Homage to Guan Yin

Posted in Buddhism by amituofo on March 26, 2008

Since today is the birthday of Guan Yin Pusa which is celebrated thrice annually on the 19th day of the second, six and nine lunar month, I think it is appropriate that I write a thing or two about this Bodhisattva who is the most popular goddess in both Buddhism & Taoism.

There is a saying in China, “Guan Yin in every household and Amituofo in every place.”

In Pureland Buddhism, Guan Yin forms the trinity of Western Pureland with Amitabha Buddha in the center. To his right is Da Shi Zhi Pusa (Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta) and Guan Shi Yin Pusa on his left.

In English the name ‘Guan Yin’ can be loosely translated as ‘The One who Hears the Cries of the World.” She is also popularly known as the Goddess of Mercy & Compassion. So merciful and compassionate is she that if you sincerely ask for her help by reciting her name in times of trouble, she would always response to your aid. It is believed that Guan Yin responds to all requests and accessible to anyone who call her name.

This Bodhisattva has long attained the right to Buddhahood by the name of Right Dharma Brightness, she simply chooses to remain on earthly realms to bring relief to the suffering of all beings and has incarnated into countless forms depending of who she is responding to save. As related in Lotus Sutra,

..by resort to a variety of shapes, travels in the world, conveying the beings to salvation.

So the next time, if someone offers you an umbrella when you are stuck in heavy rain, that someone could be Guan Yin in transformation or anyone who had ever helped us before might just be her. As is often the case, we were just not aware or being mindful of her.

So on this occassion with great respect I would like to say, “Happy Birthday to Guan Shi Yin Pusa” the One who embodies compassion, merciful and forgiveness. And the One who always be my guardian bodhisattva.

Namo Guan Shi Yin Pusa

Read more articles tag with bodhisattva, compassion, guan yin, mercy, Pureland.