Avalokitesvara

One of the most important BODHISATTVAS in BUDDHISM, known especially for compassion. Originally Avalokitesvara was male, but in east Asia Avalokitesvara became venerated in female form. She is known in Chinese as Kuan-yin and in Japanese as Kannon. Avalokitesvara is celebrated in two Buddhist scriptures, the LOTUS SUTRA and the Pure Land Sutra. He—or she—is a supreme example of the bodhisattva ideal. According to this ideal people should not seek NIRVANA for themselves. That would be selfi sh. Instead, they should donate whatever good they have acquired to help all beings achieve release. Many myths connect Avalokitesvara with the Buddha Amitabha, known in Japanese as AMIDA. Pure Land Buddhists say that Avalokitesvara is one of Amida's attendants in the Pure Land (see PURE LAND BUDDHISM). Others say he is Amitabha's son. In any case, Avalokitesvara is often worshipped separately. He is said to dwell on a mythical mountain known as Potala or Potalaka. From there he looks after the world during the time from the BUDDHA Siddhartha Gautama (c. 560–c. 480 B.C.E.) to Maitreya, the Buddha who is yet to come. Avalokitesvara is the epitome of virtue and compassion. He devoted eons to meritorious efforts. As a result, his ability to help beings who are suffering knows no bounds. Worshippers call upon him—or her—for help in any number of situations. They may desire release from the three traditional Buddhist poisons of lust, anger, and ignorance. Or they may want protection in times of danger, protection for travel on the sea, or long life. Especially as Kuan-yin, this bodhisattva protects women and oversees childbirth. All Buddhists venerate Avalokitesvara. Buddhists in southeast Asia known as Theravadins call upon him as Lokesvara, "lord of the world." This bodhisattva also has close ties to Tibet. He is said to have revealed the mantra Om mani padme hum (literally, "Om the jewel in the lotus hum"), one of the most important mantras in Tibetan Buddhism (see TIBETAN RELIGION). He is also said to take human form as the DALAI LAMA, the leader of Tibetan Buddhism. There are several common images of Avalokitesvara. One shows him resplendent with jewels, wearing a tall crown, and holding a lotus in his left hand. On the crown is the Buddha Amitabha. Another common image shows Avalokitesvara in female form with 11 heads and a thousand arms. The 11 heads may recall one of the meanings of Avalokitesvara's name, "lord of what is seen." The thousand arms represent the bodhisattva's limitless ability to shower her worshippers with benefi ts. An image very common in China shows Kuan-yin dressed in fl owing garments, a serene, motherly expression on her face; in her arms she holds a jar the way a mother might hold a baby, and from the jar she pours water into a pond, a sign of her benefi cent gifts.