The cause and conditions and calendrical numbers match with each other in the way a shadow [matches with a real object] and echo [matches with a real voice;] [this being the case], how can one escape luck or misfortune and calamities or happiness? Yet, profound speeches and preaching on li are cut off from the general mass [by the dimension that can be expressed only as] wondrous or mysterious, with the result that those with shallow knowledge become [tool weak-willed to receive and keep [the sūtra]. [The Buddha] wants them to rely on incantation in order to make sincere the collective sentiment of contemporary beings. The people of the other realms believe in and respect incantation. The method (fa) of incantation can ward off misfortune and invite luck and is applicable to every situation. The latter age will see lots of fearful things happening; nobody will be able to cultivate the good without the risk of being harmed. Thus, the Sage, having sympathy for their stupidity and darkness, preaches these methods for them, [so that] those who are ignorant of li but hope to unite therewith may quickly come to have faith. Thus, he borrows the incantation of names to record there the preaching of li. This way li can be preached anywhere, again achieving [the unity of] name and actuality. Furthermore, the advent of fortune or misfortune has to do with demons and Spirits. By using charms, one can order them not to do any harm. All those who are fearful of the bonds and are afraid of harm should cultivate [the cause of] the sūtra. Having reached [the stage of] cultivating [the cause of] the sūtra, naturally there is the need for secret words. As the comprehension of secret words become manifest, misfortune destroys itself. Now, the Dharma Blossom being the ultimate inward level, the Buddha resorts to incantation in preaching it. People are pleased with the benefits of incantations and like to take advantage of it. They become inclined to and immersed in it; they receive and keep it with great care.

Although the li of the incantation is one, the way the words are arranged is not identical. All have [the order of] right and left, which are solely entrusted to the Buddha. Therefore, again, because of this, the words are arranged in the order in which they were uttered by the Buddha. If any reversal [of the words] occurs later, O the sin would be grave. If it is a charm for one who keeps [the sūtra], that is called dhārāṇi. Charms, being the words of demons and spirits, are not translatable.