Kuan Yin Bodhisattva
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, known as Kuan Yin to the Japanese and Chinese,
and Chenresig to the Tibetans, is the bodhisattva who most embodies compassion.
The name Avalokitesvara has its root meaning as "he who observes the sounds of
the world". The great vow of Avalokitesvara is to listen to the supplications,
and cries for help from those in difficulty in the world and to provide them
with aid. He takes many different forms....male, female, four-armed,
thousand-armed, human, non-human, teacher, student...whatever expedient means
are needed to help people most effectively.
Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, an emanation of Amida Buddha's compassion, is the
"Regarder of the Cries of the World". Sometimes referred to in the West as the
Goddess of Mercy. (Note: Avalokitesvara means "Kuan Yin" in Sanskrit, the
language of early India, from an earlier time when The Cry Regarder was depicted
as a male figure. "Kuan Yin" is Chinese; "Kannon" is Japanese.)
The following brief excerpt was adapted (notably changing "he" to
"she") from the chapter on the Bodhisattva Regarder of the Cries of the World,
in the W. E. Soothill translation of The Lotus Sutra (The Lotus of the Wonderful
Law, published by Curzon Press): "Listen to the deeds of the
Cry-Regarder, Who well responds to every quarter; Vast is her vow as deep
the sea, Age-long, and inconceivable. Who hears her name and looks to
her, Unremittingly remembering her, Will end the sorrows of
existence. * * * Sorrows of birth, age, disease, death, All will thus
be ended. True regard, serene regard, Far-reaching, wise regard, Regard
of pity, regard compassionate, Ever longed for, ever looked for, In
radiance ever pure and serene! Wisdom's sun, destroying darkness, Subduer
of woes, of storm, of fire, Illuminator of the world! Law of pity, thunder
quivering, Compassion wondrous as a great cloud, Pouring spiritual rain
like nectar, Quenching all the flames of distress! * * * Voice of the
Regarder, wondrous voice, Voice of the rolling tide, Brahma-voice, Voice
all world-surpassing, Ever to be cherished in mind With never a doubting
thought. World's Cry-Regarder, pure and holy, In pain, distress, in death
or woe, Potent as a sure reliance, Perfect in every virtuous
merit, All-beholding with eyes of pity, Boundless ocean-store of
blessings! Prostrate, let us make obeisance."
Praise To Qwan Yin Bodhisattva
Gwan Yin Bodhisattva's compassion for all beings is so vast and
inconceivable, our gratitude cannot comprehend nor fully express the magnitude
of her blessings. Her body and garments of brilliant, translucent White Light.
Her adornments, a white vase of Compassionate Water in her left hand, The Sacred
Willow Branch in her right hand.
Enlightened through infinite acts of compassion countless lifetimes ago.
Her feet rest upon a fragrant red lotus flower above a vast ocean. Her brows
curved and radiant like the crescent of an autumn moon. With the sweet dew drops
she sprinkles from her vase, She relieves the suffering of beings everywhere and
always, for countless autumns.
Prayers for help arise from thousands of hearts, and thousands of prayers
are answered by her vow of eternal compassion: Beings in Samsara, who sail the
ocean of suffering, She will guide and deliver safely to the ultimate shore of
enlightenment.
Great Compassion Mantra
Instructions on how to practice the Great Compassion Mantra (Da Bei Zhow)
of Kwan Yin By Vajra Regent DongShan Wu-Tsen
1. Light incense and place beside shrine; 2. Prostrate 3 times to Kwan
Yin; 3. Offer one (or more) glass (es) of water which Kwan Yin will bless;
4. Invite Kwan Yin to come to you and appear; 5. Bring the palms of your
hands together in the prayer-mudra; 6. Invite all the Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas to come and be present. 7. Recite the following chant: Lu
Shian dza zo, Fa Je Mung Shin, Dzu Fo Haj Whey Shi Yao Wen, Swey Tsu
Dje Shang Yun, Tsong Yi Fong Yin, Dzu Fo Shien Chuan Song. Na Mo
Shian Yun Gai Pu Sa Mo Ko Sa. (3 times) 8. Recite the following lines to
purify your speech and apologize for the pronunciation errors made by you during
this practice: An Sho Li Sho Lie, Mo Ho Sho Li, Sho Sho Li, Sa Po Ho (So
Ha). 9. Recite the Kwan Yin Great Compassion Mantra 3, 5, 7, 21, 49 or 108
times. 10. Recite the short mantra 10 times: Na Mo Kwan Yin
Boddhisattva. 11. Finally, drink the water blessed by Kwan Yin. This water
now has healing powers. 12. Dedicate this practice of the Kwan Yin Great
compassion Mantra to the benefit and enlightenment of all beings.
Great Compassion Mantra (Da Bei Zhou) 1. na mo ho la da nu do la
ye ye, 2. na mo o li ye, 3. po lu je di sho bo la ye, 4. pu ti sa do
po ye, 5. mo ho sa do po ye, 6. mo ho jia lu ni jia ye, 7. an,
8. sa bo la fa yi, 9. su da nu da sia, 10. na mo si ji li do yi mung
o li ye, 11. po lu ji di, sho fo la ling to po, 12. na mo nu la jin cho,
13. si li mo ho po do sha me, 14. sa po wo to do shu pung, 15. wo si
yun, 16. sa po sa do na mo po sa do na mo po che, 17. mo fa to do,
18. da dzo to, 19. an, o po lu si, 20. lu jia di, 21. jia lo di,
22. i si li, 23. mo ho pu ti sa do, 24. sa po sa po, 25. mo la
mo la, 26. mo si mo si li to yun, 27. ji lu ju lu, jie mong, 28. du
lu du lu fa she ye di, 29. mo ho fa she ye di, 30. to la to la, 31.
di li ni, 32. shi fo la ye, 33. zhe la zhe la, 34. mo mo, fa mo la,
35. mu di li, 36. yi si yi si, 37. shi nu shi nu, 38. o la son,
fo la so li, 39. fa sha fa son, 40. fo la she ye, 41. hu lu hu lu mo
la, 42. hu lu hu lu si li, 43. so la so la, 44. si li si li, 45.
su lu su lu, 46. pu ti ye, pu ti ye, 47. pu to ye, pu to ye, 48. mi
di li ye, 49. nu la jin cho, 50. di li so ni nu, 51. po ye mo nu,
52. so po ho, 53. si to ye, 54. so po ho, 55. mo ho si to ye,
56. so po ho, 57. si to yu yi, 58. shi bo la ye, 59. so po ho,
60. no la jin cho, 61. so po ho, 62. mo la nu la, 63. so po ho,
64. si la son o mo chi ye, 65. so po ho, 66. so po mo ho o si to ye,
67. so po ho, 68. zhe ji la o xi to ye, 69. so po ho, 70. bo fo
mo jie si to ye, 71. so po ho, 72. nu la jin cho bo che la ye, 73.
so po ho, 74. mo po li song ji la ye, 75. so po ho, 76. na mo ho la
ta nu do la ye ye, 77. na mo o li ye, 78. po lu ji di, 79. sho bo la
ye, 80. so po ho, 81. an si den, 82. man do la, 83, ba to ye,
84. so po ho. There are 83 Bodhisattvas listed in Great Compassion
Mantra, but #43 is not a Bodhisattva.
Benefits in Reciting and Holding The Great Compassion Mantra Excerpts
from The Dharani Sutra English translation by the Buddhist Text Translation
Society, Dharma Realm Buddhist University, USA If humans and gods recite
and hold the phrases of the Great Compassion Mantra, then when they approach the
end of life, all the Buddhas of the ten directions will come to take them by the
hand to rebirth in whatever Buddhaland they wish, according to their desire.
Should any living beings who recites and holds the spiritual mantra of Great
Compassion fall into the three evil paths, I vow not to realise the right
enlightenment. Should any living being who recites and holds the spiritual
mantra of Great Compassion not be reborn in any Buddhaland, I vow not to realise
the right enlightenment. Should any living being who recites and holds the
spiritual mantra of Great Compassion not obtain unlimited samadhis and
eloquence, I vow not to realise the right enlightenment. Should any living being
who recites and holds the spiritual mantra of Great Compassion not obtain the
fruits of whatever is sought in this very life, then he cannot have been making
proper use of the Dharani of the Great Compassion Heart. People and gods who
recite and hold the Great Compassion Mantra will obtain fifteen kinds of good
birth and will not suffer fifteen kinds of bad death. The bad deaths are:
1. They will not die of starvation or privation 2. They will not die
from having been yoked, imprisoned, caned or otherwise beaten 3. They will
not die at the hands of hostile enemies 4. They will not be killed in
military battle 5. They will not be killed by tigers, wolves, or other evil
beasts 6. They will not die from the venom of poisonous snakes, black
serpents, or scorpions 7. They will not drown or be burned to death 8.
They will not be poisoned to death 9. They will not die as a result of
sorcery 10. They will not die of madness or insanity 11. They will not
be killed by landslides or falling trees 12. They will not die of nightmares
sent by evil people 13. They will not be killed by deviant spirits or evil
ghosts 14. They will not die of evil illnesses which bind the body 15.
They will not commit suicide Those who recite and hold the spiritual Mantra
of Great Compassion will not suffer any of these fifteen kinds of bad death and
will obtain the following fifteen kinds of good birth: 1. Their place of
birth will always have a good king 2. They will always be born in a good
country 3. They will always be born at a good time 4. They will always
meet good friends 5. The organs of their body will always be complete 6.
Their heart will be pure and full in the way 7. They will not violate the
prohibitive precepts 8. Their family will be kind and harmonious 9. They
will always have the necessary wealth and goods in abundance 10. They will
always obtain the respect and help of others 11. They riches will not be
plundered 12. They will obtain everything they seek 13. Dragons, gods,
and good spirits will always protect them 14. In the place where they are
born they will see the Buddha and hear the Dharma 15. They will awaken to
the profound meaning of that Proper Dharma which they hear. Those who recite
and hold the Great Compassion Mantra will obtain these fifteen kinds of good
birth. All gods and people should constantly recite and hold it, without
carelessness.
Six Character Great Bright Mantra OM MANI PADME HUM
Significance of OM, MA, NI, PAD, ME, HUM OM Go for refuge to the
Buddha Produce the aspiring enlightened mind. Perfection of Generosity
Guard the vows of an auditor Purify physical obscurations Overcome
the god demon Cure the sickness of bad accumulation Pacify all
defilemnts The Dharmadhatu wisdom arises Freedom from the god's
suffering of death and rebirth Union of all the Buddha families,
Mahakarunika, and Consort Sadaksari Obtain the state of Sarva-dakini
Obtain the Dharma Body
MA Go for refuge to the Dharma Produce the engaging enlightened
mind Perfection of Moral Conduct Guard the vows of a bodhisattva
Purify vocal obscurations Overcome the female demoness Cure fever
Defeat nescience The mirror wisdom arises Freedom from the jealous
gods' suffering of fighting Buddha Vairocana and Consort Buddhalocana
Obtain the state of Buddha-dakini Obtain the Enjoyment Body
NI Go for refuge to the Sangha Produce the non-dual enlightened
mind Perfection of Patience Guard the vows of fasting Purify mental
obscurations Overcome the rgyal-gong demon Cure wind diseases Defeat
anger The equanimity wisdom arises Freedom from the human suffering of
change Vajrasattva and Consort Samantabhadri Obtain the state of
Vajra-dakini Obtain the Emanation Body
PAD Go for refuge to the Guru Produce the natural enlightened mind
Perfection of enthusiasm Guard the vows of the layperson Purify the
obscurations of defilement Overcome the local deity/naga demon Cure
mucous disease Defeat pride Discriminating wisdom arises Freedom
from the animals' suffering of service Ratnasambhava and Consort Manaki
Obtain the state of Ratna-dakini Obtain the Essence Body
ME Go for refuge to the Yidam Produce the wisdom enlightened mind
Perfection of Meditation Guard the vows of celibacy Purify the
obscurations of the traces Overcome Mara and the Lord of Death Cure
arthritis Eliminate desire All-accomplishing wisdom arises Freedom
from the hungry ghosts' suffering of hunger and thirst Buddha Amitabha and
Consort Pandara-vasini Obtain the state of Padma-dakini Obtain the
Enlightened Body
HUM Go for refuge to the Dakinis Produce the ultimate enlightened
mind Perfection of Discriminating Insight Guard the tantric vows of a
Knowledge Holder Purify the obscurations to knowledge Overcome the Raksa
and Rahula demons Cure bilious disease Eliminate jealousy Inherent
wisdom arises Freedom from the hell sufferings of hot and cold Buddha
Amoghasiddhi and Consort Samaya-tara Obtain the state of the Karma-dakini
Obtain the unchanging Vajra-like Body
Benefits of Reciting OM MANI PADME HUM by Lama Zopa Rinpoche The
benefits of reciting OM MANI PADME HUM are like the infinite sky. Depending on
how perfectly qualified one's mind is and on one's motivation, even reciting OM
MANI PADME HUM one time can purify negative karma. For example, a fully ordained
monk who has received all four defeats can completely purify that very heavy
negative karma by reciting OM MANI PADME HUM one time. So it is very powerful.
Reciting One Thousand Mantras Each Day In the teachings it is said the
benefits of reciting OM MANI PADME HUM are so many that the explanation will
never finish. It is explained that if one recites OM MANI PADME HUM one thousand
times every day, then one's children up to seven generations will not be reborn
in the lower realms. So if, for example, parents recite one thousand mantras
every day then their children, their children's children and so forth up to
seven generations will never be reborn in the lower realms. So parents have
quite a responsibility! This is one way that parents can benefit their children
and grandchildren. If one recites the OM MANI PADME HUM mantra one thousand
times every day, then one's body becomes blessed. So when a person who recites
one thousand OM MANI PADME HUM every day goes into water, into a river or ocean
for example, that water becomes blessed. Whoever that water touches fish, tiny
or big animals, or tiny insects, the negative karma of all those sentient beings
is purified and they do not get reborn in the lower realms. If one recites
one thousand OM MANI PADME HUM every day, then at the time of death, when the
body is burnt, even the smoke that comes from it purifies the negative karma of
whoever it touches or whoever smells it. The negative karma of those sentient
beings to be reborn in the lower realms is purified. Fifteen Major Benefits
There are fifteen major benefits, which are the same for both the long and
the short mantra. Actually, there are so many benefits but if one can remember
these fifteen, these are the most important, the integrated outlines. 1.In
all lifetimes, one will meet with virtuous kings - religious kings like His
Holiness the Dalai Lama and other virtuous leaders - and by being in such a
place where there is a virtuous king one will have much opportunity to practise
Dharma. 2.One will always be reborn in virtuous places where there is a lot
of Dharma practice, where there are lots of temples, where one can make lots of
offerings, where there a lot of holy objects, statues, stupas and so forth.
Being in a place where there are all these holy objects gives one the
opportunity to practise Dharma, to create the cause of happiness, to accumulate
merit. And being in a place where there are many in the city doing practice
inspires oneself to practise Dharma, the cause of happiness.
3.One will always meet with fortunate times and good conditions, which
will help your Dharma practice. Having many good things happen it inspires you
to practise Dharma, to receive teachings and to meditate. 4.One will always
be able to meet with virtuous friends. 5.One will always receive a perfect
human body. 6.One's mind will become familiar with the path, with virtue.
7.One will not allow one's vows, one's morality to degenerate. 8.People
around you - family, Dharma students, people in the office, and so one - will be
kind and harmonious with you. 9.You will always have wealth, the means of
living. 10.You will always be protected and served by others. 11.Your
wealth will not be stolen or taken away by others. 12.Whatever you wish will
succeed. 13.You will always be protected by virtuous nagas and devas.
14.In all lifetimes, you will see Buddha and be able to hear the Dharma.
15.By listening to the pure Dharma, you will be able to actualise the
profound meaning, emptiness. It is said in the teachings that anybody who
recites this mantra with compassion - devas or humans - will receive these
virtues. In addition, the mantra has the power to heal many diseases and to
protect from any harms. The Compassionate Buddha manifesting in the form of
the mantra leads us to enlightenment. In relation to the Holy Body of the
Compassionate Buddha we make offerings, accumulate merit, purify and meditate.
Then the Compassionate Buddha manifests in the form of the mantra OM MANI PADME
HUM. Reciting this mantra unifies our negative karma and causes us to actualise
the whole path from guru devotion through renunciation, bodhicitta, and
emptiness up to the two stages of tantra. Then we are able to bring all sentient
beings to enlightenment. That is how the mantra benefits us. It is the
Compassionate Buddha's holy speech manifesting in an external way in order to
benefit us.

Namo Amitabha
Life’s most
awesome event is death, and death comes to all without regard to wealth, beauty, intelligence or fame.
Death is inevitable, but how you die—terrified and confused, or with confidence and spiritual
mastery—is within your control.
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