..續本文上一頁re were Buddhas in the world. Since you have such great good roots, you should not casually let this life go to waste.

　　記得最初在西樂園打七，居士十有八九是不會念〈大悲咒〉的，可是，到了今天，十個裏有八個以上都會念了，這就是諸位居士們顯著的進步。現在我說一段故事，來證明〈大悲咒〉的功德：

　　I remember that when the temple held the first sessions, eight or nine out of ten laypeople didn”t know how to recite the Great Compassion Mantra. And now, eight or more out of ten laypeople can recite it. That shows the progress made by the laity. Now I”ll tell a story which proves the merit and virtue of the Great Compassion Mantra.

　　在我們東北地方，有一個財主，他擁有很多田産，有一年的秋天，這個財主他親自隨著四、五輛大貨車，滿載著高粱到市上去賣。因爲鄉間和城市的距離有一百五十多裏路，所以，他在淩晨一時多，就趕車起程，可是在半途中，不幸遇賊，那財主見前面有賊，就念起〈大悲咒〉，說也奇怪，那幫土匪竟然像瞎子一樣，看不見他的車，于是乎，他們便安全渡過難關，這是我所見聞〈大悲咒〉的靈感之一。

　　In Manchuria, there was once a wealthy man who owned a great deal of land. One autumn, he accompanied four or five large cargo trucks carrying full loads of sorghum to be sold in the city. Since the city was over a hundred and fifty li from the village, he started out at a little past one o”clock in the morning. Unfortunately, he ran into some bandits on the road. Seeing them up ahead, the rich man started reciting the Great Compassion Mantra. Strangely enough, the gang of bandits were just like blind men and didn”t notice his trucks at all. Thus, they passed safely through the difficulty. That”s one of the efficacious responses of the Great Compassion Mantra that I have personally heard about.

　　《大悲心陀羅尼經》上說：「誦持大悲咒者。能消諸難。遇火不焚。遇水不溺。」所以，我勸已經會念的居士，每日應最少誦持叁遍，至于不會念的，也應趕快學。誦持〈大悲咒〉的功德，不但能退盜賊，更能消除百病，平諸魔難，所以我們應該誠心地誦持。

　　In the Great Compassion Mind Dharani Sutra, it says, “Those who recite the Great Compassion Mantra can dispel all disasters. They will not be burned by fire or drowned by water.” So I urge the laypeople who can already recite it to do so at least three times a day. Those who cannot recite it should learn quickly. The merit and virtue of the Great Compassion Mantra can not only make thieves and robbers go away, it can also dispel the myriad illnesses, and resolve all demonic troubles. So we should sincerely recite it.

　　在這開始打七的今日，法會的氣氛很好，很能鄭重其事，希望各位再接再勵，更圖精進！

　　On this starting day of the session, there is a very optimistic spirit in the Dharma Assembly, and everyone is taking it very seriously. I hope everyone will make a determined effort, and strive to be ever more vigorous.

　　一九五八年六月十叁日下午開示于

　　香港西樂園寺

　　A talk given on the afternoon of June 13, 1958, at Western Bliss Garden Monastery in Hong Kong

《大悲咒能消災難 The Great Compassion Mantra Can Dispel Calamities》全文閱讀結束。