Then the bodhisattva mahāsattva Akṣayamati rose from his seat, removed his upper robe from one shoulder, knelt on his right knee, and with his hands together in homage bowed toward the Bhagavān and asked the Bhagavān, “Bhagavān, why is the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara called Avalokiteśvara?”

The Bhagavān said to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Akṣayamati, “Noble one, if the hundred thousand quintillion beings in this world who are experiencing suffering were to hear the name of the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara they would all become freed from that mass of suffering.

“Noble one, if those who possess the name of the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara were to fall into a great mass of flames, they would all, through the splendor of the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, be freed from that burning great mass of flames.

“Noble one, if they call out to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara when they are swept away by rivers, those rivers will bring them to shallow waters.

“Noble one, if a hundred thousand quintillion beings were to set out to sea in a ship, sailing to find cowries, gold, jewels, pearls, beryl, conch, crystal, emeralds, coral, white coral, red pearls, and so on, and if a tempest blew them to the island of the rākṣasīs, and if among them one being would call on Avalokiteśvara, they would all become freed from that island of the rākṣasīs.

“Noble one, if someone being led to execution were to call on Avalokiteśvara, the weapons of the executioners would break into pieces and be scattered around.

“Noble one, if this world realm of a thousand million worlds were to be filled with yakṣas and rākṣasas, none of them would even be able to look angrily at someone who possesses the name of the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara.

“Noble one, if there were beings who were bound in iron fetters or were placed in wooden stocks, whether they were guilty or not guilty, through calling out the name of the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara those iron fetters and those wooden stocks would open. Noble one, that is the kind of power that the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara has.

“Noble one, if this world realm of a thousand million worlds were to be filled with rogues, bandits, and foes who were holding weapons in their hands, and if a caravan leader was leading a great caravan of merchants who had obtained a great wealth in jewels, and those travelers saw the rogues, bandits, and foes holding weapons in their hands, and seeing them were frightened and terrified, knowing that they had no protection, and the caravan leader said to the caravan, ‘Do not be afraid! Noble ones, do not be afraid! Through calling out in one voice to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, who brings freedom from fear, he will free you from this fear of bandits and the fear of foes,’ and then the entire great caravan called out in one voice to Avalokiteśvara, saying, ‘We pay homage, we pay homage to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, who brings freedom from fear,’ the instant they called out his name, that entire great caravan would be freed from fear. Noble one, that is the kind of power that the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara has.

“Noble one, if those beings who engage in the conduct of desire pay homage to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, they will become free from desire. If those beings who engage in the conduct of anger pay homage to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, they will become free from anger. If those beings who engage in the conduct of ignorance pay homage to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, they will become free from ignorance. Noble one, that is the kind of great miraculous power that the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara has.

“Noble one, if a woman wishes to have a son and she pays homage to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, she will give birth to a boy who has the qualities of having a good body, being good looking, and being attractive. He will be dear and pleasing to many people and will generate roots of merit. A woman who wishes to have a girl will give birth to a girl, a girl who has the qualities of having a good body, being good looking, and being attractive. She will be dear and pleasing to many people and will generate roots of merit. Noble one, that is the kind of power that the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara has.

“Those who pay homage to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara and possess his name will obtain fruitful results.

“If we compare—to those who pay homage to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara and possess his name—those who pay homage to and possess the names of buddha bhagavāns as numerous as the grains of sand in sixty-two Ganges Rivers, or those who offer clothing, alms, beds, medicine at times of illness, and necessary utensils to living, present, and remaining buddha bhagavāns as numerous as the grains of sand in sixty-two Ganges Rivers, then, noble son, what do you think? How much merit has such a noble man or noble woman created?”

“Bhagavān, it will be great!” replied the bodhisattva mahāsattva Akṣayamati. “Sugata, the merit that those noble men and noble women will have created on that basis will be great.”

“Noble one,” continued the Bhagavān, “the merit created by honoring those buddha bhagavāns will be the same, not more and not higher, as the merit created by paying homage just once to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara and possessing his name.

“The accumulation of merit from paying homage to and possessing the names of buddha bhagavāns as numerous as the grains of sand in sixty-two Ganges Rivers, and that created by paying homage just once to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara and possessing his name, will not easily be exhausted even in a hundred thousand quintillion eons.

“Noble one, in that way the merit from possessing the name of the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara is immeasurable.”

Then the bodhisattva mahāsattva Akṣayamati inquired of the Bhagavān, “Bhagavān, how does the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara move around in this Sahā world realm? How does he teach the Dharma to beings? What is the scope of the skillful methods of the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara like?”

The Bhagavān said to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Akṣayamati, “Noble one, there are world realms where the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara teaches the Dharma to beings in the form of buddhas. There are world realms where the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara teaches the Dharma to beings in the form of bodhisattva mahāsattvas. The bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara teaches the Dharma to some beings in the form of a pratyeka­buddha, to some in the form of a śrāvaka, to some in the form of Brahmā, and to some in the form of Śakra. The bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara teaches the Dharma to some beings in the form of a gandharva. He teaches the Dharma in the form of a yakṣa to those beings who are to be guided by a yakṣa. He teaches the Dharma in the form of Īśvara to those beings who are to be guided by Īśvara. He teaches the Dharma in the form of Maheśvara to those beings who are to be guided by Maheśvara. He teaches the Dharma in the form of a cakravartin to those beings who are to be guided by a cakravartin. He teaches the Dharma in the form of piśāca to those beings who are to be guided by a piśāca. He teaches the Dharma in the form of Vaiśravaṇa to those beings who are to be guided by Vaiśravaṇa. He teaches the Dharma in the form of a general to those beings who are to be guided by a general. He teaches the Dharma in the form of a brahmin to those beings who are to be guided by a brahmin. He teaches the Dharma in the form of Vajrapāṇi to those beings who are to be guided by Vajrapāṇi.

“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara possesses such inconceivable qualities. Therefore, make offerings to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara!

“Noble one, the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara gives freedom from fear to beings who are afraid. Therefore in this Sahā world realm he is known as ‘He Who Gives Freedom From Fear.’”

Then Akṣayamati said to the Bhagavān, “Bhagavān, we will give a Dharma gift to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara.”

“Noble one,” said the Bhagavān, “know that it is the time, and give it.”

Then the bodhisattva mahāsattva Akṣayamati took from around his own neck a long necklace of pearls of the value of a hundred thousand silver coins and gave it as a Dharma gift to the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, saying, “Superior being, accept from me this Dharma gift.” When he did not take it, the bodhisattva mahāsattva Akṣayamati implored the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, “Noble one, accept this string of pearls out of compassion for me!”

Then the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, with compassion for the bodhisattva mahāsattva Akṣayamati, and through compassion for devas, nāgas, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kinnaras, mahoragas, humans, and nonhumans, accepted the string of pearls from the bodhisattva mahāsattva Akṣayamati. When he had accepted it he divided it into two. One half he offered to Bhagavān Śākyamuni and one half he offered to the precious stūpa of the tathāgata, the arhat, the perfectly enlightened buddha Prabhūtaratna.

“Noble son, this is the manner in which the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara miraculously moves around in this Sahā world realm.”

Then his nature was described:

The multicolored banner, Akṣayamati, Asked for the cause of this name’s meaning: “For what reason is this son of the jinas Called Avalokiteśvara?” {1}

Then he gazed into the directions And spoke these words to that ocean of prayers, That multicolored banner, Akṣayamati: “Listen to the conduct of Avalokiteśvara. {2}

“For many countless billion eons, Just as he had prayed, he purified himself Under many thousands of millions of buddhas. I shall describe this, so listen to me! {3}

“Hearing, seeing, and thus Subsequently remembering this Will be fruitful for beings in this world, Eliminating all the suffering and misery of existence. {4}

“If someone were thrown by a murderer Into a pit of fire in order to be killed, If they were thinking of Avalokiteśvara The fire would be extinguished as if by water. {5}

“If someone is crossing a perilous ocean Where nāgas, makaras, asuras, and bhūtas reside, If they are thinking of Avalokiteśvara They will never sink in the water. {6}

“If someone were thrown by a murderer Off the summit of Meru, in order to be killed, If they were thinking of Avalokiteśvara They would stay in the sky like the sun. {7}

“If a mountain made of vajra were thrown Onto someone’s head to kill them, If they were thinking of Avalokiteśvara Not even a pore would be harmed. {8}

“If a crowd of enemies surrounded someone, Holding weapons, intending to kill them, If they were thinking of Avalokiteśvara In that instant they would become friends. {9}

“If someone is under the power of an executioner And is approaching the place of execution, If they are thinking of Avalokiteśvara The executioner’s sword will disintegrate. {10}

“If someone is chained in iron fetters Or imprisoned in wooden stocks, If they are thinking of Avalokiteśvara Their bonds will quickly break apart. {11}

“Spirits and vetālas, who destroy the body, From the power of mantras, spells, and herbs Return to the place from where they were sent, If they are thinking of Avalokiteśvara. {12}

“If someone were surrounded by nāgas, yakṣas, asuras, Bhūtas, and rākṣasas, who steal the vitality of beings, If they were thinking of Avalokiteśvara Not even a pore would be harmed. {13}

“If someone were surrounded By terrifying, malevolent wild beasts with sharp fangs, If they were thinking of Avalokiteśvara They would quickly scatter in all directions. {14}

“If someone were surrounded by snakes Whose terrifying eyes emit light that is like fire, If they were thinking of Avalokiteśvara They would quickly cease to be poisonous. {15}

“If thunderbolts and hail fall from dense clouds Along with thunder and lightning, If they are thinking of Avalokiteśvara They will quickly cease in that instant. {16}

“He sees beings tormented by many sufferings, Oppressed by many hundreds of sufferings. He looks at them with the power of excellent wisdom And thus he is the protector of the world and its devas. {17}

“He has attained the perfection of miraculous power; He is skilled in vast wisdom and methods. He sees the worlds everywhere in the ten directions And all the realms without exception. {18}

“He ends the terrors of beings in the lower realms, In unfortunate existences, and in the hells, Who are animals, or under the command of Yama, And the agonies of birth, aging, sickness, and death. {19}

“I strongly wish to see the beautiful eyes and face Of the one who has virtuous eyes, loving eyes, Who has the eyes that have special method and wisdom, And has compassionate eyes and loving eyes. {20}

“He is an immaculate light, free of stains, The sunlight of wisdom free of darkness, A light that is not obscured by clouds, Beautifully illuminating the world, {21}

“With the roar of conduct that comes from compassion, And the good qualities of the great clouds of kindness. You send down the nectar of the rain of the Dharma That extinguishes the fire of the kleśas of beings. {22}

“If someone is in the midst of fighting and battle, In the great terror of humans at war, If they are thinking of Avalokiteśvara Immediately the enemies will be pacified. {23}

“The thunder from clouds, the beat of a drum, Thunderclaps and the voice of Brahmā Should make one think of Avalokiteśvara, Who has reached the perfection of the scope of the voice. {24}

“Free of doubt, think and think again Of that pure being, Avalokiteśvara. When dying or tormented by pain He will be your protector, refuge, and defender. {25}

“He has reached the perfection of all good qualities. He has eyes of kindness and compassion for all beings. He has true qualities, a great ocean of qualities. One should pay homage to Avalokiteśvara. {26}

“He thus has compassion for beings, And in a future time will become a buddha Who will eliminate all fear and misery. You should think of Avalokiteśvara. {27}

“He is the chief king, the lord of the world. The world makes offerings to him, the source of the bhikṣus’ Dharma. Having practiced for many hundreds of eons, He has attained the stainless, highest enlightenment. {28}

“On the left or right of the guide Amitābha He holds a fan and he fans him. And through the samādhi similar to an illusion He goes to all realms and makes offerings to the jinas. {29}

“In the western direction, in the source of happiness, There is the stainless realm of Sukhāvatī. There dwells the guide Amitāyus, The one who is the leader of beings. {30}

“There are no females appearing there, And there are absolutely no qualities of deception. The sons of the jinas are born there miraculously, Sitting on the center of stainless lotuses. {31}

“That guide Amitāyus Is seated upon a lion throne On the center of a delightful, stainless lotus, And he is as beautiful as a sal tree. {32}

“There is no one in the three existences That is similar to this guide of the world. Whoever hears the name Avalokiteśvara, Their merit will be inexhaustible.” {33}

Then the bodhisattva mahāsattva Dharaṇīṃdhara rose from his seat, removed his upper robe from one shoulder, knelt on his right knee, and with his hands together in homage bowed toward the Bhagavān and said to the Bhagavān, “Bhagavān, the beings who hear the chapter on the bodhisattva mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara, who hear of his miraculous power, who hear the chapter called ‘Facing Everywhere: The Teaching of the Miracles of the Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Avalokiteśvara,’ will not have inferior roots of merit.”

When the Bhagavān was teaching this teaching of this chapter “Facing Everywhere,” eighty-four thousand beings within that assembly developed the aspiration to attain the unequaled, highest, complete enlightenment.