Heart-Pounding Nightmares Are Omens of Past-Life Bad Karma

[Original Text]

Heart-pounding nightmares are omens of evil karma accumulated in past lives. However, although the circumstances that arise may be good or bad, the power to transform them lies within oneself. When evil karma manifests and one concentrates on reciting the Buddha's name, adverse karmic conditions can be transformed into favorable ones. The evil karma of past lives is thus turned into a guiding teacher for this present life. Unfortunately, most people in the world are bound by karma and unable to bring about such a transformation. They end up making matters worse, compounding their suffering.

Because my eyes are failing, I am unable to read sutras or write. This summer, I intended to compose On Attaining True Benefits Through Utmost Sincerity, but before reaching the halfway point, my vision could no longer bear the strain, so I had to halt. I still hope to devote the winter months to sincerely repenting of my past karma. If my eyesight improves even slightly, I shall continue and complete the work. Additionally, last year I accepted lay practitioner Chen Xizhou's request to revise the Gazetteer of Mount Putuo. I also pleaded for a delay of two to three years due to my poor eyesight. Once my vision recovers, I am willing to devote five to six years of effort to categorizing all accounts of Bodhisattva Guanyin from the Buddhist Canon. I will organize them systematically, arrange them in verse form, and record the original texts in detail beneath each verse. Upon completion, two sets of printing blocks will be carved—one to be kept at the sutra repository and one at Mount Putuo—so that all those with karmic affinity may share in the Bodhisattva's inconceivable grace. If my eyes remain as they are, I can only say: "Such is my fate—what can be done?"

[Translation]

Heart-pounding nightmares are omens of past-life evil karma manifesting. However, although the circumstances before us may be good or bad, transformation still depends on oneself. When evil karma manifests, if one can single-mindedly recite the Buddha's name, adverse karmic conditions can be turned into favorable ones. Past-life evil karma is thus transformed into a guiding teacher for this present life. Sadly, most people are bound by karmic forces and unable to transform their circumstances. They end up making matters worse, adding suffering upon suffering.

Due to my poor eyesight, I cannot read sutras or write. This summer, I planned to write On Attaining True Benefits Through Utmost Sincerity, but before completing even half of it, my vision could no longer endure the effort, so I had to stop. I still wish to devote myself this winter to sincerely repenting of my past karma. If my eyesight improves even a little, I will continue and finish this essay. Furthermore, last year I agreed to lay practitioner Chen Xizhou's request to revise the Gazetteer of Mount Putuo. I too asked for an extension of two to three years because of my poor vision. Once my eyes recover, I am willing to devote five to six years of effort to organizing all accounts of Bodhisattva Guanyin from the Great Canon—classifying them systematically, arranging them in verse form, and recording the original texts in detail beneath each verse. When this book is completed, two sets of printing blocks will be carved. One will be kept at the sutra repository, and one at Mount Putuo, so that all those with karmic affinity may partake of Bodhisattva Guanyin's inconceivable grace. If my eyes remain as they are, I can only say: "Such is my fate—what can be done?"