Opening Verse

The wondrous virtue of Guanyin Bodhisattva is beyond all words to repay;
Through countless kalpas, She has cultivated purity and adorned Herself with magnificence.
Manifesting in thirty-two forms throughout the countless realms,
For hundreds of thousands of millions of kalpas, She has transformed and guided beings in this world.

From the vase, the nectar of compassion is constantly sprinkled;
In Her hand, the willow branch has endured through countless autumns.
At a thousand places where prayers are offered, She responds at a thousand places;
In the sea of suffering, She is forever the vessel that ferries beings to liberation.

 

The most beautiful being in the world is Guanyin Bodhisattva, and the most compassionate being is also Guanyin Bodhisattva. In China, Japan and Korea, there is hardly anyone who does not know of Guanyin Bodhisattva. Her sacred image, with its golden and radiant appearance, is enshrined in cities, villages and even aboard ships. Almost everywhere there are

people, Her image can be found.

There is a well-known saying:

“Every household recites the name of Amitabha Buddha; every family venerates Guanyin Bodhisattva.”

These words demonstrate how deeply the compassion of Guanyin Bodhisattva has touched and become part of everyday family life.

Guanyin Bodhisattva is so named because She “hears the cries of the world and relieves suffering.” She is also known as Guanzizai (Avalokitesvara), the Bodhisattva of Freedom and自在, because She observes all phenomena with complete freedom and mastery: the principles of life, sentient beings, external circumstances and the mind itself.

The Bodhisattva is also known by many other titles, including the Giver of Fearlessness, the Great Compassionate Bodhisattva, the Great Being of Perfect and Universal Understanding, and the Guanyin of the Southern Sea.

According to the Dharani Sutra of the Great Compassionate Heart, Guanyin Bodhisattva attained Buddhahood countless kalpas ago under the name Buddha Zhengfa Ming (Proper Dharma Brightness). Out of Her great compassion and vows, She turned back from the shore of enlightenment and returned to the Saha World (the world of endurance) to guide and liberate sentient beings with whom She had karmic affinities.

The Lotus Sutra, particularly the chapter entitled “The Universal Gateway of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva,” gives a detailed account of how this Bodhisattva benefits sentient beings in the Saha World.

When we pay homage to, respect and commemorate Guanyin Bodhisattva, what aspects of Her spiritual practice and virtues should we strive to learn?

1. Learn from Guanyin Bodhisattva's Manifestations and Skillful Means

Apart from responding to the prayers of sentient beings in unseen ways, the Bodhisattva also manifests in different forms according to the needs and circumstances of each being, teaching the Dharma in whatever way is most appropriate.

As described in the Universal Gateway Chapter, for those who can be liberated through the appearance of a Buddha, She manifests as a Buddha and teaches the Dharma. For those who can be liberated through the appearance of a king, She manifests as a king and teaches the Dharma.

Likewise, She may appear as a monk, a nun, a lay Buddhist man or woman, or a young boy or girl, depending on what is needed to guide and liberate them.

When circumstances require, She may also manifest as a heavenly being, a Vajra guardian deity, an Asura, or even as a dragon, ghost, serpent, bird and many other forms in order to guide sentient beings.

Through thirty-three manifestations, Guanyin Bodhisattva helps and liberates beings. This is expressed in the famous verse:

“At a thousand places where prayers are offered, She responds at a thousand places; in the sea of suffering, She is forever the vessel that ferries beings to liberation.”

The countless stories of Guanyin Bodhisattva manifesting in different forms to help sentient beings provide an inspiring example for us all.

Each of us can also become a manifestation of Guanyin Bodhisattva. For example, when devotees willingly offer their time and service in the temple, and later enthusiastically participate in activities organised by the Buddha's Light International Association, they are helping to spread the Buddha's teachings and allowing the compassionate spirit of the Bodhisattvas to manifest according to changing circumstances.

In this way, we too can become instruments of compassion and Dharma propagation.

2. Learn from Guanyin Bodhisattva's Freedom and Ease

Guanyin is also known as Guanzizai, meaning the Bodhisattva of Freedom and自在.

When we observe the world, we often discover that many people do not truly live freely or peacefully.

Some people have wealth but are still unable to find happiness or peace of mind. Some feel uncomfortable when they see someone they like, while others feel equally uncomfortable when they encounter someone they dislike.

Some feel uneasy in crowded places. Others become disturbed by unpleasant situations, disagreeable things, unwanted sounds or troublesome events.

How, then, can we attain true freedom and inner peace?

One way is through participating in the Great Compassion Repentance Ceremony and learning from the example of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

We should learn to view the world, sentient beings and all things with an open and peaceful mind. True freedom begins within ourselves. When our minds are free and unobstructed, we naturally become more at ease.

Since our own nature has the potential to embody the qualities of Guanzizai, we should learn to cultivate that freedom within ourselves. To study Buddhism is also to learn how to transform ourselves and live with greater ease.

True freedom is something we must create for ourselves.

If we can interact freely and peacefully with all kinds of people, handle every situation with composure, understand different principles without obstruction, and maintain a peaceful and liberated mind, then we are already practising the spirit of Guanzizai.

If we can practise diligently at all times, overcome adversity with courage, and remain at ease regardless of changing circumstances, we will gradually develop the ability to be:

• At ease with people.

• At ease with situations.

• At ease with material things.

• At ease with our own minds.

• At ease with changing conditions.

• At ease in every environment.

• At ease wherever we are.

• At ease at all times.

• At ease in understanding the truth.

When we can achieve this, are we not becoming Guanzizai ourselves?

3. Learn from Guanyin Bodhisattva's Compassion

We may live without money, romantic love or academic knowledge. We may lack many things in life, but there is one thing we must never be without: compassion.

Ordinary people often show compassion only towards those they love or like, while withholding it from those they dislike.

Some people are compassionate only towards their own family members and relatives, but show little concern for outsiders or people who have no direct connection with them.

This happens because they have not yet developed impartial and universal compassion.

What we should learn from Guanyin Bodhisattva is to practise compassion that is:

• Equal and impartial compassion – treating all sentient beings with equal kindness and concern.

• Compassion without attachment to appearances – helping others without seeking recognition or becoming attached to outward forms.

• Active compassion – taking practical action to relieve the suffering of others.

• Non-dual compassion – going beyond distinctions between ourselves and others, friends and strangers, or those we like and dislike.

• Compassion without expectation – giving and helping without greed, personal gain or the expectation of something in return.

This is the great compassion that we should strive to cultivate in our daily lives.

4. Learn from Guanyin Bodhisattva's Wisdom

In the Universal Gateway Chapter, the Buddha repeatedly praises the great compassion of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

After hearing the Buddha's praise, Bodhisattva Inexhaustible Intention (Aksayamati) offers a precious necklace to Guanyin Bodhisattva. The necklace symbolises wisdom and represents the understanding that helping and liberating sentient beings requires not only compassion but also wisdom.

However, Guanyin Bodhisattva initially declines the offering.

This is because Her compassion already embodies wisdom. Her compassion is not blind kindness or indiscriminate benevolence without principles.

Ultimately, at the explanation of Shakyamuni Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva accepts the necklace.

She then divides the offering into two portions. One portion is offered to Shakyamuni Buddha, who represents the spiritual leadership of the present world, while the other is offered to the Stupa of Prabhutaratna Buddha (Many Treasures Buddha), which represents the Dharma Body and ultimate truth of all sentient beings.

From this account, we can see how pure, profound and magnificent the wisdom within Guanyin Bodhisattva's compassion truly is.

Compassion must be guided by wisdom. Only when compassion and wisdom work together can we genuinely help others and guide them towards liberation.

May Guanyin Bodhisattva bless every devotee attending the Great Compassion Repentance Ceremony, enabling each person to embody the spirit of Guanyin, to live with freedom and ease, and to develop great courage and fearlessness.

Those who attend the Guanyin Dharma Assembly have a special karmic affinity with Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Guanyin Bodhisattva manifests in thirty-two different forms to teach the Dharma according to the needs of sentient beings. All of you who have gathered here today are among those beings with whom the Bodhisattva has a special affinity and to whom Her teachings are directed.

 

The Three Major Annual Guanyin Dharma Service

 

19th day of the 2nd lunar month,  Birthday 
Dharma Service: 21 March
*Actual anniversary: 26 Marc

19th day of the 6th lunar month, Enlightenment Day
Dharma Service: 18 July 
*Actual anniversary: 22 July

19th day of the 9th lunar month, Renunciation Day
Dharma Service: 17 October,
*Actual anniversary: 18 October