Venerable Master Xin Yun said, “As we live, we must strive for a life of value. Buddhism is different from philosophy, for it does not only deal with knowledge and theory. Rather, Buddhism calls for devout faith, developed morality, and most importantly: spiritual practice.” So no matter if it is only five minutes or takes an extensively long time to recite more than one sutra a day, the practice plants the virtuous seeds in both our spirituality and secular life. When the time is ripe, we will harvest the fruit of awakening.
In the Lotus Sutra, there is one chapter about “The Universal Gate Chapter” （《观世音菩萨普门品》） introduces the compassionate visage of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Chinese: Guanyin 观音菩萨), 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 of The Lotus Sutra, chanted and memorized throughout East Asia, is believed to be a strong protection of our body and mind. This chapter speaks of how Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (chinese Pin Yin: Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa) relieves beings who sincerely call upon her name from sufferings. Beings will be freed from dangers and disasters and also from the three poisons (greed, anger and foolishness). This chapter is also typically recited to wish for having children. Because worship of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is highly popular in Asia, recitation of this chapter independent from the Lotus Sutra is common.
The following booklet compiled by Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center can be read and downloaded, contains the complete rituals of praying:
- Praise of Holy Water 楊枝淨水讚
- Sutra Opening Verse 開經偈
- The Lotus Sutra’s Universal Gate 妙法蓮華經觀世音菩薩普門品
- Chapter on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
- Heart Sutra 般若波羅蜜多心經
- Dharani of Great Compassion 千手千眼無礙大悲心陀羅尼
- Triple Refuge 三皈依
- Dedication of Merit 迴向偈
Throughout the history, there are many stories of resonates by recital this chapter. Here is one of the story of how Buddhist teacher giving guidance women who suffers from family violence. This women successfully dealt with the issue of pregnancy and got out of her crisis by sincerely recital The Universal Gate Chapter and pray to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva by chanting “Nomo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva”. 看受暴婦女如何透過佛法的力量，走出家暴的困境，度過生命的難關。
Women persistently listen/recital to “The Universal Gate Chapter” during their pregnancy will tremendously boost the wisdom and blessed the baby for his/her whole life. Here is a recording of the Buddhist Chant Namo Avalokiteshvara Plum Village.