“The Universal Gate Chapter” introduces the great compassionate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (大慈大悲觀世音菩) who has been a source of inspiration and devotion for Buddhists and non-Buddhists for centuries. Similar to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has already become a Buddha. Because of his deep compassion, he is portrayed as a Bodhisattva to help and protect the beings in this Saha world. This short chapter, which is taken from The Lotus Sutra, is chanted and memorized throughout East Asia. As illustrated in the chapter, one can call forth protection from Avalokitesvara Bodhisattvais by reciting the text or chanting the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s name.
Adapted from Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center. Click to download The Lotus Sutra’s Universal Gate Chapter on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.