Shurangama Mantra with Verses and Commentary

by Venerable Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua

534. MA HA BÁC LẶC TRƯỢNG KỲ LAM

摩訶般賴丈耆藍

 

 

Trí quang phổ chiếu độ minh ngoan

Liên hoa Loa Sách hóa san tham

Vô sự bất biện thành Thánh pháp

Giai đại hoan hỷ phản bổn nguyên.

 

智光普照度冥頑

蓮華螺索化慳貪

無事不辦成聖法

皆大歡喜返本原

English Translated by the International Translation Institute

Revised by Bhikshu Heng Shun

 

534. Mo He Bo La Zhang Qi Lan

 

Verse:

 

The light of wisdom shines everywhere, saving those who are stubborn and confused.

Lotuses, conches, and lariats transform stinginess and greed.

With nothing left to be done, one realizes the Dharma of the Sages.

Everyone is happy and returns to the fundamental source.

 

Commentary:

 

This line of the mantra describes the state of “establishing the boundary.” Thus, the verse goes:

 

The light of wisdom shines everywhere, saving those who are stubborn and confused.

 

The light of prajna-wisdom shines and obliterates the darkness of obstinate, foolish, and dull-witted living beings. Because the minds of these living beings have such strong attachments, one uses various ways to positively influence these disobedient children and grandchildren of demons, who are the most difficult to teach and save.

 

Lotuses, conches, and lariats transform stinginess and greed.

 

Although they are stubborn, confused, and dull-witted, one still has the use of the Dharma jewel of the Shurangama Mantra and the Lotus Flower Realm. Having the light of wisdom, and the Dharma jewels of great precious lotuses, precious conches, precious lariats, and vajra lariats one causes stubborn, confused, and dull-witted living beings to change their evil ways and turn toward the good. Beings with stinginess and greed will no longer be stingy and greedy.

 

With nothing left to be done, one realizes the Dharma of the Sages.

 

At this point, there is nothing left to be done (a common refrain in the sutras for arhats), because one has realized the Dharma of the multitude of enlightened sages.

 

Everyone is happy and returns to the fundamental source.

 

 All disasters and diseases of people are completely eradicated. Demon kings change their evil ways and turn toward the good. The demon kings are happy, all humans are happy, and those who use this Dharma are happy. Everyone returns to the home of their fundamental existence, which is an unmoving state of silent illumination that is characterized by permanence, happiness, self, and purity. One no longer wanders about outside.