Difference between revisions of "Legends of 1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara"
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| − | The study of [[Avalokiteshvara]] and his [[forms]] has great importance for the student of [[Mahayana Buddhism]]. In the [[Mahayana]] {{Wiki|Pantheon}} as developed in [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Tibet]], [[Japan]], Mangolia, [[Bhutan]], [[China]] and [[Korea]], [[Avalokitesvara]] is depicted in the text Gunakarandavyuha, [[Saddharmapundarika]] [[Sutra]] etc. According to these texts, he is personified as the [[Symbol]] of [[Compassion]], He is frequently mentioned as the [[God]] of [[mercy]] who will help anybody who finds himself in trouble [[mentally]] or {{Wiki|physically}}. He can infallibly eradicate all mundale [[sufferings]]. In [[order]] to achieve his ends, he can assume various [[forms]], According to the text Karandavyuha [[Sutra]] he [[manifests]] all possible [[forms]] of [[Life]] for the sake of [[ignorant]] and to bring [[Liberation]] to living. It says: "As different [[people]] belonged to different [[faiths]], this [[compassionate]] Bodhissattva was obliged to assume the [[shape]] of all [[gods]] of all [[faiths]]." | + | The study of [[Avalokiteshvara]] and his [[forms]] has great importance for the [[student]] of [[Mahayana Buddhism]]. In the [[Mahayana]] {{Wiki|Pantheon}} as developed in [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Tibet]], [[Japan]], Mangolia, [[Bhutan]], [[China]] and [[Korea]], [[Avalokitesvara]] is depicted in the text [[Gunakarandavyuha]], [[Saddharmapundarika]] [[Sutra]] etc. According to these texts, he is personified as the [[Symbol]] of [[Compassion]], He is frequently mentioned as the [[God]] of [[mercy]] who will help anybody who finds himself in trouble [[mentally]] or {{Wiki|physically}}. He can infallibly eradicate all mundale [[sufferings]]. In [[order]] to achieve his ends, he can assume various [[forms]], According to the text [[Karandavyuha]] [[Sutra]] he [[manifests]] all possible [[forms]] of [[Life]] for the [[sake]] of [[ignorant]] and to bring [[Liberation]] to living. It says: "As different [[people]] belonged to different [[faiths]], this [[compassionate]] Bodhissattva was obliged to assume the [[shape]] of all [[gods]] of all [[faiths]]." |
| − | [[Avalokiteshvara]], the [[Bodhisattva]] of [[Compassion]], in front of [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]] made to commitment to intentionally [[manifest]] into the [[three realms]] of [[Samsara]] in [[order]] to harrow the depths; that is to say, in [[order]] to stir from depths and completely liberate all [[Sentient beings]] from [[Samsara]], and to be their supreme guide. [[Thus]] in the presence of [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]], [[Avalokiteshvara]] made this promise. Also he vowed that if by chance his [[Compassion]] and his courageous [[Mind]] of [[mercy]] for [[Sentient beings]] were to decrease, then may his {{Wiki|head}} and his [[Body]] just completely crack and fall into one thousand pieces. | + | [[Avalokiteshvara]], the [[Bodhisattva]] of [[Compassion]], in front of [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]] made to commitment to intentionally [[manifest]] into the [[three realms]] of [[Samsara]] in [[order]] to harrow the depths; that is to say, in [[order]] to stir from depths and completely {{Wiki|liberate}} all [[Sentient beings]] from [[Samsara]], and to be their supreme guide. [[Thus]] in the presence of [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]], [[Avalokiteshvara]] made this promise. Also he [[vowed]] that if by chance his [[Compassion]] and his courageous [[Mind]] of [[mercy]] for [[Sentient beings]] were to {{Wiki|decrease}}, then may his {{Wiki|head}} and his [[Body]] just completely crack and fall into one thousand pieces. |
| − | When [[Buddha]] was residing at the [[Veluvana]] garden he was surrounded by [[Arahats]]. There were five different [[divine]] rays coming out of his circle of [[Hair]] between the eyebrows in the middle of the forehead and gradually it formed itself into a rainbow. Thereafter it went to the {{Wiki|north}} in the [[direction]] of the [[Himalaya]] country of [[Tibet]]. At that [[time]] [[Buddha]] looked and smiled, then immediately [[Bodhisattva]] Sarvanivarana Viskambhi asked [[Buddha]], What is the [[reason]] of your smiling, [[Lord]]? [[Buddha]] answered, "[[Noble]] boy! In the future there will be a [[pure]] [[Dharma]] through which one can be delivered to the [[path]] of [[Liberation]] in the barbarian country of [[Tibet]] where there has never been a single [[Buddha]] for three junctions of [[time]] and there are uncountable [[demons]] and [[ghosts]] yet to [[time]]. "Therefore, [[Avalokiteshvara]] will tame those wild men, because once upon a [[time]] when he was a [[Bodhisattva]] he prayed to One thousand [[Buddhas]] Saying," May all the transcendents bless me to be able to [[time]] those [[beings]] who are into barbarian country. May you bless that barbarian country through my taming, May you bless me to become the parent of those [[ghosts]] and [[demons]];. May you bless me to free all those [[beings]]. | + | When [[Buddha]] was residing at the [[Veluvana]] [[garden]] he was surrounded by [[Arahats]]. There were five different [[divine]] rays coming out of his circle of [[Hair]] between the [[eyebrows]] in the middle of the {{Wiki|forehead}} and gradually it formed itself into a [[rainbow]]. Thereafter it went to the {{Wiki|north}} in the [[direction]] of the [[Himalaya]] country of [[Tibet]]. At that [[time]] [[Buddha]] looked and smiled, then immediately [[Bodhisattva]] [[Sarvanivarana]] Viskambhi asked [[Buddha]], What is the [[reason]] of your smiling, [[Lord]]? [[Buddha]] answered, "[[Noble]] boy! In the {{Wiki|future}} there will be a [[pure]] [[Dharma]] through which one can be delivered to the [[path]] of [[Liberation]] in the [[barbarian]] country of [[Tibet]] where there has never been a single [[Buddha]] for three junctions of [[time]] and there are uncountable [[demons]] and [[ghosts]] yet to [[time]]. "Therefore, [[Avalokiteshvara]] will tame those wild men, because once upon a [[time]] when he was a [[Bodhisattva]] he prayed to One thousand [[Buddhas]] Saying," May all the transcendents bless me to be able to [[time]] those [[beings]] who are into [[barbarian]] country. May you bless that [[barbarian]] country through my taming, May you bless me to become the [[parent]] of those [[ghosts]] and [[demons]];. May you bless me to free all those [[beings]]. |
| − | Once [[Amitabha Buddha]] placed his hand on the {{Wiki|head}} of [[Avalokiteshvara]] and commanded that [[Noble]] son, "Now you be the one who can tame the animated [[beings]] of the barbarian snow land whereas not a singly [[Buddha]] of the Three times has been there. This is the [[fruit]] of your sincere [[prayer]] for the purpose you have wished. Those [[Suffering]] [[beings]] will be emancipated fromth three [[lower realms]] as soon as they see your young holy [[Body]] and hear the [[Sound]] of the six {{Wiki|mystic}} syllables, Om mani [[padme]] Hum. May your Bodhimind be [[manifested]] to the [[minds]] of [[ghosts]], [[demons]], [[Evil]] [[spirits]] and hobgoblins and may they be striving with their [[minds]] for the benefit of others like Bodhisttvas, instead, of harming others. May all carnivorous [[Animals]]-such as {{Wiki|tigers}}, leopards, bears and snow bears abandon the [[Mind]] of eating others and turn into the [[Love]] of [[parents]] for each other, [[seeing]] your holy [[Body]] and [[hearing]] the [[Sound]] of the six syllables. | + | Once [[Amitabha Buddha]] placed his hand on the {{Wiki|head}} of [[Avalokiteshvara]] and commanded that [[Noble]] son, "Now you be the one who can tame the animated [[beings]] of the [[barbarian]] snow land whereas not a singly [[Buddha]] of the Three times has been there. This is the [[fruit]] of your {{Wiki|sincere}} [[prayer]] for the {{Wiki|purpose}} you have wished. Those [[Suffering]] [[beings]] will be emancipated fromth three [[lower realms]] as soon as they see your young {{Wiki|holy}} [[Body]] and hear the [[Sound]] of the six {{Wiki|mystic}} {{Wiki|syllables}}, Om mani [[padme]] [[Hum]]. May your [[Bodhimind]] be [[manifested]] to the [[minds]] of [[ghosts]], [[demons]], [[Evil]] [[spirits]] and hobgoblins and may they be striving with their [[minds]] for the [[benefit]] of others like Bodhisttvas, instead, of harming others. May all carnivorous [[Animals]]-such as {{Wiki|tigers}}, leopards, bears and snow bears abandon the [[Mind]] of eating others and turn into the [[Love]] of [[parents]] for each other, [[seeing]] your {{Wiki|holy}} [[Body]] and [[hearing]] the [[Sound]] of the [[six syllables]]. |
[[File:1000-arm-chenrezig47.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:1000-arm-chenrezig47.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | After making such commitments and [[Blessings]] from [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]], [[Avalokiteshvara]] went by way of international [[manifestations]] into the [[three realms]] of [[Samsara]] to be the supreme guide for all [[Sentient beings]]. | + | After making such [[commitments]] and [[Blessings]] from [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]], [[Avalokiteshvara]] went by way of international [[manifestations]] into the [[three realms]] of [[Samsara]] to be the supreme guide for all [[Sentient beings]]. |
| − | Thereby he went to [[Hell]] and emancipated them from both the [[hot]] and cold [[hells]] by [[teaching]] the On mani [[padme]] hum. Then he went to [[Ghost]] [[realms]] and emancipated from hunger and [[thirst]] after giving a {{Wiki|discourse}} on the same. After that he went to the [[animal]] [[realms]] and emancipated them from hardship in labour. Then he came to the [[human]] [[realms]] and emancipated them from the intense [[Suffering]] of [[birth]], [[old age]], [[sickness]] and [[Death]] by a {{Wiki|discourse}} on the same, [[Thus]] he also went to [[Asura realm]] and [[Deva realm]] to free them from their respective [[sufferings]]. | + | Thereby he went to [[Hell]] and emancipated them from both the [[hot]] and cold [[hells]] by [[teaching]] the On mani [[padme]] [[hum]]. Then he went to [[Ghost]] [[realms]] and emancipated from hunger and [[thirst]] after giving a {{Wiki|discourse}} on the same. After that he went to the [[animal]] [[realms]] and emancipated them from hardship in labour. Then he came to the [[human]] [[realms]] and emancipated them from the intense [[Suffering]] of [[birth]], [[old age]], [[sickness]] and [[Death]] by a {{Wiki|discourse}} on the same, [[Thus]] he also went to [[Asura realm]] and [[Deva realm]] to free them from their respective [[sufferings]]. |
So [[Avalokiteshvara]] went into of these [[realms]] of [[Samsara]], and he absolutely emptied the ocean of [[sufferings]]. Following which he went back to [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]] and he declared that the [[Liberation]] had been affected. | So [[Avalokiteshvara]] went into of these [[realms]] of [[Samsara]], and he absolutely emptied the ocean of [[sufferings]]. Following which he went back to [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]] and he declared that the [[Liberation]] had been affected. | ||
| − | [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]] said to him," You should look back again into [[World]]!" And as he did, there he saw that once again [[Sentient beings]] were in [[Samsara]] and in [[sorrow]], he became so discouraged as he saw that his "[[Awakening]] [[Mind]] ([[Bodhicitta]]) decreased in the moment he lost his {{Wiki|courage}}. When he became discouraged, in that moment, the promise that he had made earlier declined. | + | [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]] said to him," You should look back again into [[World]]!" And as he did, there he saw that once again [[Sentient beings]] were in [[Samsara]] and in [[sorrow]], he became so discouraged as he saw that his "[[Awakening]] [[Mind]] ([[Bodhicitta]]) decreased in the [[moment]] he lost his {{Wiki|courage}}. When he became discouraged, in that [[moment]], the promise that he had made earlier declined. |
| − | The [[three realms]] of [[Samsara]] are [[Kamadhatu]], the [[desire realm]], the [[Rupa dhatu]], the [[Form]] [[realm]] and the [[Arupya dhaty]], the [[formless realm]],. These three reams are so vast and so are the different types of [[Suffering]] that [[Sentient beings]] must [[experience]] in these [[realms]]. When [[Avalokiteshvara]] beheld that still [[Sentient beings]] were in this type of [[Suffering]] [[condition]] in these [[three realms]] respectively, he become overcome with [[sorrow]], he become discouraged in the very presence of [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]]. He felt how could the [[time]] come to ever liberate all [[Sentient beings]] from this type of promise that he had made before, his {{Wiki|head}} and [[Body]] just cracked and fell apart into one thousand prices, and he fainted. | + | The [[three realms]] of [[Samsara]] are [[Kamadhatu]], the [[desire realm]], the [[Rupa dhatu]], the [[Form]] [[realm]] and the [[Arupya dhaty]], the [[formless realm]],. These three reams are so vast and so are the different types of [[Suffering]] that [[Sentient beings]] must [[experience]] in these [[realms]]. When [[Avalokiteshvara]] beheld that still [[Sentient beings]] were in this type of [[Suffering]] [[condition]] in these [[three realms]] respectively, he become overcome with [[sorrow]], he become discouraged in the very presence of [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]]. He felt how could the [[time]] come to ever {{Wiki|liberate}} all [[Sentient beings]] from this type of promise that he had made before, his {{Wiki|head}} and [[Body]] just cracked and fell apart into one thousand prices, and he fainted. |
| − | [[Avalokiteshvara]], thus fainted, and [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]] said to his "My son, where has your {{Wiki|courage}}, your [[Mental]] strength gone? He picked up all the pieces of his {{Wiki|head}} and the [[Body]]. At the same [[time]] he said," this happened because of your [[prayer]]. You deserve the praise of all [[Buddhas]] since your [[prayer]] was efficacious. However, [[Noble]] son Don't {{Wiki|worry}}! Thereby he blessed his broken {{Wiki|head}} into eleven faces and he sat upon those heads, and his broken [[Body]] into one thousand hands like one thousand petals. Thereafter he said," I bow to you because your one thousand hands are the hands of the thousand [[universal]] emperors and those [[eyes]] in each of the hand palms are [[eyes]] of one thousand [[Buddhas]] who will appear in this [[fortunate]] [[aeon]]. | + | [[Avalokiteshvara]], thus fainted, and [[Buddha]] [[Amitabha]] said to his "My son, where has your {{Wiki|courage}}, your [[Mental]] strength gone? He picked up all the pieces of his {{Wiki|head}} and the [[Body]]. At the same [[time]] he said," this happened because of your [[prayer]]. You deserve the praise of all [[Buddhas]] since your [[prayer]] was efficacious. However, [[Noble]] son Don't {{Wiki|worry}}! Thereby he blessed his broken {{Wiki|head}} into eleven faces and he sat upon those heads, and his broken [[Body]] into one thousand hands like one thousand petals. Thereafter he said," I [[bow]] to you because your one thousand hands are the hands of the thousand [[universal]] [[emperors]] and those [[eyes]] in each of the hand palms are [[eyes]] of one thousand [[Buddhas]] who will appear in this [[fortunate]] [[aeon]]. |
([[Saddharmapundarika]] [[Sutra]]) | ([[Saddharmapundarika]] [[Sutra]]) | ||
Latest revision as of 06:43, 24 November 2020
by M.B.Shakya
The study of Avalokiteshvara and his forms has great importance for the student of Mahayana Buddhism. In the Mahayana Pantheon as developed in India, Nepal, Tibet, Japan, Mangolia, Bhutan, China and Korea, Avalokitesvara is depicted in the text Gunakarandavyuha, Saddharmapundarika Sutra etc. According to these texts, he is personified as the Symbol of Compassion, He is frequently mentioned as the God of mercy who will help anybody who finds himself in trouble mentally or physically. He can infallibly eradicate all mundale sufferings. In order to achieve his ends, he can assume various forms, According to the text Karandavyuha Sutra he manifests all possible forms of Life for the sake of ignorant and to bring Liberation to living. It says: "As different people belonged to different faiths, this compassionate Bodhissattva was obliged to assume the shape of all gods of all faiths."
Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, in front of Buddha Amitabha made to commitment to intentionally manifest into the three realms of Samsara in order to harrow the depths; that is to say, in order to stir from depths and completely liberate all Sentient beings from Samsara, and to be their supreme guide. Thus in the presence of Buddha Amitabha, Avalokiteshvara made this promise. Also he vowed that if by chance his Compassion and his courageous Mind of mercy for Sentient beings were to decrease, then may his head and his Body just completely crack and fall into one thousand pieces.
When Buddha was residing at the Veluvana garden he was surrounded by Arahats. There were five different divine rays coming out of his circle of Hair between the eyebrows in the middle of the forehead and gradually it formed itself into a rainbow. Thereafter it went to the north in the direction of the Himalaya country of Tibet. At that time Buddha looked and smiled, then immediately Bodhisattva Sarvanivarana Viskambhi asked Buddha, What is the reason of your smiling, Lord? Buddha answered, "Noble boy! In the future there will be a pure Dharma through which one can be delivered to the path of Liberation in the barbarian country of Tibet where there has never been a single Buddha for three junctions of time and there are uncountable demons and ghosts yet to time. "Therefore, Avalokiteshvara will tame those wild men, because once upon a time when he was a Bodhisattva he prayed to One thousand Buddhas Saying," May all the transcendents bless me to be able to time those beings who are into barbarian country. May you bless that barbarian country through my taming, May you bless me to become the parent of those ghosts and demons;. May you bless me to free all those beings.
Once Amitabha Buddha placed his hand on the head of Avalokiteshvara and commanded that Noble son, "Now you be the one who can tame the animated beings of the barbarian snow land whereas not a singly Buddha of the Three times has been there. This is the fruit of your sincere prayer for the purpose you have wished. Those Suffering beings will be emancipated fromth three lower realms as soon as they see your young holy Body and hear the Sound of the six mystic syllables, Om mani padme Hum. May your Bodhimind be manifested to the minds of ghosts, demons, Evil spirits and hobgoblins and may they be striving with their minds for the benefit of others like Bodhisttvas, instead, of harming others. May all carnivorous Animals-such as tigers, leopards, bears and snow bears abandon the Mind of eating others and turn into the Love of parents for each other, seeing your holy Body and hearing the Sound of the six syllables.
After making such commitments and Blessings from Buddha Amitabha, Avalokiteshvara went by way of international manifestations into the three realms of Samsara to be the supreme guide for all Sentient beings.
Thereby he went to Hell and emancipated them from both the hot and cold hells by teaching the On mani padme hum. Then he went to Ghost realms and emancipated from hunger and thirst after giving a discourse on the same. After that he went to the animal realms and emancipated them from hardship in labour. Then he came to the human realms and emancipated them from the intense Suffering of birth, old age, sickness and Death by a discourse on the same, Thus he also went to Asura realm and Deva realm to free them from their respective sufferings.
So Avalokiteshvara went into of these realms of Samsara, and he absolutely emptied the ocean of sufferings. Following which he went back to Buddha Amitabha and he declared that the Liberation had been affected.
Buddha Amitabha said to him," You should look back again into World!" And as he did, there he saw that once again Sentient beings were in Samsara and in sorrow, he became so discouraged as he saw that his "Awakening Mind (Bodhicitta) decreased in the moment he lost his courage. When he became discouraged, in that moment, the promise that he had made earlier declined.
The three realms of Samsara are Kamadhatu, the desire realm, the Rupa dhatu, the Form realm and the Arupya dhaty, the formless realm,. These three reams are so vast and so are the different types of Suffering that Sentient beings must experience in these realms. When Avalokiteshvara beheld that still Sentient beings were in this type of Suffering condition in these three realms respectively, he become overcome with sorrow, he become discouraged in the very presence of Buddha Amitabha. He felt how could the time come to ever liberate all Sentient beings from this type of promise that he had made before, his head and Body just cracked and fell apart into one thousand prices, and he fainted.
Avalokiteshvara, thus fainted, and Buddha Amitabha said to his "My son, where has your courage, your Mental strength gone? He picked up all the pieces of his head and the Body. At the same time he said," this happened because of your prayer. You deserve the praise of all Buddhas since your prayer was efficacious. However, Noble son Don't worry! Thereby he blessed his broken head into eleven faces and he sat upon those heads, and his broken Body into one thousand hands like one thousand petals. Thereafter he said," I bow to you because your one thousand hands are the hands of the thousand universal emperors and those eyes in each of the hand palms are eyes of one thousand Buddhas who will appear in this fortunate aeon.
(Saddharmapundarika Sutra)
