Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva

In Sutras And In Our Hearts (Part 2)

Previously, a brief introduction on Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, including and the etymology of the words ‘Guan Yin’ were made in Part 1 of “Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva – In Sutras and Our Hearts”. In this second part, we continue to delve deeper into Buddhist texts related to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva-related and how we should not take for granted the affinity that all sentient beings have with  Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva.

THE UNIVERSAL DOOR OF THE BODHISATTVA WHO LISTENS 

Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, also known as Guan Yin or Guan Shih Yin Pu Sa [观世音菩萨] is known to be the embodiment of infinite compassion, kindness, mercy and love. Mentioned in the first part that the Sanskrit ‘Avalokiteshvara’; with the ending ‘svara’; ‘sound’, ‘noise’, which means ‘sound perceiver’ and literally meaning ‘he who looks down upon sound’ – the cries of sentient beings who need his help. Adding on, ‘Guan Shih Yin’ means ‘literally “he who perceives the world's lamentations” – wherein ‘lok’ was read as simultaneously meaning both ‘to look’ and ‘world’.

It is in Chapter 25, “The Universal Door of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva” (观世音菩萨普门品) in The Lotus Sutra or also known as The  Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra that states《妙法莲华经》that if “Living beings are beset with hardships, and oppressed by limitless sufferings, the power of Guanyin’s wondrous wisdom can rescue the world from suffering.”

Described as ‘True Contemplator, Pure Contemplator, Contemplator with Vast, Great Wisdom, Compassionate Contemplator, Kind Contemplator, may we constantly behold Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva with reverence!

Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva’s undefiled pure light, the sun of wisdom that breaks through the darkness is able to quell calamities of wind and fire, as it shines on all worlds. Also, the compassion and wonderous kindness is like sweet dew and Dharma rain that can extinguish the flames of affliction.

Thus, when in the midst of contention, when faced with lawsuits, or when someone is terrified on the battlefield, if he evokes the strength of Guanyin, all his many enemies will scatter and leave.

So, complete with the power of spiritual penetrations, vastly wisdom and expedient means, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva are in the ten directions and can manifest in any place. And regardless of beings, the suffering of beings with ‘various evil destinies, those of the hells, ghosts, and animal realms, those with pain of birth, old age, sickness, and death can be gradually wiped away’. It is without a doubt that in times of suffering, agony, danger and death, He is our refuge and protector.

It is without a doubt that in times of suffering, agony, danger and death, He is our refuge and protector.

ONE HEART WITH AVALOKITESHVARA 

In a transcribed lecture by Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, it states, “Our recitation of Guan Yin Bodhisattva's name should continue nonstop, like an ever-flowing stream, until everything becomes one. Walking, standing, sitting and lying down, we recite the name of  Guan Yin. We must pay close attention and not forget Guan Yin's name in thought afterthought. Each recitation must be clear and distinct, and we certainly shouldn't fall asleep or have idle thoughts while reciting. We must recite single-mindedly, thinking of nothing but the words “Namo Bodhisattva Guan Shih Yin”, not leaving the name whether we are walking, standing, sitting, or lying down.”

OM MANI PADME HUM

The Om Mani Padme Hum Mantra – a six-syllable mantra (六字大明陀罗尼或六字真言) is known to be the essence of all mantras. The first known description of the Mantra appears in the Karandavyuha Sutra《佛说大乘庄严宝王经》. In this Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha states, “This is the most beneficial Mantra. Even I made this aspiration to all the million past Buddhas.”

Being The Mantra of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, the meditation and recitation embody the love, compassion, power and superlative qualities of the enlightened beings – also reflecting our true nature (essence) that is within us.

Though six-syllabled, the benefits of the Mantra must not be seen be underestimated. In fact, the benefits and transformation that the Mantra can bring about are infinite. The most immediate transformation when reciting the Mantra is that ‘we connect with the body, by reciting the words of the liturgy and by repeating the Mantra, we connect with the voice, and by imagining the visual form of the Buddha, we connect with the mind’ and ‘through mantra, we no longer cling to the reality of speech and sound encountered in life, but experience it as essentially empty. Then, confusion of the speech aspect of our being is transformed into enlightened awareness'.

In “The Benefits of Chanting Om Mani Padme Hum”, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, shares, ‘The benefits of reciting this Mantra are infinite, like  the limitless sky.’ Reciting this Mantra once can purify the four defeats of breaking the four root vows of self-liberation and the five uninterrupted negative karmas. As mentioned in the tantras, chanting this Mantra, one can achieve the four qualities of being born in the Amitabha Buddha Pure Land (and other pure lands); at the time of death, one can see the Buddha and lights appearing and devas making offerings; and never being reborn in the hell, hungry ghost or animal realms. One will be reborn in the pure land of Buddha or as a happy trans-migratory being. The benefits of reciting the Mantra is so astounding that if one who has completed ten malas of recitation, were to go swimming, be it in a stream, river, lake or ocean, this body of water that touches the person’s body gets blessed.

Rinpoche explains that even if one does not have much intellectual understanding of the Dharma (even if the only thing one knows is ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’, then it is ‘still the happiest life one has lived with an attitude-free of the eight worldly concerns’. According to his experience, in his home in Solu Khumbu, Nepal, there are people who live their lives chanting ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’, without the slightest idea of the three principal aspects of the path – renunciation, bodhicitta and the right view of emptiness. Despite the fact that they are illiterate – they cannot read and do not even know the alphabet – they have great devotion to compassion and bodhicitta and live their lives reciting ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’. Such people are warm-hearted, very kind and very compassionate. This is proof from Rinpoche's experience that it has the effect of transforming the mind into a good heart and compassion.

Also, if one can lead one’s life with the pure attitude that is free of attachment and clinging to this life, and then simply spend one’s life chanting ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’, then that is indeed the purest Dharma.