Guan Yin Bodhisattva/Nanjing Bodhisattva/Tai Sui Bodhisattva/Guan Di Bodhisattva, Guan Ping Bodhisattva and Zhou Tsang Bodhisattva
2.1 Guan Yin Bodhisattva
Responding to all prayers and relieving sentient beings from sufferings
Pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva when encountering difficulties
Introduction to Guan Yin Bodhisattva
Guan Yin Bodhisattva is the symbol of compassion and wisdom in Buddhism. She plays an important part in Mahayana Buddhism and folkloric beliefs. The spirit of great compassion, as represented by Guan Yin Bodhisattva, is perceived as the foundation of Mahayana Buddhism.
According to Buddhist scriptures, Guan Yin Bodhisattva is the manifestation of the “Buddha of True Dharma Light”. Across immeasurable lands, she takes the form of a Bodhisattva to seek the cries of sufferings and relieve sentient beings from distress. There is a special affinity between Guan Yin Bodhisattva and Amitabha Buddha. She is also one of the Three Saints of the Western Pure Land.
With great compassion, Guan Yin Bodhisattva made a vow to help all beings selflessly far and wide. If sentient beings wholeheartedly call for Guan Yin Bodhisattva whenever they encounter difficulties and sufferings, they will be saved by the Bodhisattva. Guan Yin Bodhisattva can manifest into various forms according to the needs of different sentient beings in order to teach the right Dharma.
Among the various Bodhisattvas in Buddhism, Guan Yin Bodhisattva is the most well-known and commonly worshipped. Guan Yin Bodhisattva is widely worshipped in many parts of China and Southeast Asia. There’s a saying that goes, “Every family pays respects to Amitabha Buddha; every household prays to Guan Yin Bodhisattva”. Mount Putuo in Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, China, have always been known as the Buddhist practice place of Guan Yin Bodhisattva.
Homage to the Greatly Merciful and Greatly Compassionate Guan Yin Bodhisattva.
Excerpt from Master Jun Hong Lu’s Dharma Talk at the Guan Yin Temple
Guan Yin Bodhisattva, the most compassionate among the Buddhas. As a representation of a compassionate saviour, Guan Yin Bodhisattva alleviates those in pain with great mercy and compassion. When you are faced with difficulties, you should first pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva, as she will always relieve sentient beings from pain and suffering. During the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, He told the sentient beings to pray to Guan Yin Bodhisattva. Shakyamuni Buddha said, “Guan Yin Bodhisattva attained Buddhahood countless eons ago.” She attained Buddhahood before Shakyamuni Buddha. She manifests the form of a Bodhisattva out of her great compassion and readiness to save sentient beings. Among all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Guan Yin Bodhisattva is the symbol of compassion. Every Bodhisattva made different vows that led them to attaining Buddhahood. For example, Guan Yin Bodhisattva embodies great compassion, Manjushri Bodhisattva embodies great wisdom, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva embodies great practice, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva embodies great vows. As all Bodhisattvas made different vows and are unique in their own ways, you should never make comparisons among Bodhisattvas. The Bodhisattvas possess complete and perfect wisdom; but they only differ in their power of vow. During His time, Shakyamuni Buddha also advised those in pain to recite the holy name of Guan Yin Bodhisattva. We have every reason to do the same.
Below are the three special days related to Guan Yin Bodhisattva. A Buddhist practitioner can offer First Incense on these days. It is advisable to adopt a full vegetarian diet, recite scriptures, refrain from killing, perform life liberation and do more meritorious deeds on these days.
The 19th day of the 2nd lunar month: The Birthday of Guan Yin Bodhisattva
The 19th day of the 6th lunar month: The Enlightenment Day of Guan Yin Bodhisattva
The 19th day of the 9th lunar month: The Renunciation Day of Guan Yin Bodhisattva
Guan Yin Bodhisattva has three Dharma instruments: Willow, vase and lotus seat
27 March 2016
In India, willow can be used to relieve illness and pain as it is full of vitality. If you keep willow branches at home, they can last quite some time, unlike other flowers which wither away easily. Willows are strong and full of vigour; thus, it can be used to save lives. Only when a person is strong and independent can they save others. How could a weak person give others a hand? The willow symbolises the prosperity of Buddhism. The image of Guan Yin Bodhisattva holding a willow means that Buddhism has always been flourishing. Guan Yin Bodhisattva uses the willow to bless us with dew and relieve us from disasters and difficulties.
Excerpt from Wenda20120316 01:13:15
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
The vase held by Guan Yin Bodhisattva contains “glaze water”. She blesses you by pouring the “glaze water” on you rather than using a willow branch to sprinkle a few drops. How merciful is Guan Yin Bodhisattva to give you blessings in this way!
27 March 2016
Guan Yin Bodhisattva likes the lotus flower very much because it represents the Buddha, hence the Lotus Seat. Why are lotus flowers to the liking of the Bodhisattva? It is because lotus flowers remain pure and untainted despite growing in mud.
Just think about it, in this world we get bullied, slandered and mistreated by others. In turn, we get worried and angry. We get affected by our surroundings easily, whereas a lotus flower does not. That is why they are well liked by Bodhisattvas and are regarded as a Dharma instrument. Thus, Bodhisattvas sit or stand on lotus flowers. It is said that lotus flowers can transform into a type of boundless energy and can also turn into the pure water sprinkled by the willow branch. Therefore, a lotus flower symbolises kindness, cleanliness, and purity, which is why Guan Yin Bodhisattva likes lotus flowers so much. The Buddha names it “lotus flower” as it contains Buddha nature.
发表于 2021-9-7 13:51:38