buddha exhorts every sentient being.

 

“Exhorts all sentient beings” includes those who are good and those who are evil. Those who have blood, breath, and awareness are “sentient beings.” Plants do not possess awareness. However, certain plants, such as touch-me-not, close its leaves or curl up when you touch them. They also release water like shedding tears or blood. But they don’t have awareness. Plants have a nature, but they do not have sentience. Also, with respect to ghosts, they have shadow, but no tangible form. Sometimes you might see a shadow, but when look more closely there is nothing there. You can’t find anything.

 

Each should worship and practice it with reverence.

 

Whether they are good or evil, they all should follow and accord with the Shurangama Mantra. They all should rely on the teaching and practice it with reverence.

 

Always guard and protect them, and never abandon them.

 

You should not renounce people who practice. You should not abandon good people. And you should not forsake people who cultivate. At all times you should guard and protect them.

 

Together we become enlightened and reach the city of the Dharma King.

 

All together we become enlightened and arrive at the city of the Dharma King. We arrive at the place where the Buddha dwells.