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(Note: If you would want more Buddhist materials, please go to Athenaeum of Buddhism)
The Kuan Yin Bodhisattva of Compassion
1. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of Compassion in the Lotus Sutra became known as Kuan Yin.
The Chinese found it easier to think of Compassion in terms of a Loving and Compassionate
goddess.
Kuan Yin Bodhisattva of Compassion comes to our aid when we recite with a sincere heart
: "Namo Kuan Yin Pu Sa"
Kuan Yin also comes to our aid when we recite with a sincere heart, one of the
following:-
(1) The Great Compassion Mantra
(2) The Mantra of Universal Protection - "Om Mani Padme Hum"
(3) "Namo Amitabha Buddha". (Kuan Yin Bodhisattva and Great Strength Bodhisattva are
Amitabha Buddha's disciples and they have both made vows to help him propagate the
Dharma. When we recite Amitabha Buddha's name, Kuan Yin Bodhisattva coms to our
aid and sprinkles sweet dew on top of our heads, while Great Strength Bodhisattva's
brilliance illuminates us.
2. Buddhists should practise the Kuan Yin recitals daily and try to develop the quality of
Compassion in themselves. They should not recite these recitals only when they face difficulties
, problems and experience fear.
3. When reciting, our minds are free from other forms of false thinking and also the 3 mental
poisons of greed, hatred and ignorance. As a result, we will have calmness and concentra-
tion which then gives rise to wisdom to discern clearly between good and evil.
4. In addition to the recitals, one should follow these rules, in order to purge our mind,
speech and actions of impurities:-
(i) To abstain from killing
(ii) To abstain from stealing
(iii) To abstain from sexual misconduct
(iv) To abstain from false speech
(v) To abstain from intoxicants and alcoholic drinks
The Heart of Prajna Paramita Sutra (Click here for Chinese version) When Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva was practising the profound Prajna Paramita, he illuminated the five skandhas and saw that they are all empty, and he crossed beyond all suffering and difficulty. Shariputra, form does not differ from emptiness; emptiness does not differ from form. Form itself is emptiness; emptiness itself is form. So, too, are feeling, cognition, formation and consious- ness. Shariputra, all dharmas are empty of characteristics. They are not produced, not destroyed, not defiled, not pure and they neither increase nor diminish. Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, feeling, cognition, formation or consciousness, no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body or mind; no sights, sounds, smells, tastes, objects of touch or dharmas, no field of the eyes, up to and including no field of mind-consciousness; and no ignorance or ending of ignorance, up to and including no old age and death or ending of old age and death. There in no suffering, no accumulating, no extinction, no way and no understanding and no attaining. Because nothing is attained, the Bodhisattva, through reliance on Prajna Paramita, is unimpeded in his mind. Because there is no impediment, he is not afraid, and he leaves distorted dreams and thoughts far behind. Ultimate Nirvana! All Buddhas of the three periods of time attain Annutarasamyaksambodhi through reliance on Prajna Paramita. Therefore, know that Prajna Paramita is a great spiritual mantra, a great bright mantra, a supreme mantra, an unequalled mantra. It can remove all sufferings; it is genuine and not false. That is why the mantra of Prajna Paramita was spoken. Recite it like this:
GA-TE GA-TE PARAGA-TE PARASAMGA-TE BODHI SVAHA
(END OF THE HEART OF PRAJNA PARAMITA SUTRA)
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