| Guan Shih Yin (Avalokiteshvara) Bodhisattva
has a great affinity with living beings in the Saha world. There is
a saying in China, "Guan Shih Yin in every household, Amitabha
in every place." This shows that everyone knows Guan Shih Yin
Bodhisattva and Amitabha (the name means "Limitless Light"
and "Limitless Life") Buddha, that their compassion has
deeply entered people's hearts. Guan means "Contemplate";
shi means "world"; yin means "sounds." Thus the
name means "Contemplating the World's Sounds." Within
Buddhism, Guan Shih Yin Bodhisattva holds a very important position.
Some people say that Guan Shih Yin Bodhisattva is Chinese and some
say he is a Westerner; some say the Bodhisattva is male and some
say female. But now I am informing all of you that Guan Shih Yin
Bodhisattva is neither Chinese nor Western, neither male nor female.
Well, then, where does he come from? He fills empty space and pervades
the Dharma Realm; he is in every place and yet not in any place.
He appears according to what kind of body is needed to save each
particular category of beings. He manifests in whatever physical
form is appropriate to speak Dharma for beings; thus his identity
is flexible. Guan Shih Yin Bodhisattva appears in the form of a
Buddha to save those who are ready to become Buddhas. He appears
as a Bodhisattva to save those who should become Bodhisattvas. He
appears as a heavenly king to speak Dharma for beings in the heavens.
Within Buddhism, Guan Shih Yin Bodhisattva is one who goes about
everywhere teaching and transforming living beings, inspiring them
to bring forth the Bodhi mind. He first sees what a particular being
likes and then makes them happy with what they like. Once they are
happy, they will like to listen to the Dharma he speaks and gradually
he will be able to rescue them. That's why I say that Guan Shih
Yin Bodhisattva is not necessarily male or female; he could be male
or he could be female. In any case those are just transformations.
As to Guan Shih Yin Bodhisattva's own body, he is in a state of
unmoving Suchness. He is just like the Buddhas. Anyway, Guan Shih
Yin Bodhisattva already became a Buddha a long time ago, by the
name of Right Dharma Brightness. He simply appears as a Bodhisattva
in order to teach and transform living beings.
Guan Shih Yin Bodhisattva uses
kindness, compassion, joy, and giving to save all living beings.
He saves beings from the seven difficulties, responds to two kinds
of seeking, has fourteen kinds of fearlessness, speaks Dharma in
nineteen ways, and has thirty-two response bodies. If childless
people seek sons or daughters, their wishes will be granted. These
are the two kinds of seeking.
Therefore, in a Guan Yin recitation session, any vow can be fulfilled
and any result can be obtained, because Guan Yin Bodhisattva responds
to all requests. You may seek to leave the home-life, to remain
a layperson, or to become a Buddha. Guan Shih Yin Bodhisattva has
great kindness and compassion, and will not disappoint you no matter
what you ask for. He'll definitely fulfill your wishes. Therefore,
during the Guan Yin session, you may seek whatever you like. Whether
you seek a son, a daughter, wealth, or long life, you will be able
to obtain them. But these are forms of happiness subject to "outflows";
you ought to seek the nonoutflow happiness of Buddhahood. Worldly
riches, honor, and glory all come to an end, but nonoutflow happiness
is endless and infinite. Let's recite Guan Shih Yin Bodhisattva's
name more in order to realize an everlasting fruition.
Celebration of Guan Yin Boddhisattva's Birthday, March 31 - April 7, 2007
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