..续本文上一页re were Buddhas in the world. Since you have such great good roots, you should not casually let this life go to waste.

　　记得最初在西乐园打七，居士十有八九是不会念〈大悲咒〉的，可是，到了今天，十个里有八个以上都会念了，这就是诸位居士们显著的进步。现在我说一段故事，来证明〈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.

　　在我们东北地方，有一个财主，他拥有很多田产，有一年的秋天，这个财主他亲自随着四、五辆大货车，满载着高粱到市上去卖。因为乡间和城市的距离有一百五十多里路，所以，他在凌晨一时多，就赶车起程，可是在半途中，不幸遇贼，那财主见前面有贼，就念起〈大悲咒〉，说也奇怪，那帮土匪竟然像瞎子一样，看不见他的车，于是乎，他们便安全渡过难关，这是我所见闻〈大悲咒〉的灵感之一。

　　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.

　　《大悲心陀罗尼经》上说：「诵持大悲咒者。能消诸难。遇火不焚。遇水不溺。」所以，我劝已经会念的居士，每日应最少诵持三遍，至于不会念的，也应赶快学。诵持〈大悲咒〉的功德，不但能退盗贼，更能消除百病，平诸魔难，所以我们应该诚心地诵持。

　　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.

　　在这开始打七的今日，法会的气氛很好，很能郑重其事，希望各位再接再励，更图精进！

　　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.

　　一九五八年六月十三日下午开示于

　　香港西乐园寺

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

《大悲咒能消灾难 The Great Compassion Mantra Can Dispel Calamities》全文阅读结束。