Guan Yin (Kuanyin) Mantra ~ The Goddess of Mercy, ~ Perceiver of the World’s Sounds ~ Namo Guan-Shi-Yin Pusa ~ Imee Oii
Labels are just labels, but they are also symbols
In Buddhism, labels are just labels, and the name of the Compassionate Bodhisattva is another imputed label that just helps us relate to the Enlightened concept in our daily lives. Guan Yin’s practice came to China as early as the first century AD from India, and from there spread to devotees in Japan and Korea. Guan Yin can be visualised as either female or male, but the majority, in China particularly, visualise her as Mother Goddess Guan Yin. Yet, she is not separate or different from the male four-armed Avalokiteshvara, thousand armed Avalokiteshvara, and dozens of forms and emanations: loving, wrathful, passionate, fiery, protective — but always compassionate.
What’s in a name? The qualities of mercy and compassion. The appearance of beauty, motherly wisdom, tenderness. The activities of kindness, help, protection, nurturing — Mother.
Although Avalokiteshvara is in many, many prominent sutras, it is in chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra that we learn of the ten salvations (protections or deliverances) of Kuan Yin.
Although Kuan Yin is associated with rescues from fear and danger in other sutras, it is in chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra that we learn, in detail, the ten Great Deliverance (Salvations) and Protections of Avalokiteshvara. These are similar to the protections of Green Tara from the Eight Great Dangers and Eight Great Fears. The Ten Salvations are (with supporting quotes from the Lotus Sutra):
Protection from dangers of Fire
“If there are people who wish to harm you
by pushing you into the great pit of inferno,
think of the power of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara;
the inferno pit will be transformed into a water pond.
— Lotus Sutra 25: 2.3
Deliverance from dangers of Water
“If you are drifting in a great ocean
and facing imminent danger
with dragons, fishes, and other demons,
think of the power of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara;
the waves will be unable to swallow you.
— Lotus Sutra 25: 2.4
Deliverance from dangers of falling
“If you are at the summit of Mount Sumeru,
and someone pushes you off the edge,
think of the power of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara;
you will be suspended in midair like the sun in the sky.
— Lotus Sutra 25: 2.5
Deliverance from dangers of politics
“If you are suffering from the punishment of government,
and your life is about to end by execution,
think of the power of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara;
the sword will be splintered into pieces.
— Lotus Sutra 25: 2.8
Deliverance from Prison
“If you are being locked in a prison
and your hands and feet are being bound by chains and fetters,
think of the power of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara;
you will be released and freed.
— Lotus Sutra 25: 2.9
Deliverance from Curses or Poisons
“If there are people who wish to harm you
by curses or poisonous herbs,
think of the power of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara;
the effects will be bounced back to the originator.
— Lotus Sutra 25: 2.10
Deliverance from Demons
“If you face harm from vicious rakshasas,
poisonous dragons, or various demons,
think of the power of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara;
no one will dare to harm you.
— Lotus Sutra 25: 2.11
Deliverance from Evil Beasts
“If you are surrounded by evil beasts
with sharp fangs and fearful claws,
think of the power of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara;
they will quickly flee and scamper away in all directions.
— Lotus Sutra 25: 2.12
Protection during Disputes or War
“If you have disputes before the court,
or are fearful in the midst of the war,
think of the power of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara;
all enemies full of resentment will retreat.
— Lotus Sutra 25: 2.21
Bestow Children of Good Fortune
“If there are women who wish to give birth to a son, they should worship by giving offerings to Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, who will bestow them a son blessed with good fortune, virtue, and wisdom. If they wish to have a daughter, they will have a beautiful and adorable daughter blessed with accumulated benevolent roots.
— Lotus Sutra 25: 1.11
Practicing Kuan Yin
Kuan Yin demands nothing of her followers. As a Bodhisattva, freed from attachments, she has no need of offerings, worship, praise, devotions.
It is the Buddhist follower who needs the offering, worship, praise, devotions. These acts are positive acts of Karma — Kuan Yin’s gift to us. She gives us the opportunity to extinguish our past impurities and negative karmic acts with meritorious acts. She asks only one thing — that you share her value of Compassion and Metta (love) for all sentient beings.
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May All Sentient Beings Be Liberated!
