Special Topics
Q1: Why is Guanyin known as “Guan-shi-yin” in Chinese Buddhism?
Bodhisattva Guanyin is one of the bodhisattvas who are most familiar to Buddhists. In one of the most popular and well-known Buddhist sutras, The Lotus Sutra's Universal Gate Chapter on Bodhisattva Guanyin, the Buddha introduced this mahāsattva with great supernormal powers. Through this series of Q&A articles, let us learn more about Bodhisattva Guanyin, or Guanyin, who is capable of appearing in universal manifestations, to rescue sentient beings from suffering upon hearing their cr...
Q2: From which kinds of suffering does Bodhisattva Guanyin liberate us?
A: The Lotus Sutra's Universal Gate Chapter on Bodhisattva Guanyin outlines seven different kinds of disasters through which the bodhisattva practices "liberating the suffering of sentient beings by observing their sounds." The seven different kinds of disasters are those caused by fire, water, wind, weapons, evil ghosts, captivity, and traveling on a dangerous path. These are the well-known Seven Disasters in the Universal Gate Chapter. Master Sheng Yen had once remarked, "...
Q3: How does Bodhisattva Guanyin hear sentient beings’ cries for help?
A: In the Universal Gate Chapter, the Buddha introduced the greatest characteristic of Guanyin (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, in Sanskrit)—liberating sentient beings' suffering by responding to their calls for help. Regardless of their location or the nature of the sounds produced—whether of pain, delight, sadness, or joy—sentient beings' calls are simultaneously and instantaneously heard by Bodhisattva Guanyin. Regardless of whether sentient beings are virtuous or not...
Q4: How does Bodhisattva Guanyin rescue sentient beings?
Having traveled and educated sentient beings in the ten directions while possessing different kinds of supernormal powers and skillful means, Bodhisattva Guanyin (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, in Sanskrit) holds the meritorious functions of the Five Contemplations and the Five Sounds, as pointed out in the gathas from the Universal Gate Chapter. The Five Contemplations and Five Sounds are incredible Dharma treasures that are utilized by the Bodhisattva as vehicles to ferry different kinds of se...
Q5: How do sentient beings resonate with Bodhisattva Guanyin?
A: The Universal Gate Chapter emphasizes that even if all people, whether virtuous or not, have committed the Five Deadly Sins and the Ten Evil Deeds, as long as they have faith in Bodhisattva Guanyin (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, in Sanskrit) and recite his name wholeheartedly, he will instantaneously hear their voices, respond to their prayers, and liberate them from suffering and danger. Furthermore, according to the gathas in the Universal Gate Chapter, Shakyamuni Buddha encouraged all sen...
Q6：Why does Bodhisattva Guanyin often manifest into a female form, if he has a myriad amount of manifestations?
A：In the Universal Gate Chapter, Bodhisattva Guanyin (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, in Sanskrit) transformed into different manifestations in accordance with different causes and conditions. Bodhisattva Guanyin has 33 different kinds of manifestations, including taking the form of sacred entities, devas, humans, the fourfold assembly, women, young boys and girls, the eightfold assembly, and vajrapani deities. Bodhisattva Guanyin transforms into various kinds of manifestations, using skillful m...
Q7: Is it especially efficacious to pray and ask Bodhisattva Guanyin for a child?
A：In the Universal Gate Chapter, Bodhisattva Guanyin not only rescues the sentient beings from the Seven Disasters and the Three Poisons, but also fulfills the wishes of parents wishing to have children. As stated in the Universal Gate Chapter, if a mother wishes to give birth to a son with blessings, virtues, and wisdom, or a daughter with ethical conduct and a dignified appearance, her wishes will be granted by making prostrations and giving offerings to Bodhisattva Guanyin. If the mother ...
Q8：Why didn’t Bodhisattva Guanyin accept Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intent’s offerings?
A：Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intent (Bodhisattva Aksayamati, in Sanskrit) praised Bodhisattva Guanyin's (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, in Sanskrit) myriad merits at the Dharma Flower Assembly, as stated in the The Lotus Sutra's Universal Gate Chapter on Bodhisattva Guanyin. However, Bodhisattva Guanyin politely declined the offering of Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intent's necklace (prajnapara or keyura, in Sanskrit). So, why did Bodhisattva Guanyin initially choose not to accept it? ...
Q9：What is the meaning of the term "Universal Gate" from the Lotus Sutra's Universal Gate Chapter on Bodhisattva Guanyin?
"Universal," in the context of the chapter's title means "widespread and prevalent," whereas "Gate" indicates that the door is "unobstructed, embracing, and open" to all sentient beings from the ten directions. The "Universal Gate" is also a term that marks Bodhisattva Guanyin's (Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, in Sanskrit) meritorious epithet. When Bodhisattva Guanyin initially aspired to practice the Dharma, he made a gre...