“Universal Gateway of the Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds” chapter ［観世音菩薩普門品］ ( Kanzeon-bosatsu-fumon-hon): The twenty-fifth chapter of the Lotus Sutra, which describes the blessings of Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds. Abbreviated as the “Universal Gateway” chapter, the “Perceiver of the World’s Sounds” chapter, or the “Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds” chapter. At the beginning of the chapter, Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intent asks Shakyamuni Buddha to explain why Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds is so called. Shakyamuni replies that it is because this bodhisattva perceives the troubles of all those who single-mindedly call upon his name and delivers them from danger or harm, anytime and anywhere. He further cites examples of seven disasters from which one can be saved by calling the name of Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds: fire, flood, attack by rākshasa demons, attack by swords and staves, attack by yaksha and other demons, imprisonment, and attack by bandits. Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds, he says, also frees people from the three poisons of greed, anger, and foolishness, and grants people’s prayers to have children. Shakyamuni then enumerates thirty-three forms that Perceiver of the World’s Sounds assumes in order to save the people. He asserts that Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds can assume any shape at will, becoming a god, a Brahman, a nonhuman being such as a dragon, or any other appropriate form in order to preach the Buddha’s teaching. Moreover, he says, Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds is given the epithet Bestower of Fearlessness because he confers the benefit of fearlessness in times of trouble or danger. In China and Japan, this chapter was circulated as an independent sutra titled Perceiver of the World’s Sounds, and worship of Bodhisattva Perceiver of the World’s Sounds became highly popular in both countries. In Chinese, this bodhisattva is called Kuan-shih-yin or Kuan-yin, and in Japanese, Kanzeon or Kannon.