Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Buddhist Texts - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism
Buddhist Texts - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism
net
Web site: www.buddhanet.net
Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc.
Popular Deities
in Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated)
!n carly 1979 thc author cncountcrcd an unusual spiritual cxpcri
cncc which changcd his lilc and put him onto thc 8uddhist path.
For wccks hc had lcrvcntly praycd to thc 8lcsscd \irgin Mary
and to Sai 8aba lor a miraculous curc as his youngcr brothcr
was strickcn with canccr and slowly withcring away. Hcavcn
rcspondcd to his crics and Kuan Yin Pusa camc into his lilc
most uncxpcctcdly. Kuan Yin not only promiscd that his brothcr
would livc but would also bc blcsscd with a son thc lollowing
ycar and it was so! Tc author was also askcd to cstablish a
placc ol worship so that many othcrs could also cnjoy Hcr blcss
ings in thc luturc. Tus, thc Kuan Yin Contcmplativc rdcr was
loundcd in thc samc ycar and Kuan Yin has indccd givcn Hcr
blcssings to a grcat numbcr ol pcoplc who wcnt thcrc to worship
Hcr.
vcr thc ycars thc Kuan Yin Contcmplativc rdcr (KYC)
had bccn blcsscd with thc visits ol numcrous worldrcnowncd
8uddhist harma Mastcrs who gavc tcachings thcrc. !t was
thcn that thc author rcaliscd that many who callcd thcmsclvcs
8uddhists had only a vcry vaguc idca ol what 8uddhism is.
Tis lcd him to producc this book with thc sinccrc objcctivc
ol inducing such pcoplc to spcnd morc timc in harma study.
Vith a comprchcnsivc dcscription ol cach ol thc 8uddhas and
8odhisattvas ol thc popular Chincsc Panthcon, thc inclusion
ol thc many colourlul illustrations and thc basic tcachings ol
thc 8uddha which all 8uddhists should know, it is hopcd that
this uniquc book will makc harmarcading plcasurablc. For
thc sakc ol avoiding unduc publicity hc has choscn to usc his
8uddhist namc as thc author ol this book.
Jopu/ar 9eities
of
[hinese Juddhism
by
[uan ing
[uan Tin [ontemp/ati+e Order
a/aysia
v
To my father and mother
the kinde persons that I ha+e e+er kno.n.
v
Jreface
Tis clcmcntary book on Chincsc 8uddhism and its morc popu
larly worshippcd citics, has bccn writtcn lor thc bcncnt ol
Buddhists amongst thc Chincsc community. ! rclcr to thcm as
Buddhists in italics bccausc thcy do not havc a clcar idca ol thcir
laith. Tcir spiritual practiccs havc bccn rcduccd to mcrc supcr
stitious bclicls and blind laith duc to lack ol doctrinal knowlcdgc
and opportunitics to mcct with harma tcachcrs.
!t is amazing to nnd 8uddhists who do not know what thcir
rcligion stands lor. Somc do not cvcn know who thc 8uddha is
or whcthcr Hc is thc samc 8uddha who was born in !ndia, or
what is mcant by Rclugctaking. Just by ocring inccnsc to thc
Hcavcnly Gods and to thc Anccstral Tablcts docs not qualily
thcm to bc 8uddhists as it is not a 8uddhist practicc at all. !n or
dcr lor thcm to nnd comlort and mcaning in thcir rcligious pur
suits thcy must, nrst ol all, havc a clcar idca ol what 8uddhism
is and what constitutcs its practicc. !t is also important that thcy
arc ablc to distinguish thc dicrcnccs bctwccn 8uddhas, 8odhi
sattvas and Gods, othcrwisc thc tcrm dcity would havc to bc
uscd to dcscribc thcm. Tis cxplains why thc titlc ol this book has
bccn changcd lrom Tc 8uddhas and 8odhisattvas ol Chincsc
8uddhism to thc Popular citics ol Chincsc 8uddhism.
Tc picturc ol thc popular Chincsc Panthcon ol citics gavc mc
thc inspiration to writc a book which ocrs thc opportunity to
vi vii
givc an cxplanation on thc mcanings and dicrcnccs bctwccn
thc various classcs ol divinc bcings that cxist in 8uddhism. !
havc thc choscn thc samc picturc lor thc covcr dcsign with thc
hopc that its lamilarity with thc avcragc 8uddhist will inducc
thcm to rcad it so as to gain a basic knowlcdgc ol thcir rcligion.
Apart lrom giving a gcncral outlinc ol 8uddhism and its cntry
into China, ! havc also attcmptcd to providc bricl accounts on
thc important doctrincs that thc 8uddha has taught, praycrs that
onc may rccitc to thc 8uddhas and 8odhisattvas, how to bccomc
a 8uddhist, and a numbcr ol intcrcsting articlcs that arc rclatcd
to Chincsc 8uddhism.
Tis is indccd a book ol lovc lovc lor thc Grcatly Compas
sionatc Kuan Shih Yin who camc so suddcnly into my lilc in
1979 and bringing so much mcaning to it. !t is also writtcn lor
thc bcncnt and sustcnancc ol our insignincant Kuan Yin Con
tcmplativc rdcr which has bccn blcsscd with thc visits ol so
many wondcrlul harma tcachcrs and lricnds. Finally, my vcry
gratclul thanks to my brothcr Nclson Vong, who is my spiritual
bcnclactor, and my wilc lor hcr grcat paticncc with mc during
my nightly strugglcs to bring lorth this book.
KuaN M:Nc
+q8
vi vii
[ontents
Prclacc .......................................................................................................................................................... iv
An !ntroduction to 8uddhism ......................................................................................... 11
Jart I 9eities of [hinese Juddhism
Cnav+vv I
A Typical Chincsc Monastcry ......................................................................................... 21
Cnav+vv II
Chincsc 8uddhist !magcs ................................................................................................... 24
Cnav+vv III
Tc Chincsc 8uddhist Panthcon .................................................................................. 27
cscription ol Tc Chincsc Panthcon .................................................................. 27
Cnav+vv IV
Chincsc 8uddhists Fcstivc ays .................................................................................. 31
Cnav+vv V
Tc 8uddha ........................................................................................................................................... 33
Vho is Tc 8uddha: ................................................................................................................. 33
Tc Grcat nlightcnmcnt ..................................................................................................... 36
Tc Grcat cccasc ....................................................................................................................... 40
Praycrs to thc 8uddha Sakyamuni ............................................................................. 43
Cnav+vv VI
Amitabha 8uddha Namo MiTo Fwo ............................................ 46
Vho is Amitabha: ....................................................................................................................... 46
Mcthod ol PraycrRccitation ........................................................................................... 48
Purc Land 8uddhism ................................................................................................................ 50
cscription ol thc Purc Land .......................................................................................... 52
Amitabha 8uddhas Fcstivc ay ................................................................................... 58
TaShihChi Pusa ....................................................................................................................... 60
viii ix
Cnav+vv VII
Yao Shih Fwo 8haisajyaguru 8uddha .......................................................... 63
Cnav+vv VIII
Kuan Shih Yin Pusa Avalokitcsvara 8odhisattva ......................... 71
Tc Miao Shan Lcgcnd .......................................................................................................... 88
Miao Shan Kuan Forms ........................................................................................................ 91
Kuan Yin Fcstivals ....................................................................................................................... 92
Tc Hcart Sutra ............................................................................................................................... 95
Tc harani ol Grcat Compassion .......................................................................... 97
Tc Mantra ol Avalokitcsvara ..................................................................................... 100
A Praycr to Kuan Shih Yin Pusa ............................................................................ 102
Cnav+vv IX
VcnShuShihLi Pusa Manjusri 8odhisattva ............................. 106
Manjusri in China ..................................................................................................................... 110
Cnav+vv X
Pu Hsicn Pusa Samantabhadra 8odhisattva .................................... 115
Cnav+vv XI
Ti Tsang Pusa Ksitigarbha 8odhisattva ............................................... 122
cscription ol Ti Tsang Pusa .................................................................................... 124
Cnav+vv XII
MiLoFwo Maitrcya 8uddha .......................................................................... 132
Cnav+vv XIII
Kuan Ti Tc Protcctor ol 8uddhism ......................................................... 139
Cnav+vv XIV
VciTo Pusa .................................................................................................................................... 149
Cnav+vv XV
TaMo 8odhidharma
Partiarch ol Zcn 8uddhism ........................................................................................... 152
viii ix
Cnav+vv XVI
\ajrayana Tibctan 8uddhism .............................................................................. 158
Guru Padmasambhava ......................................................................................................... 159
Jart II Juddhist Teachings
Cnav+vv XVII
Vhat Tc 8uddha Taught ............................................................................................... 165
Tc Four Noblc Truths ........................................................................................................ 165
Tc Noblc ightlold Path ................................................................................................. 169
Tc Law ol thc Twclvc Causcs ................................................................................... 171
Tc Six Rcalms ol xistcncc ......................................................................................... 175
Karma Tc Law ol Causc and cct ......................................................... 178
Tc Six Paramitas ...................................................................................................................... 182
Tc iscoursc on Loving Kindncss ...................................................................... 183
Cnav+vv XVIII
8ccoming a 8uddhist ............................................................................................................ 185
Tc 8uddha ....................................................................................................................................... 187
Tc harma ...................................................................................................................................... 189
Tc Sangha ........................................................................................................................................ 189
Tc Vays ol Practicc .............................................................................................................. 190
Cnav+vv XIX
Famous Chincsc Sutras ....................................................................................................... 194
Tc Sutra ol FortyTwo Scctions .............................................................................. 194
Tc Karma Sutra ........................................................................................................................ 209
Tc iamond Sutra
( Tc \ajracchcdikaPrajnaParamita Sutra) ................................................ 215
Cnav+vv XX
Tc hammapada ..................................................................................................................... 235
Cnav+vv XXI
Tc Twclvc Principlcs ol 8uddhism ..................................................................... 250
x ..
I//ustrations
Kvx Lox Si Tv:viv ......................................................................................................................... 20
8obnibn~v:~ ...................................................................................................................................... 23
18 Lon~xs ................................................................................................................................................. 30
Tnv 8ubbn~ ........................................................................................................................................... 35
Tnv 8ubbn~ ........................................................................................................................................... 38
A:i:~nn~ 8ubbn~ ......................................................................................................................... 49
Ku~x Snin Yix Pus~ .................................................................................................................... 55
T~ Snin Cni Pus~ ........................................................................................................................... 56
Puvv L~xb ............................................................................................................................................... 59
Y~o Snin Fwo 8n~is~,v~cuvu 8ubbn~ ............................................................ 65
8n~is~,v~cuvu Tinv:~x vvic:iox ...................................................................... 69
Ku~x Snix Yix Pus~ Av~ioxi:vsv~v~ 8obnis~::v~ ......................... 73
CnivxSnouCnivxYvx Ku~x Snin Yix Pus~ ......................................... 78
Cnvxvizic FouvAv:vb Av~ioxi:vsv~v~ ...................................................... 82
Mi~o Sn~x Ku~x Yix .................................................................................................................. 93
Ku~x Snix Yix Pus~ .................................................................................................................. 105
VviSnuSniLi Pus~ M~x,usvi .......................................................................... 107
VvxSnuPus~ ................................................................................................................................ 113
S~:~x:~nn~bv~ 8obnis~::v~ ...................................................................................... 117
Pu Hsivx Pus~ ................................................................................................................................. 119
Pu Hsivx Pus~ ................................................................................................................................. 121
Ti Ts~xc Pus~ Ksi:ic~vnn~ 8obnis~::v~ ................................................ 125
Ti Ts~xc Pus~ .................................................................................................................................. 129
MiLoFwo M~i:vvv~ 8ubbn~ ............................................................................. 135
M~i:vvv~ 8ubbn~ ....................................................................................................................... 137
Ku~x Ti .................................................................................................................................................... 142
Vvi To ....................................................................................................................................................... 150
Ax !:~cv ov VviTo .................................................................................................................. 151
T~:o 8obnibn~v:~ .......................................................................................................... 155
Guvu P~b:~s~:nn~v~ ............................................................................................................ 162
Tnv Vnvvi ov Livv 12 c~usvs ov vvvxbvx: vicix~:iox .... 174
Tnv Vnvvi ov Livv ..................................................................................................................... 179
Pv~cv :o ~ii nvixcs Ku~x Snin Yix Pus~ ................................................. 254
x ..
,n Introduction to Juddhism
8uddhism is a univcrsal rcligion, onc which has brought pcacc
ol mind, happincss and harmony to millions ol pcoplc in its long
history ol morc than 2,500 ycars. !t is suitablc lor anyonc who
has a mind to pcrccivc thc Truth and who wishcs to livc his lilc
mcaninglully lor thc bcncnt ol othcrs as it tcachcs onc to havc a
rcalistic vicw ol both lilc and thc world. !t has no placc howcvcr,
lor thosc who arc sclnsh and narrowmindcd.
8uddhism docs not cncouragc blind laith nor indulgc in lright
cning and agonising pcoplc with imaginary lcars and lcclings
ol guilt in ordcr to convcrt thcm. !t is a practical rcligion which
cncouragcs its lollowcrs to rcason and qucry, cvcn thc tcachings
ol thc 8uddha. To livc thc lilc ol a 8uddhist, onc must bc rcady
to lollow thc way ol lilc that thc 8uddha has taught and this
rcquircs grcat disciplinc, dctcrmination and scllcort. Right
practicc ol thc rcligion lcads to pcacc, tranquillity, happincss,
wisdom and pcrlcct lrccdom. For thcsc and many othcr rcasons,
8uddhism has satisncd thc spiritual nccds ol morc than onc
third ol mankind.
8uddhism is a way ol lilc. !t is also a rcligion ol rcason and dis
ciplinary mcditational practiccs lcading to thc purincation ol thc
mind and clivcrancc, thc lull libcration lrom thc cyclc ol birth,
.a .
old agc, discascs and dcath. !n its long history, 8uddhism has not
shcd a singlc drop ol blood in pcrsuading pcoplc to walk its gcn
tlc path. !t is a rcligion that rcquircs all its lollowcrs to practisc
loving kindncss and compassion towards all scnticnt bcings.
Sakyamuni 8uddha was dccply conccrncd with sucring in lilc
and lor somc lortynvc ycars altcr his nlightcnmcnt, taught
ways and mcans to ovcrcomc and transccnd it. Tc 8uddhas
thcmc is thcrclorc onc ol libcration lrom all sucring and
sorrow.
Tc 8uddha cstablishcd thc Noblc rdcr ol thc Sangha, thc
community ol monks, morc than 2500 ycars ago. Altcr His
dcath (Parinirvana), His Tcachings (harma) bccamc thc solc
guidc and sourcc ol inspiration to thc Sangha. Howcvcr, thc vast
tcachings togcthcr with thcir prolundity brought about dicrcnt
undcrstanding and intcrprctations so that two main schools ol
thought camc into bcing.
At thc sccond 8uddhist Council in \aisali, hcld somc 100
ycars altcr thc dcath ol thc 8uddha, thc two grcat traditions
ol thc Hinayana and Mahayana wcrc lormally cstablishcd. Tc
Hinayanists (Tcravadins) lollow thc Pali Canon whilc thc
Mahayanists took to hcart thc scripturcs that wcrc writtcn in
Sanskrit.
Tis chart givcs a bricl summary ol thc two grcat schools ol
8uddhism: Hinayana and Mahayana.
.a .
8vivv His:ovv ov :nv
vvviov:vx: ov 8ubbnis:
Te _choo/s of Juddhism
SaxvaxuN: Buoona
Tnv S~xcn~
Tnvvavaoa
(Hix~v~x~)
ManavaNa
Ui:i:~:v Go~i
Avana+sn:v
Ui:i:~:v Go~i
Boon:sa++vanooo
Scviv:uvvs
e Pali Canon
Scviv:uvvs
Sanskrit and Translations in
Chinese & Tibetan
Scnoois
Pure Land, Chan and other
Chinese, Japanese & Tibetan
Schools.
From !ndia 8uddhism gradually sprcad out all ovcr thc Asian
contincnt with thc Tcravada bcing widcly acccptcd in Sri
Lanka, 8urma, Tailand, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia whilc
China, Mongolia, Japan, Tibct, Ncpal, Sikkim and 8hutan
acccptcd thc Mahayana School ol thought.
. .
Tc two grcat traditions sharc thc samc basic tcachings ol thc
8uddha but thcir intcrprctations ol thc idcals and practiccs arc
not quitc thc samc. Tc Tcravada, oltcn rclcrrcd to as thc Hi
nayana, locuscs on thc attainmcnt ol thc Arhat lcvcl ol rcalisa
tion whilc thc Mahayana, bcing much morc progrcssivc, libcral
and opcnmindcd, strivcs not lor scll libcration but to scrvc
mankind activcly through thc attainmcnt ol 8odhisattvahood.
Tc Mahayana rccogniscs thc wcakncss ol human bcings and
ocrs hclp in salvation through thc scrviccs ol thc 8odhisattvas.
Tis grcat conccrn and attitudc carns it thc titlc Mahayana or
Grcat \chiclc as it sccks to bcncnt all bcings by awakcning thcir
cnlightcnmcnt thought which lcads thcm to practisc thc 8odhi
sattva path. !t is opcn to all who wish to practisc it, whcthcr
monk or laity, and thcrclorc has won thc hcarts ol countlcss
pcoplc, cspccially thc Chincsc. As thc Mahayana sprcads across
thc land, it absorbcd thc dicrcnt culturcs and indigcnous bc
licls, thus allowing thc Grcat \chiclc to translorm thc wisdom
ol 8uddhahood to dicrcnt pcoplc in a varicty ol ways. Tus wc
nnd that thcrc arc morc schools ol Mahayana 8uddhism which
arc but dicrcnt paths ol practicc lcading to thc samc goal.
Hinayana 8uddhism is not a mctaphysical doctrinc but a philo
sophical onc. !t docs not spcculatc on thc origin ol thc world nor
thc cxistcncc ol God and ncithcr docs it acccpt thc divinity ol
thc 8uddha. Tc 8uddha, himscll is rcgardcd as a man, a grcat
tcachcr, but not a God or city. Tc strcss is on scllrcliancc and
it lollows thcrclorc that onc should not cxpcct miraculous hclp
lrom any dcity in hcavcn at all. nc should rathcr rcly on oncs
own corts and conduct to achicvc oncs goals.
. .
!n Hinayana, thc main aim ol thc strcnuous rcligious disci
plincs is to dcvclop oncscll into a spiritual bcing ol thc highcst
lcvcl, that ol an Avna+, a worthy onc or a pcrlcctcd bcing,
who is ablc to bring to an cnd, thc rcpcatcd rounds ol rcbirths
in thc sucring worlds known as Samsara. Vithin Samsara
arc six dicrcnt kinds ol cxistcnccs: that ol thc cvas (gods),
Asuras (dcmigods), Humans, Animals, Prctas (ghosts) and
Hcllbcings. ach bcing in thcsc worlds or rcalms arc subjcct
to thc pains ol birth, discasc, old agc and dcath which will bc
discusscd in dctails latcr on.
Mahayana 8uddhism is cvotional 8uddhism which rcquircs
its adhcrcnts to put lull laith in thc 8uddhas and 8odhisattvas
who posscss thc innnitc powcr to savc all bcings. !t is thc path
ol compassion and it rcjccts thc idca ol pursuit ol Nirvana as a
lonc qucst which is considcrcd scllccntrcd and sclnsh. !t also
tcachcs thc conccpt ol thc 8odhisattva who is lully conccrncd
in thc salvation ol all living bcings. 8odhisattvahood, thcrc
lorc, is thc goal ol thc Mahayana which rcquircs a rcsolvc to
win lull cnlightcnmcnt lor thc bcncnt ol all that livcs, and
thcrcaltcr, until 8uddhahood, passcs countlcss lilctimcs in thc
practicc ol thc Six Pcrlcctions (Paramitas) ol Giving, Moral
ity, Paticncc, Pcrscvcrancc, Mcditation and Visdom. Trough
thc practicc ol Giving, Morality and Paticncc, vast mcrits arc
gaincd, through thc practicc ol Mcditation and Visdom, tran
sccndcntal Knowlcdgc is attaincd, and in ordcr to bc succcss
lul in thcsc practiccs thc Pcrlcction ol Pcrscvcrancc must bc
accomplishcd.
.6 .,
Vhat thcn is a 8odhisattva:
Boon:sa++va is a Sanskrit tcrm with Boon: mcaning Visdom
or nlightcnmcnt, and sa++va, which mcans sscncc or 8cing.
A 8odhisattva is thus a Visdombcing or an Aspiring 8uddha
who is dctcrmincd to attain 8uddhahood.
Vhcn cnlightcncd, hc rcnounccs Nirvana and gocs on living
Samsaric cxistcnccs lor thc sakc ol othcrs, pcrlccts himscll dur
ing an incalculablc pcriod ol timc and nnally rcaliscs Nirvana
and bccomcs a Fully nlightcncd 8uddha, a Samyaksambuddha.
His main attributcs arc lovc, compassion, sclcssncss and wis
dom and his capacity lor scrvicc to othcrs is unlimitcd. Tc \ows
that hc aspircs to lulnll arc:
Jo.e+er innumerab/e sentient beings are, I +o. to sa+e them.
Jo.e+er inexhaustib/e the def/ements are, I +o. to extinguish them.
Jo.e+er immeasurab/e the 9harmas are, I +o. to master them.
Jo.e+er diqcu/t 8n/ightenment is, I +o. to attain it!
Tcsc grcat \ows thus commit thc 8odhisattva to lcad all bcings
to libcration and to rcmain in this world till thc cnd, cvcn lor thc
sakc ol a singlc bcing. Tcy arc known as thc 8odhisattva \ows
which all Mahayanists should practisc.
A 8odhisattva is usually prcscntcd as thc pcrsonincation ol a
particular trait ol thc 8uddha, and as thcrc arc numcrous such
.6 .,
traits, so also arc thcrc dicrcnt 8odhisattvas. A transccndcnt
8odhisattva who cnjoys thc most dcvotion and popularity as
hclpcr to libcration is Avaiox:+vsvava (Kuan Shih Yin), who
is thc compassionatc aspcct ol thc 8uddha. Hc and othcr popu
lar Cclcstial 8odhisattvas dcscribcd in this book will hclp to
rcmovc incorrcct idcas and spcculativc doubts lrom thc minds ol
thosc who havc littlc or no knowlcdgc ol thc 8odhisattvas ol thc
Mahayana tcachings.
Vhilc thc Hinayana Arhat accumulatcs mcritorious karma lor
his own salvation through lollowing and practising thc tcach
ings ol thc 8uddha, hc also scrvcs othcrs though his capacity to
do so is limitcd. Tc Mahayana 8odhisattva, on thc othcr hand,
rclcntlcssly carrics out his mission ol univcrsal salvation, translcr
ring his vast mcrits to thc lcss lortunatc oncs so that thcy too
may cnjoy thc lruits ol such mcrits. Tus thc 8odhisattva !dcal
brings about much hopc lor thc downtroddcn and providcs a
noblc goal to thosc who arc scriously on thc 8uddhas path. Tc
Arhat idcal may not sound as noblc as that ol thc 8odhisattva
but it docs not ncccssarily mcan that thc Mahayana is in any way
supcrior to thc Hinayana practicc. 8oth arc idcal paths that lcad
to cnlightcnmcnt and thosc who arc aspiring to bccomc Arhats
arc not ncccssarily sclnsh sincc Arhatship cannot bc attaincd il
thcrc is cvcn thc slightcst tingc ol sclnshncss lclt in his bcing. A
truc 8uddhist will not indulgc in glorilying his path ol practicc,
hc should rcalisc that without thc Hinayana thcrc can bc no
Mahayana path. Vhat is morc important is that thcy both sharc
thc samc lundamcntal tcachings such as:
. .
1. Sakyamuni 8uddha as thc riginal 8uddha.
2. Tcrc is no suprcmc dcity who crcatcd thc world and
govcrncd it.
3. Tc Four Noblc Truths.
4. Tc Noblc ightlold Path.
5. Tc Truth ol cpcndcnt rigination (Patticasamupada).
6. Tc conccpts on !mpcrmancncc (Anicca), Sucring
(ukkha) and Nonscll (Anatta).
7. Tc Trcc Trainings (Trisiksa) ol Morality (sila),
Mcditation (samadhi) and Visdom (prajna).
8oth Schools ol 8uddhism cntcrcd China a lcw hundrcd ycars
altcr thc 8uddhas dcath but thc Mahayana took nrm roots in thc
hcarts ol thc Chincsc as can bc sccn by thc numbcr ol Mahayana
Sccts that cvcntually dcvclopcd.
[hinese Juddhism
Historical rccord has it that two 8uddhist missionarics lrom
!ndia, on thc 30th day ol thc 12th month, in thc ycar 68 ao,
arrivcd at thc court ol mpcror Ming (rulcd 5875 ao) ol thc
Han ynasty. Tcy cnjoycd impcrial lavours and staycd on to
translatc various 8uddhists Tcxts, onc ol which, Tc Sutra in
Fortytwo Scctions, cnjoycd widc popularity which continucs to
bc so cvcn today. 8uddhism soon took roots in thc Chincsc soil
covcring thc cntirc country with monastcrics which wclcomc all
who lclt a call to cntcr a monastic lilc. Tcsc monastcrics sub
sistcd on a common lund sustaincd by gilts lrom thc charitablc.
Tcy bccamc a rclugc lor thc unhappy, thc unwantcd and thosc
who havc noblc intcntions.
. .
Vhat gavc thc carly 8uddhists thcir popularity can bc attributcd
mainly to thc doctrincs ol thc common brothcrhood ol mcn and
thc Law ol Causc and cct. Tis taught that cvcry good act
such as worship, charity, rcading and printing scripturcs, wish
ing lor thc good ol othcrs and othcr good dccds would inlallibly
causc good rcsults. Tc rcwards ol thcir laith in thc compassion
and saving powcrs ol thc 8uddhas and 8odhisattvas and othcr
Mahayana tcachings casily attractcd a grcat lollowing. Morc
ovcr, onc could bc a good 8uddhist without actually cntcring thc
rdcr, as was impossiblc according to thc Hinayana. Anothcr
vcry important lactor which hclpcd to sprcad and populariscd
Mahayana 8uddhism was its nonrcjcction ol thc pcoplcs cthnic
laiths so that thcir gods and spirits wcrc absorbcd into its vast
panthcon. Tcrc was no rcal harm in worshipping such dcitics so
long as it was rccogniscd that cnglightcnmcnt could bc won only
by lollowing thc way ol thc 8uddha and not gaincd through
godly worship. Tc Chincsc could thus continuc to turn to thcir
gods lor worldly boons such as succcss in lovc aairs, busincss,
gaining wcalth, rccovcring ol illncss and cvcn rcqucsting lor
cxtcnsion ol lilc. Tis may sccm a supcrstitious practicc but do
not pcoplc ol othcr laiths also pray to thcir gods lor such hclp:
Chincsc 8uddhism has thcrclorc, its own uniquc avour and
bcauty sincc it has, to a ccrtain cxtcnt, bccn inucnccd by Tao
ist thoughts. Tus thc Chincsc Panthcon camc into bcing. Tc
solc intcntion ol producing this book is to providc usclul inlor
mation to thc uninlormcd 8uddhists who worship such ngurcs
in thc tcmplcs. !t also scrvcs to cxplain to non8uddhists that
8uddhists oltcn rcspcct and honour gods and dcitics but do not
takc rclugc in thcm.
ac a.
As a rcsult ol thc sccds sown by thc !ndian missionarics,
8uddhism soon owcrcd into a numbcr ol distinctivc schools
which wcrc thc products ol thc Chincsc mind. ach ol thcsc
schools dcvclopcd its own mcthod ol practicc basing on a par
ticular tcxt and appcaling to dicrcnt scts ol pcoplc. Tc most
outstanding schools amongst thcm bcing thc Ticntai, Hua
Ycn, Chan and Purc Land. Tc Purc Land School with its casy
mcthod ol practicc that lcads to salvation, togcthcr with such
a lovablc dcity as thc Grcatly Compassionatc Kuan Shih Yin
Pusa casily won thc largcst numbcr ol adhcrcnts to makc it thc
principal school ol 8uddhism among thc Chincsc. Kuan Yin is
so popular that Shc is cvcn worshippcd in Taoist tcmplcs as thc
Goddcss ol Mcrcy.
Kvx Iox S: Tvxviv
ac a.
Cnav+vv I
, Typica/ [hinese onastery
Tc Chincsc 8uddhist monastcry or tcmplc is lashioncd altcr
thc palaccs and bcars vcry littlc rcscmblancc to that ol tcmplcs in
!ndia or any othcr 8uddhist countrics. Gcncrally thcrc arc thrcc
groups ol buildings scparatcd by courtyards. Tc monastcry, likc
othcr Chincsc structurcs, normally laccs south.
ntcring thc lront hall, onc is conlrontcd by lour hugc imagcs,
usually madc ol wood, two on cach sidc. Tcsc arc thc Four
Hcavcnly Kings or cvas, thc Guardians ol thc lour ircctions,
and thc hall is namcd altcr thcm as thc S: T:vN WaNc T:vN.
!n this hall too, onc is grcctcd at thc cntrancc, by thc lovablc and
kindly 8uddhatobc, Maitrcya 8uddha, known to thc Chincsc
as thc Laughing 8uddha or Tapao MiLciFwo, who has a lat
paunch, looking joyously towards thc cntrancc. ircctly bchind
MiLciFwo, oltcn scparatcd by a wall, is thc grcat cva Vci
to, thc Protcctor ol 8uddhist tcmplcs and Faith. Hc is dcpictcd
clad in lull armour and holding cithcr a gnarlcd sta or a sccptrc
shapcd wcapon ol assault rcsting on thc ground. VciTo, who is
a gcncral undcr thc Four Hcavcnly Kings, is also accordcd thc
titlc ol Protcctor ol 8uddhist 8ooks. Hc is always lacing thc
Grcat Hall known as thc Ta-HuNc-Pau-T:vN which is scpa
ratcd lrom thc lront hall by a wall or a courtyard.
!n thc Grcat Hall thc main altar is lound along with thc imagcs
ol Sakyamuni 8uddha and his two lorcmost disciplcs Maha
aa a
kasyapa and Ananda, or othcr 8uddhas ol thc past cras. Tc
arrangcmcnt and choicc ol pcrsonagcs in this altar varics lrom
tcmplc to tcmplc. Most ol thc timc Sakyamuni 8uddha is dc
pictcd in thc attitudc ol contcmplation with his disciplcs ank
ing him. Tcmplcs dcdicatcd to Amitabha 8uddha havc his imagc
at thc ccntrc, Sakyamuni 8uddha and 8ahaisajyaguru, bcttcr
known to thc Chincsc as YaoShihFwo, cach accompanicd by
two disciplcs. To thc right and lclt ol thc main altar onc usually
nnds thc two Grcat 8odhisattvas, Manjusri (VcnShuShih
Li) and Samantabhadra (PuHsicn). Tc placcmcnts ol pcrson
agcs arc not rcally nxcd so that onc may oltcn nnd Sakyamuni
8uddha bcing ankcd by Amitabha (Mi TwoFwo) and Yao
ShinFwo (Mcdicinc 8uddha), thc two grcat 8uddhas ol past
cras. At othcr timcs a singlc 8uddha is sccn scatcd bctwccn his
two 8odhisattvas, Sakyamuni (Shih JiaMoNiFwo) bctwccn
Manjusri and Samantabhadra or Amitabha 8uddha with Avalo
kitcsvara (Kuan Yin) and Mahasthamaprata (TaShihChih).
Tcmplcs dcdicatcd to Kuan Shih Yin Pusa will havc hcr ankcd
by VcnshuShihLi and PuHsicn.
n thc cast and wcst sidcs ol thc walls ol this Grcat Hall arc
oltcn arrangcd thc ngurcs ol thc ightccn Arhats (Lohans)
who arc rcprcscntcd as posscssing various kinds ol supcrnatural
powcr. Along thc north wall arc oltcn lound thc imagcs ol Jan
tcng Fwo or ipankara, thc ancicnt 8uddha who prcdictcd
Sakyamunis 8uddhahood, and thc popular 8odhisattvas such
as Kuan Yin, Vcnshu, PuHsicn and Titsang (Ksitigarbha),
or othcr 8odhisattvas. \cry oltcn, imagcs ol Kuan Ti, thc Pro
tcctor ol 8uddhism, can also bc lound in this hall. !t is hcrc at
aa a
thc TaHungPauTicn that dcvout 8uddhists ocr thcir praycrs
and ocrings ol owcrs, lruits and othcr gilts which arc placcd
on thc tablc in lront ol thc main altar. \cry oltcn, bchind thc
ccntral imagcs ol this hall and lacing northwards, is placcd thc
imagcs ol Kuan Yin Pusa.
Tc third, or 8ack Hall, at thc back is usually dividcd into scvcral
smallcr halls (Ticn) or rooms. Tc ccntral hall is gcncrally thc al
tar ol a 8uddha or a 8odhisattva, thc right housing thc luncrary
tablct ol thc tcmplc loundcr, whilc thc lclt may bc thc Tcaching
or Mcditation Hall. n thc sidc or bchind thcsc main buildings
arc thc living quartcrs, thc dining arca and thc kitchcn.
Boon:onavxa
a a
Cnav+vv II
[hinese Juddhist Images
Much abusc or unkind rcmarks havc bccn hcapcd upon Chincsc
8uddhists accusing thcm as bcing idolators bccausc ol thcir usc
ol imagcs in thcir tcmplcs. Accusations ol such naturc only rc
vcal thc ignorancc ol thosc who madc thcm as thc principlc ol
thc usc ol imagcs in placcs ol worship should bc vicwcd as sym
bolical and not idol worship. !t should bc strcsscd that all thc
imagcs that arc lound in thc tcmplcs or homc shrincs only scrvc
as rcmindcrs ol thcir rcspcctivc qualitics. For cxamplc, whcn a
8uddhist knccls down bclorc thc imagc ol thc 8uddha, hc docs
not worship thc holy imagc but brings to mind thc grcat com
passion ol thc nlightcncd nc who has taught him thc way to
libcration.
!dolatory is not what 8uddhists practisc and only thc unkind
pcrson will choosc to dcridc thc usc ol holy imagcs in thc tcm
plcs. Hc should havc thc wisdom to rcalisc that no rcligion in
thc world can do away with symbolism, whcthcr thcy bc human
or othcrwisc, lor without symbolism, idcntincation would bc
quitc impossiblc. Tc world, in lact, cannot cxist without sym
bolism and it can salcly bc said that only civilisations as old and
advanccd in culturc as China arc ablc to bring lorth symbolic
imagcs such as thosc produccd by thc Chincsc pcoplc. Tc im
agcs uscd in thc Chincsc tcmplcs arc thcrclorc usclul aids to
gcncrating laith and dcvotion in thc minds ol thc bclicvcrs and
arc objccts worthy ol rcvcrcncc.
a a
Upon cntcring thc lront hall ol thc tcmplc, onc is mct with thc
idca ol protcction lrom thc cclcstial bcings and as onc stands
bclorc thc 8uddhas imagc, onc is rcmindcd ol Sakyamunis com
passion, bcncvolcncc and wisdom. Looking at thc 8odhisattvas
imagcs hc sccs thcir particular attributcs so that Kuan Yins im
agc instantly rcminds him ol hcr innnitc mcrcy, compassion and
othcr gcntlc qualitics. Many a troublcd mind havc lound solacc
and comlort upon looking at thc swcct imagc ol Kuan Yin. vcn
thc animals which arc portraycd with thc dcitics havc thcir own
symbolic mcanings. Tus Fu Hsicns grcat whitc clcphant indi
catcs purity, caution, strcngth, gcntlcncss and a wcighty dignity
whilc thc lion ol Vcnshu rcprcscnts honour, boldncss, bravcry
and a lrcsh, cagcr and advancing spirit as wcll as thc wild and
almost untamcablc spirit ol thc unruly mind which onc must
cvcntually subduc in ordcr to gain wisdom and cnlightcnmcnt.
!n thc Arhats imagcs onc sccs thosc who havc pcrlcctcd thcm
sclvcs by ridding thcir worldly passions and carncd thc lrccdom
lrom samsaric sucrings. Such is thc symbolism ol thc Chincsc
8uddhist imagcs which onc should know ol instcad ol jumping
into wrong conclusions, which arc thc causcs ol illwill. Tcrc
lorc whcn a 8uddhist bows bclorc a holy imagc and makcs his
ocrings, onc should know that this is but an act ol rcspcct and
vcncration to thc 8uddhas and 8odhisattvas.
a,
Tnv Cnixvsv 8ubbnis: P~x:nvox
a,
Cnav+vv III
Te [hinese Juddhist Jantheon
Tc 8uddhist Panthcon has a vast numbcr ol citics in thc
sccmingly cndlcss variation ol lorms so that it is quitc impossiblc
to portray thcm in any onc illustration. Most ol thcsc citics lall
into thc catcgory ol 8uddhas, 8odhisattvas, Arahants and othcr
Hcavcnly 8cings. Tc illustration ol thc Chincsc Panthcon only
dcpicts thc most popular citics whom thc Chincsc adorc and
thcrc is anothcr popular illustration which includcs thc ightccn
Lohans that can bc lound in many tcmplcs and homcs ol thc
8uddhists.
9escription of the [hinese Jantheon
Tc Trinity ol thc 8uddhas on thc top row ol thc illustration
consists ol thc historical SaxvaxuN: Buoona who is scatcd
in thc ccntrc and is attcndcd by his two lorcmost disciplcs. Tc
oldcr monk standing on his lclt is Manaxasvava, who latcr bc
camc thc First Patriarch ol 8uddhism altcr thc 8uddhas dcath.
Tc young monk on his right is ANaNoa, his pcrsonal attcndant,
who was wcll known lor his grcat mcmory powcr and ability to
rcpcat accuratcly all thc tcachings that had bccn spokcn by thc
8uddha. Hc latcr bccamc thc Sccond Patriarch ol 8uddhism.
a a
Tc two most adorcd 8uddhas ol thc distant past, whosc cxist
cncc wcrc rcvcalcd to us by Sakyamuni 8uddha himscll, arc
shown scatcd by his sidcs. Ax:+anna Buoona, Tc 8uddha
ol 8oundlcss Light and Limitlcss Lilc, thc Crcator ol thc Vcst
crn Paradisc (Sukhavati) whcrc all Purc Land 8uddhists hopc
to takc rcbirth into, sits on thc right hand sidc ol Sakyamuni
8uddha. Bna:sajva-Guvu, thc Hcaling 8uddha, thc Crcator
ol thc astcrn Paradisc, also known as thc Mcdicinc 8uddha
bccausc ol his hcaling powcrs, is scatcd on thc lclt.
Just bclow thc 8uddhas arc thc Trcc Grcat 8odhisattvas. A
8odhisattva or Pusa, in Chincsc, is an nlightcncd 8cing who
lorsakcs Nirvana and acccpts rcbirth into thc sucring worlds
ol Samsara lor thc sakc ol rclicving thc pains ol scnticnt bcings
and lcading thcm to thc path ol cnlightcnmcnt. Tc six sam
saric rcalms or worlds arc thosc bclonging to thc gods, asuras,
humans, animals, ghosts and hcllbcings.
KuaN Sn:N Y:N Pusa or Avalokitcsvara 8odhisattva can bc
sccn scatcd just bclow Sakyamuni 8uddha and is ankcd by hcr
two lamous disciplcs GoiovN You+n and ]aov G:vi. 8cing
thc pcrsonincation ol Compassion, Kuan Yin is casily thc most
popular ol all thc citics ol thc cntirc panthcon.
WvN-Snu Pusa or Manjusri 8odhisattva, thc cmbodimcnt
ol Visdom, is thc ngurc scatcd upon thc lion which rcprcscnts
thc wild mind which mcditation translorms. Pu Hs:vN Pusa
or Samantabhadra 8odhisattva, thc pcrsonincation ol Pcrlcct
Activity and Happincss, is dcpictcd as scatcd upon thc whitc
a a
clcphant. Shc also rcprcscnts activc lovc, virtuc, diligcnt training
and paticncc.
T:-TsaNc WaNc Pusa or Ksitigarbha, thc cmbodimcnt ol
8cncvolcncc, thc only 8odhisattva dcpictcd in a monks attirc,
is scatcd just bclow Kuan Yin Pusa. His two disciplcs, a lathcr
and son combination, arc MuNc KuNc and monk Tao M:Nc.
M:-Io Iwo or Maitrcya 8uddha, or thc 8uddhatocomc and
oltcn rclcrrcd to as thc Laughing 8uddha, sits bclow Titsang
Pusa. Hc is ankcd by KuaN T:, thc Protcctor ol thc 8uddhist
rcligion, on his right, and Wv:-To, thc Protcctor ol 8uddhist
harma, on his lclt.
Tc rcst ol thc magninccnt ngurcs, all clad in complctc armour,
arc thc lamous S:-Ta-T:vN-WaNc, or thc Four Grcat Kings ol
cvas. Tcsc Four Guardian Kings ol thc lour dircctions rcp
rcscnt thc protcction ol thc 8uddhas and thc Patriarchs and arc
activcly involvcd with thc aairs ol thc world. Mo-I: Cn:Nc,
thc Guardian ol thc ast, holds a magical mandolin or pipa,
whilc Mo-I: Ha:, thc Guardian ol thc Vcst, has with him thc
magic dragon. n thc othcr sidc, Mo-I: Snou, thc Guardian ol
thc North, is sccn holding an umbrclla, at thc clcvation ol which
darkncss cnvclopcs thc world or a violcnt and thundcrous storm
commcnccs. Mo-I: HuNc, thc Guardian ol thc South, who
posscsscs a black countcnancc and lcrocious cxprcssion, has in
his hand a prccious sword.
c .
Tc I:cn+vvN Avna+s (LoHans), not dcpictcd in this illus
tration but oltcn appcaring in othcr vcrsions ol thc Chincsc
8uddhist Panthcon, arc usually rcprcscntcd as posscssing vari
ous kinds ol supcrnatural powcr, symboliscd cithcr by objccts
hcld in thcir hands or by wild animals crouching submissivcly
bcsidc thcm. Tcsc arc pcrlcctcd bcings who havc listcncd and
practiscd thc tcachings ol thc 8uddha. !n Chincsc 8uddhism
thcrc arc a numbcr ol lamous groups ol Arhants ol which this
group ol cightccn is thc most popular.
IN +nv Gvva+ Haii +nv I:cn+vvN IonaNs avv vouNo N:Nv oN
vacn s:ov ov +nv waiis. Tnv anovv v:c+uvv oNiv snows vav+ ov
+nv N:Nv IonaNs oN oNv s:ov. INcvNsv avv ov+vN ovvvvvo +o
+nvx as a xavx ov vvsvvc+ vov +nv:v sv:v:+uai a++a:NxvN+s.
c .
Cnav+vv IV
[hinese Juddhists /esti+e 9ays
Tcsc arc thc holy days that Chincsc 8uddhists cclcbratc by vis
iting tcmplcs to makc ocrings ol praycrs, inccnsc, lruits, ow
crs and donations. n such days thcy obscrvc thc moral prcccpts
vcry strictly as wcll as a lull days vcgctarian dict, a practicc
originally lrom China.
Tc datcs givcn arc bascd on thc Chincsc Lunar systcm so that
1.1 mcans thc First day ol thc First lunar moon and so on.
a+vs Ivs+:vais
8.12 8uddha Sakyamunis nlightcnmcnt ay.
30.12 Avatamsaka 8odhisattvas 8irthday.
1.1 Maitrcya 8uddhas 8irthday.
9.1 Sakra cvarajas 8irthday
8.2 Sakyamunis Rcnunciation ay
15.2 Sakyamuni 8uddhas MahapariNirvana ay
19.2 8irthday ol Kuan Shih Yin Pusa.
21.2 8irthday ol Pu Hsicn Pusa
16.3 8irthday ol Cundi Pusa
a
23.3 8irthday ol Marichi cvata
4.4 8irthday ol Vcnshu Pusa
8.4 8irthday ol 8uddha Sakyamuni
15.4 Vcsak ay
28.4 8irthday ol YaoVang Pusa (8haisajyaraja
8odhisattva)
3.6 8irthday ol Vcito
10.6 8irthday ol Guru Rinpochc (Padmasambhava)
19.6 nlightcnmcnt ay ol Kuan Shih Yin Pusa
13.7 8irthday ol TaShihChi Pusa
15.7 Yulanpcn (Ullambana) Ccrcmony, lor lccding
hungry ghosts.
30.7 8irthday ol Titsang Pusa
22.8 8irthday ol thc ancicnt 8uddha Jantcng
(ipankara 8uddha)
19.9 Kuan Shih Yin Pusas Rcnunciation ay, thc
day that marks hcr cntcring into thc nunncry.
30.9 8irthday ol Yaoshi Fwo (8haisajyaguru
8uddha)
5.10 Annivcrsary ol thc dcath ol Tamo
(8odhidharma)
17.11 8irthday ol mito Fwo (Amitabha 8uddha)
a
Cnav+vv V
Te Juddha
8uddhism is a way ol lilc, a rcligion which is bascd on thc practicc
ol disciplinc according to thc tcachings ol thc 8uddha Siddharta
Gautama who is also known as thc 8uddha Sakyamuni. Tc word
8uddha dcrivcs lrom thc root Sanskrit word 8udh which
mcans to know. !t is uscd as a titlc to dcnotc an nlightcncd
8cing onc who has attaincd, by, his own pcrsonal corts and
mcrit, thc pinnaclc ol intcllcct and divinc knowlcdgc.
8uddhism is a rcligion ol pcacc and loving kindncss, in thc
namc ol which no blood was cvcr shcd in its long history, thcrc
had ncvcr bccn any association with killing and dcstruction in
its manncr ol pcrsuading pcoplc to walk its gcntlc path. !t is a
rcligion ol rcason and mcditation and its nnal goal is clivcr
ancc, mcaning thc Libcration ol thc Scll lrom thc cyclc ol birth,
old agc, discasc and dcath.
7ho is Te Juddha?
Historically, this rclcrs to Siddharta Gautama who was born
in 560 nc to Quccn Mahamaya and King Suddhodanna ol thc
Sakya Kingdom in thc vicinity ol Ncpal. Tc quccn had, prior
to thc birth ol thc child, a drcam ol a bcautilul whitc clcphant
cntcring hcr womb through hcr sidc. Gautama was born in
Lumbini Park on a lullmoon day in thc month ol \csakha. A
wcck altcr his birth, his mothcr dicd and hc was brought up by
his aunt, Mahaprajapati. At a namc giving ccrcmony hc was
givcn thc namc Siddharta which mcans nc Vhosc Aim !s
Accomplishcd.
Ancicnt Pali commcntarics rclatc a signincant incidcnt which
occurcd during thc Ploughing Ccrcmony, whcn as a young child
and lclt alonc in a tcnt undcr a roscapplc trcc, his nurscs latcr
lound thc princc to bc scatcd in a lotus posturc and having cn
tcrcd oncpointcdncss ol mind known as Samadhi.
Tc young princc grcw up in thc midst ol luxury and splcndour
and at thc agc ol 16, was marricd to his cousin, thc bcautilul
Yasodhara. For almost thirtccn ycars altcr his marriagc, hc lcd a
blisslul lilc unawarc ol thc cvcr changing naturc and mislortuncs
ol lilc outsidc thc palacc.
Vhcn hc was 29 ycars old Gautama cncountcrcd lour signincant
sights which markcd thc turning point ol his lilc. First hc saw a
wcak and lrail old man lcaning on a sta, ncxt a discascd pcrson,
thcn a corpsc and nnally, a shavcnhcadcd hcrmit in ycllow robc
moving around with a pcacclul and scrcnc countcnancc. Tc nrst
thrcc sights convincingly showcd him thc incxorablc naturc ol
lilc, and thc univcrsal ailmcnts ol humanity, thc lourth showcd
thc mcans to ovcrcomc thc ills ol lilc and to attain to calm and
pcacc. Rcalising thc worthlcssncss ol scnsual plcasurcs and thc
valuc ol rcnunciation hc dccidcd to lcavc homc in scarch ol Truth
and tcrnal Pcacc.
Tnv Buoona
6 ,
!t was altcr this dccision was madc that hc hcard ol thc birth
ol his son, and rcgarding thc ncw born child as an impcdimcnt
rathcr than a blcssing, namcd him Rahula mcaning lcttcr. !t
was a clcar indication that his hcart was alrcady turning away
lrom houschold lilc. n that night, hc lclt his uncongcnial pal
acc and tradcd his princcly robcs lor thc lowly clothings ol an
ascctic. His scarch lor truth and pcacc had bcgun and it was
morc lrom sympathy with thc sucrings ol othcrs than lrom any
pcrsonal sorrow which hc had no occasion to cxpcricncc.
His dcparturc lrom homc was not a casc ol dcscrtion ol his bc
lovcd lamily, but an unprcccdcntcd casc ol historic rcnunciation.
Hc lclt his worldly lilc not in old agc but in thc primc ol man
hood, not in povcrty but in thc midst ol plcnty.
Following thc path ol cxtrcmc asccticism, as was thc custom ol
thosc days, hc was not ablc to scck what hc sought lor until hc
gavc up thc practicc ol austcrity somc six ycars latcr.
Te Qreat 8n/ightenment
nc day, in thc lorcst at 8uddha Gaya, altcr a last mcal ol milk
ricc, Gautama sat down, crosscdlcggcd, on a grass mat sprcad
undcr a 8odhi trcc, and dcclarcd, !l ! do not succccd in this
way ol sccking thc truth by scarching within, ! will not risc
lrom this placc. His mind soon bccamc tranquil and purincd
and hc thcn attaincd thc Samadhi that hc had cxpcricnccd in
his youth.
6 ,
uring mcditativc tranccs in that nights thrcc watchcs hc
gaincd thc knowlcdgc ol all his past livcs, acquircd thc supcr
human divinc cyc by which hc cnvisagcd thc passing away
and rcbirth ol all living bcings ol all timcs. !t was likc that ol
thc wholc univcrsc appcaring bclorc him as a mirror. Hc saw
that good karma brings about a happy rcbirth and cvil karma
lcads to a miscrablc ncxt lilc. Tcn, at thc third watch (2.00 am
6.00 am), hc rcachcd thc highcst statc in which thc outows
ol his lilc i.c., his ignorancc and cravings, wcrc nnally qucllcd.
!t was thcn that hc pcrccivcd thc Four Noblc Truths ol thc way
ol nlightcnmcnt, noting, Tis is Sucring, this is thc Causc
ol Sucring, this is thc Ccssation ol Sucring, and this is thc
Path lcading to thc Ccssation ol Sucring. Tus ignorancc
was dispcllcd and wisdom arosc. 8cing cnlightcncd, hc rcal
iscd, Rcbirth is cndcd, lulnllcd thc Holy Lilc, donc what was
to bc donc, thcrc is no morc this statc again. Tcrcaltcr hc was
known as 8uddha Gautama, onc ol thc long linc ol 8uddhas
that alrcady had appcarcd in thc past and will appcar in thc
luturc.
Tus at thc agc ol 35, Gautama, undcr thc lull moon in thc
month ol \csakha (April May), about thc ycar 525 nc at a
placc callcd 8uddha Gaya, attaincd thc Suprcmc nlightcnmcnt
and 8uddhism was born to thc world. Tc 8uddha thcn spcnt
scvcn wccks contcmplating on thc Truth that hc had rcaliscd,
particularly thc morc dimcult oncs on causal rclations or thc
Truth ol cpcndcnt rigination.
Tnv Buoona
ethod of Jrayer-_ecitation
Vhilc practising nicnlwo it is important to adopt a corrcct sit
ting posturc, a conccntratcd mind which is laithnllcd and a nrm
dcsirc to bc rcborn in thc Purc Land ol Amitabha. nc must
also bc awarc that salvation is not acctcd solcly by Amitabhas
powcrs but mainly by oncs own constant cort in thc practicc. !t
is prclcrablc to havc an imagc ol thc 8uddha in lront so that thc
cycs can look at it during thc rccitation. And whilc thc mouth
rccitcs thc 8uddhas namc, thc cars listcn attcntivcly to thc six
syllablcs Na-Mo-O-M:-To-Iwo so that thc mind is in lull
conccntration and not allowcd to movc about lrccly.
8cginncrs will nnd that thcy arc laccd with a scattcrcd mind
which makc thcm rcstlcss, lccl hcavy or cvcn lrustratcd. Tis
outcomc is quitc normal so that thcy should not givc up thc
practicc casily but instcad rccognisc thc lact that thcir minds
havc bccn lacking in conccntration and disciplinc. Tcy should
also apprcciatc having lound a practicc which will hclp thcm
to gct rid ol thcir unruly minds and acccpt thc grcat challcngc
to succccd instcad ol bcing discouragcd. Vith paticncc, thcy
should try hardcr and continuc thc rccitation with rcncwcd vig
our. Altcr somc timc thc rcsult ol thcir corts will bc lclt as thc
quictmind ariscs and thcn nicnlwo will hcncclorth bc quitc
casy to practisc.
Tc morc advanccd oncs may practisc rcciting thc 8uddhas
namc whilc mcditating on thc mcntal imagc ol Him or Tc
Purc Land sccnc which shows Amitabha 8uddha bcing ankcd
by His lorcmost disciplcs Kuan Shih Yin Pusa and TaShihChi
Ax:+anna Buoona
c .
Pusa and surroundcd by thc asscmbly ol ivinitics. Constant
practisc will cvcntually lcad onc to arrivc at a stagc ol pcrlcct
conccntration so that thc 8uddha is in his mouth as hc rccitcs
His namc, in his cars as hc listcns to thc rccitation, and in his
mind as hc visualiscs Him.
Jure and Juddhism
Purc Land 8uddhism known as thc Lotus School ol 8uddhism
or Cn:Nc Tu, is, in short, thc 8uddhism ol Faith and cvotion
mcant lor thosc lacking in wisdom to comprchcnd thc prolound
tcachings ol thc 8uddha Sakyamuni, and thcrclorc having to rc
sort to thc usc ol Faith in thc saving powcr ol Amitabha 8uddha.
!t is thcrclorc callcd thc casy path sincc thc way to attain rc
birth in thc Purc Land is by way ol a simplc laith and a simplc
invocation. Tc Purc Land is also callcd thc Vcstcrn Paradisc
sincc it is locatcd in thc lar distant Vcstcrn Quartcrs ol thc
Univcrsc. !t should bc trcatcd as a stcpping stonc to Nirvana and
thcrclorc bcings who takc rcbirth thcrc arc not to bc considcrcd
as cnlightcncd bcings.
Purc Land 8uddhism is Mahayana 8uddhism as it tcachcs thc
univcrsality ol salvation. !ts particular duty is to givc hclp to
common bcings so that nlightcnmcnt is not lcss acccssiblc to
thcm cvcn though thcy arc not intclligcnt cnough to undcrstand
thc harma. Tc 8uddhas compassion is innnitc and hc cxists
to savc all bcings in thc univcrsc whcthcr thcy arc wisc or stu
pid bccausc thc 8uddhanaturc is cqually prcscnt in all ol thcm.
Ching Tu thus bccamc thc most acccptablc lorm ol 8uddhism
c .
in China as thc largcr part ol its populacc do not bclong to thc
scholarly class. !t should not bc lookcd upon as a lowly mcthod
ol practicc lor whcthcr onc chooscs to practisc thc casy way ol
laith or thc dimcult way ol wisdom, thc ultimatc goal is thc
samc just as onc can climb up a mountain top lrom thc north,
south, cast or wcst sidc.
Tnv Puvv IaNo Ov Ax:+anna Buoona (Suxnava+:)
Tc abovc illustration is lrom an old Tibctan Tcxt which dcpicts
thc granducr ol Sukhavati or thc Vcstcrn Paradisc ol Amitabha
8uddha. !t is a paradisc which is rich and prospcrous, comlort
ablc, lcrtilc, dclightlul and crowdcd with 8odhisattvas, cvas
and mcn. !n this 8uddhancld thcrc arc no hcll, no animals, no
ghosts or cvil spirits, no Asuras and nonc ol thc inauspicious placcs
ol rcbirth. !t is cmpty ol sucring ol any kind. !n this Purc !and
swcct lragrancc nlls thc air and it is rich in a grcat varicty ol ow
crs and lruits, various plumcd birds with cxotic swcct voiccs sing
vcrscs ol thc harma and bcjcwclcd trccs ol many colours can bc
lound cvcrywhcrc. Amitabha 8uddha can bc sccn at thc ccntrc ol
thc picturc surroundcd by thc happy bcings ol thc rcalm.
a
9escription of the Jure and
Tc lull dcscription ol thc Purc Land can bc rcad lrom thc
Sutras rclatcd to Amitabha 8uddha c.g., Sukhavativyuha Sutra
or thc Amitayus Sutra. Amitayus is thc othcr namc lor Amita
bha 8uddha mcaning 8oundlcss or !nnnitc Lilc bccausc his lilc
span (ayuh) is innnitc (amita).
8ricy it is a paradisc in thc Vcst which is cxquisitcly adorncd
with gold and silvcr and all kinds ol prccious gcms. Tcrc arc in
dcscribably bcautilul lakcs with goldcn sand that arc surroundcd
by plcasant banks lincd with jcwcllcd trccs and covcrcd with
hcavcnly lotus owcrs which arc grown in crystal purc watcr. !t
is nllcd with wondrous sounds and sights and lragrant owcrs
rain down thrcc timcs a day. Tc owing watcrs ol thc rivcrs
hum thc sounds ol thc holy dharma, cvcn thc mclodics lrom thc
songs ol plumcd birds arc nllcd with harmonious notcs which
inducc thosc who hcar thcm to rcmcmbcr thc prccious 8uddha,
harma and Sangha. Hcrc too thc words ol Amitabha 8uddha
tcaching lovc, mcrcy, compassion, joy, sympathy, cquanimity
and so lorth can bc hcard. vcrything in this paradisc is radi
ant, pcacclul and bcautilul. No dcnlcmcnt can bc lound as no
cvil birth is possiblc, and cvcn thc vcry namc hcll is unhcard ol.
!t is populatcd by 8odhisattvas, citics and othcr hcavcnly bc
ings and thc pious oncs who bcing rcborn thcrc, arc dcstincd to
attain Nirvana.
!n thc Purc Land, Amitabha 8uddha is assistcd by two principal
attcndants namcly, Kuan Shih Yin Pusa and Ta Shih Chi Pusa,
who will dcsccnd to carth to lcad thc laithlul and dcvotcd to thc
a
paradisc at thcir hour ol dcath. 8uddhist tcmplcs dcdicatcd to
Amitabha 8uddha always havc thc imagcs ol thcsc Trcc Grcat
Sagcs so that thosc who vcncratc Amitabha 8uddha alrcady hon
our Kuan Shih Yin Pusa and Ta Shih Chi Pusa. !n thc samc
way, Kuan Yin dcvotccs arc alrcady thc dcvotccs ol thc 8uddha
and thcrclorc qualily to takc rcbirth in thc Purc Land.
Altcr taking rcbirth in this paradisc onc must not lorgct his
othcr lcllow bcings who arc still dccply submcrgcd in thc mirc
ol painlul cxistcncc. Tis thought will hclp to gcncratc thc dc
sirc to takc rcbirth again on this carth so as to dclivcr thcm lrom
thcir grcat sucrings. Tis thcn, is thc arising ol thc 8odhisattva
naturc which is born out ol compassion and lovingkindncss,
and a ncw bodhisattva is born. Purc Land is thcrclorc thc land
whcrc bcings can dcvclop thcir bodhisattva spirit and havc thc
opportunity to appcar bclorc thc 8uddha to dcclarc thcir carncst
wish to strivc lor 8uddhahood so that thcy arc ablc to savc scn
ticnt bcings. Hcrc too thc 8odhisattva \ows can bc takcn and
Amitabha 8uddha can thcn givc his blcssings and prophcsiscs
thcir luturc succcss in thc carccr ol a budding bodhisattva.
Tc worship ol Amitabha 8uddha originatcd in !ndia but took
nrm roots in China. !ts tcachings appcalcd cspccially to thosc
who arc not attractcd by scriptural studics, ritualistic or mcdi
tativc practiccs but posscssing grcat laith, cncrgy and dcvotion,
prclcr to rcly on Amitabha 8uddha to savc thcm. Purc Land
8uddhism soon sprcad lrom China to its ncighbouring countrics
likc \ictnam, Korca and Japan. Japan can bc considcrcd to bc thc
main arca ol Purc Land practicc today as morc than twothirds
ol its population arc said to bc Purc Land practitioncrs.
Puvv IaNo
6c 6.
grcat disciplcs ol Amitabha 8uddha. Unlikc Kuan Shih Yin
who is widcly worshippcd and has countlcss tcmplcs and shrincs
in hcr namc, TaShihChi is hardly vcncratcd by thc common
pcoplc and lor this rcason, thc ncxt chaptcr is dcdicatcd to hcr
cvcn though shc docs not appcar in thc panthcon.
Ta-_hih-[hi Jusa
TaShihChi Pusa is onc ol thc two main 8odhisattvas ol Purc
Land 8uddhism. Hcr Sanskrit namc is Manas+naxavva+a
which mcans onc who has attaincd grcat strcngth and is thcrc
lorc oltcn callcd thc 8odhisattva ol Univcrsal Strcngth. Shc is an
attributc ol Amitabha 8uddha, rcprcscnting his Visdom just as
Kuan Shih Yin is his compassionatc aspcct. Shc carncd hcr rank
ol 8odhisattvahood in thc distant past through thc practicc ol
rcciting thc namc ol thc 8uddha ol that pcriod ol timc. Vhcn
Amitabha bccamc a 8uddha, shc and Kuan Shih Yin bccamc his
disciplcs and thus wcrc rcsponsiblc in wclcoming thc laithlul ol
thc 8uddha to his Purc Land at thc timc ol thcir dcath.
Tc Shurangama Sutra statcs that in timc to comc whcn
Amitabha 8uddha rctircs as thc tcaching host ol thc Purc Land,
Kuan Shih Yin will takc ovcr thc rcsponsibility. Vhcn it is timc
lor Kuan Shih Yin to rctirc as Lord ol thc Purc Land, Ta Shih
Chi Pusa will bc hcr succcssor.
Ta Shih Chi Pusa is said to bc so powcrlul that whcncvcr shc
raiscs hcr hand or movcs any part ol hcr body, thc carth will
6c 6.
quakc and trcmblc. Although shc is a vcry popular 8odhisattva
to thc Chincsc, shc has not lound as many dcvotccs as Kuan
Shih Yin and it is cxtrcmcly dimcult to nnd a tcmplc dcdicatcd
solcly in hcr honour. Shc is normally worshippcd in thc Triad
with Amitabha 8uddha and Kuan Shih Yin 8odhisattva and
picturcs ol thcm togcthcr arc commonly lound in homcs ol thc
Purc Land 8uddhists. Tosc who wish to lorm a karmic link
with hcr should daily spcnd a lcw minutcs contcmplating on hcr
and rcqucst lor wisdom and strcngth in cultivation or mind
lully holding hcr namc through thc rccitation ol:
Naxo Ta-Sn:n-Cn: Pusa
Rccitation should bc donc with nrm laith, dcvotion and singlc
mindcdncss so that all kinds ol distracting thoughts arc qucllcd.
!t is also vcry important that virtuous conduct bc maintaincd so
that onc must not indulgc in killing or harming othcrs, stcaling,
living immorally, lying, spcaking harshly, or taking intoxicants ol
any kind that dcludc thc mind. To rcach this grcat 8odhisattva
onc has to bc purc both in mind and spirit. Practising mind
lulncss on Ta Shih Chi Pusa is thc samc as adoring Amitabha
8uddha and qualincs onc to takc rcbirth in thc Purc Land altcr
this carthly lilc.
Tc succcss in attaining 8odhisattvahood is dcpcndcnt upon thc
lulnlmcnt ol thc vast and noblc vows sct by thc aspiring bodhi
sattva. Tc Tcn Grcat \ows ol Ta Shih Chi Pusa, also known
as thc Univcrsal Vorthy 8odhisattva, which all Purc Land
8uddhists should know arc:
6a 6
1. To worship and rcspcct all 8uddhas.
2. To praisc thc TusComcnc (Tc 8uddha)
3. To cultivatc thc giving ol ocring.
4. To rcpcnt and rclorm all karmic laults.
5. To compliantly rcjoicc in mcrit and virtuc.
6. To rcqucst thc turning ol thc harma Vhccl.
7. To rcqucst that thc 8uddhas dwcll in thc world.
8. To always lollow thc 8uddhas in study.
9. To lorcvcr accord with living bcings.
10. To univcrsally translcr all mcrit and virtuc.
8csidcs having lulnllcd thcsc grcat vows, Ta Shih Chi has also
succcsslully practiscd thc Four Grcat \ows ol:
Saving thc limitlcss living bcings.
Cutting o all cvil passions.
Studying thc immcasurablc harma oors.
Rcalising thc suprcmc 8uddha Vay.
Unlikc Kuan Shih Yin Pusa whosc rolc is to grant hclp and to
succor bcings in miscry, Ta Shih Chih Pusa rcndcrs hcr hclp to
a dicrcnt catcgory ol pcoplc, thosc who arc bcnt on putting to
practisc thc 8uddhas way ol lilc and striving to attain pcrlcction.
Tus thc numbcr ol bcings who choosc to bccomc hcr dcvotccs
arc lcw in numbcr as cultivators ol thc path arc scarcc indccd. !t
is said that this grcat Pusa has a Gold Pavilion or lotus platlorm
which shc will lcnd to thosc who hold hcr namc so that thcy can
ridc upon it to thc Purc Land. !l you arc onc who is scriously
striving lor cnlightcnmcnt, thcn you should not hcsitatc to rccitc
thc namc ol this grcat 8odhisattva constantly.
6a 6
Cnav+vv VII
Tao _hih /.o
Jhaisajyaguru Juddha
Yao Shih Fwo, onc ol thc thrcc lorcmost 8uddhas ol thc
Chincsc Panthcon, is a 8uddha ol thc past cra. 8cttcr known
to thc pcoplc as thc 8uddha ol Mcdicinc or thc Mastcr ol
Hcaling, hc is dcar to thc hcarts ol many, lor thcy havc indccd
rcccivcd his blcssings in thc lorms ol miraculous curcs lrom all
kinds ol illncss. Tc 8uddhas cmcacy in prcvcnting calamitics
and granting prospcrity bcsidcs curing illncss has attractcd a
stcady numbcr ol bclicvcrs and dcvotccs sincc thc timc ol thc
astcrn Chin ynasty (ao 317420) to thc prcscnt day. Tc
Sutra ol thc 8uddha ol Mcdicinc (8haisajyaraja Sutra) was also
translatcd into Chincsc at that pcriod ol timc which providcd a
lull account on thc pccrlcss 8uddha, his Paradisc and his Twclvc
Grcat \ows. Howcvcr thc latcr translation madc by Tripitaka
Mastcr Hsuan Tsang, thc lamous monk ol thc Tang ynasty,
known as Tc Sutra ol thc Mastcr ol Hcaling (8haisajyaguru
\aiduryaPrabhasa Tathagata), is thc morc popular Sutra which
is widcly rcad by most pcoplc today.
Tc titlc Mastcr ol Hcaling, is a litcral translation ol his Sanskrit
namc 8haisajyaguru, thc 8uddha who lavours worshippcrs with
rclicl lrom thc troublcs ol thc world. Apart lrom curing illncss,
warding such calamitics as laminc, drought and plaguc, granting
longcvity and assisting thc dcad, Yao Shih Fwo is known to havc
dispcnscd all kinds ol mundanc bcncnts to thosc who pray to him.
6
cspitc his grcat popularity, tcmplcs dcdicatcd to him arc vcry
scarcc so that thosc who wish to worship him may do so at tcm
plcs whcrc his imagcs can bc lound. Hc is oltcn lound in a triad
with Sakyamuni 8uddha and Amitabha 8uddha, and his sym
bols arc cithcr thc mcdicinc bowl or thc pagoda. Vhcn dcpictcd
alonc, hc holds his symbol with his lclt hand and hc is normally
attcndcd to by his promincnt disciplcs, thc Grcat 8odhisattvas
Radiancc ol thc Sun and thc Radiancc ol thc Moon.
!n thc Sutra ol thc Mastcr ol Hcaling Sakyamuni 8uddha dc
scribcd Yao Shih Fwo to Manjusri 8odhisattva thus:
astward lrom hcrc, bcyond 8uddhaland about tcn timcs as
numcrous as thc sands ol thc Ganga, thcrc is a world callcd Tc
Purc Crystal Rcalm, thc Paradisc ol Yao Shih. !ts 8uddha has
a lcw titlcs, such as Tc Mastcr ol Hcaling, Azurc Radiancc
Tathagata, Tc Arhat ol Pcrlcct Knowlcdgc, thc Pcrlcct Mind
and ccd, Tc Vcll cpartcd Sugata, Tc Knowcr ol thc Vorld,
Tc Pccrlcss Noblcman, Tc Man Vho 8rings Tc Passion ol
Mcn Undcr Control, thc Tcachcr ol cvas and Mcn.
Vhilc still a bodhisattva, hc madc Twclvc Grcat \ows to lrcc
living bcings lrom thc bondagc ol karma. Hc vowcd to guard
thcir progrcss towards cnlightcnmcnt, to hclp thcm kccp thcir
prcccpts, to lrcc thcm lrom thc snarcs ol wrong rcligious prac
ticcs and lalsc doctrincs, to providc lood and drink lor thc hun
gry, to rcstorc thc bodics ol thc dclormcd, to rcscuc thosc lacing
cxccution and to lcad thcm to a happy and tranquil lilc. Tc
lull tcxt ol thc Twclvc \ows cannot bc givcn lully hcrc but thc
6
Yao Sn:n Iwo Bna:sajvacuvu Buoona
66 6,
Scvcnth \ow, which spccincally plcdgcs to rclicvc man ol physi
cal illncss and to dispcl his spiritual conlusion, carncd him thc
titlc ol Physician ol Soul, runs likc this:
! vow that, altcr my rcincarnation and having attaincd Pcr
lcct nlightcnmcnt, thosc who arc tormcntcd by discascs, who
havc nobody to whom thcy can scck lor hclp, without a rclugc,
without a doctor, without mcdicinc, without rclativcs, without a
homc, thcsc poor and miscrablcs bcings shall all ol thcm bc lrcc
lrom discascs and pains, and shall cnjoy pcrlcct hcalth ol body
and mind, oncc my namc rcachcs thcir cars. Tcy shall havc
lamilics, lricnds and propcrtics aplcnty, and shall all bc brought
to thc suprcmc nlightcnmcnt ol 8uddha.
Trough thc pcrlcction ol thcsc Grcat \ows, thc bodhisattva has
attaincd 8uddhahood and thus bccamc known as Yao Shih Fwo,
thc 8uddha who is ablc to bcstow all kinds ol bcncnts to thosc
who havc laith in him.
!n thc samc Sutra thc 8uddha Sakyamuni also rcvcalcd to
Manjusri that:
A woman may sucr lrom grcat pain whilc giving birth. !l shc
can wholchcartcdly worship thc 8uddha ol Mcdicinc and to
invokc thc namc Tathagata, worship Him, and makc ocrings
to Him, all pain will vanish, thc ncwly born will havc a sound
and hcalthy body, whocvcr sccs him will rcjoicc at his bcing so
clcvcr, so strong and hcalthy, and no dcmon comcs to rob him
ol his vitality.
66 6,
!t is bccausc ol past good roots in your prcvious livcs that you arc
now rcading about this grcat 8uddha. !t mcans that you havc thc
rarc opportunity to cultivatc and to gcncratc good karma lor thc
luturc. To do so you nccd only to chcrish thc namc ol this Vorld
honourcd Mastcr ol Hcaling wholchcartcdly and without a doubt.
aily you should contcmplatc on his vows or his lorm, rccitc his
namc and makc ocrings to him with what you can. Trough this
dcvotion you will casily lcarn to practisc compassion and loving
kindncss to thosc who arc unlortunatc, ill, lost, hungry or arc in
pain and distrcss. !t will also lcad you pray and wish happincss on
all scnticnt bcings. Tc praycr which comcs out lrom your hcart
that is ladcncd with lcclings ol conccrn lor othcrs wcllbcing is ol
coursc thc bcst that you can ocr to thc 8uddha, but hcrc is thc
univcrsal praycr which is on thc lips ol many:
Naxo Hs:ao-Tsa: YvN Snou Yao Sn:n Iwo
Tosc who wish may also rccitc this Sanskrit praisc:
Naxo Bnacava+v Bna:sjvacuvu Buoona Ya
!n thc Sutra ol thc Mastcr ol Hcaling thc 8uddha also rcvcalcd
to Manjusri thc grcat dharani (mystical lormula) which onc
should rccitc lor thc purposc ol dclivcring bcings lrom thcir dis
cascs and miscrics:
Naxo Bancava+v Bnasajvacuvu-Va:ouvva-Pvanna-Rajava.
Ta+naca+ava Avna+v Saxvaxsax-Buoonava Taova+na
Ox Bnasajvv Bna:sajvv-nna:sajva-Saxuoca+v Svana
Rcgarding thc cmcacy ol this grcat praycr thc 8uddha said:
6 6
Manjusri, il you scc a pious man or woman who sucrs lrom
a discasc, you shall do thc lollowing wholchcartcdly lor thcsc
pcoplc: lct thcm kccp clcan by taking lrcqucnt baths and rinsc
thcir mouths, givc thcm lood, mcdicinc and clcan watcr, and rc
citc thc harani lor a hundrcd and cight timcs, thcn all discascs
will disappcar cntircly. !l onc should havc a particular wish, hc
should conccntratc and rccitc thc magical lormula. Tcn hc will
lulnll all hc wishcs, hc will bc without discasc, and will livc
longcr. Altcr his dcath, hc will bc born in paradisc without hav
ing to rcturn to this world, and will in thc cnd attain pcrlcct
nlightcnmcnt.
Vhilc rcciting thc abovc dharani or thc 8uddhas namc, onc
should contcmplatc on thc 8uddhas imagc and thcn onc may
arrivc at thc statc ol thc 8uddharccitation samadhi whcn onc
is rcciting and yct not rcciting, not rcciting and yct rcciting. For
thosc who do not havc an imagc ol thc 8uddha, cithcr ol thc two
picturcs on Yao Shih Fwo should scrvc thc purposc. Tc samc
is truc ol all thc illustrations ol thc 8uddhas and 8odhisattvas
providcd in this book, thcy arc all suitablc objccts ol mcditation
or contcmplation.
Hcrc is a simplc mcthod ol practicc which may bc ol somc hclp
to thosc who havc no idca ol how to pray and thcrclorc arc
not likcly to havc a 8uddha imagc. Vorship can bc practiscd
anywhcrc but a quict and clcan room is thc most suitablc. Placc
bclorc you thc imagc or picturc ol thc 8uddha that you would
likc to worship. Gazc at thc picturc lor a minutc or two to calm
your mind and gcncrating thc dcsirc to worship. Lightly closc
6 6
Bna:sajvacuvu T:nv+aN vv:c+:oN
,c ,.
your cycs and imaginc that thc 8uddha has manilcstcd bclorc
you. Makc thrcc bows as a gcsturc ol rcvcrcncc. Makc known
thc purposc or motivation ol your worship i.c., praying lor long
lilc lor oncs parcnts or thc wcllbcing ol ccrtain lricnds. Soltly
or mcntally rccitc his namc in thc casc ol this 8uddha:
Naxo Hs:ao-Tsa: YvN Snou Yao Sn:n Iwo
or onc may choosc to rccitc thc grcat dharani lrom 9 up to 108
timcs with utmost sinccrity and rcvcrcncc. !t may takc a grcat
dcal ol cort at thc bcginning ol thc practicc to hold thc praycr
with lull conccntration, but altcr somc timc, with pcrscvcrancc,
thc rcsult ol oncpointcdncss will bc lclt. !n thc midst ol praycrs
onc should nrst imaginc that thc 8uddha is happy with oncs
cort, thcn hc givcs his blcssings by radiating purc light onto
oncscll. Tc 8uddhas light nlls up thc cntirc body with its radi
ancc purilying oncs dcnlcmcnts or illncss. nc should gcncratc a
vcry happy lccling lor this blcssing and bc movcd to practisc such
virtucs as lovingkindncss and compassion towards all othcr scn
ticnt bcings so that, without hcsitation, onc immcdiatcly translcrs
all such blcssings rcccivcd to thcm. Tis is donc by imagining that
thc radiancc ol oncs own body is absorbcd by all bcings in thc
univcrsc which will hclp purily thcir bad karma and causc thcm
to bc happy in thc luturc. !n casc onc is praying lor thc 8uddhas
blcssings lor a lricnd, onc should thcn imaginc that hc is sitting
in lront ol oncscll so that all thc light that is radiatcd lrom thc
8uddha will ow into his body thus bcncnting him solcly. Altcr
thc praycrs onc should sit lor a short whilc to lccl thc calm and
blisslul lcclings that onc has built up and thcn sinccrcly pray that
all bcings too will bc blcsscd with such happincss.
,c ,.
Cnav+vv VIII
[uan _hih Tin Jusa
,+a/okites+ara Jodhisatt+a
Namo TaChiTaPci Kuan Shih Yin Pusa. Tis is thc praycr
which is rccitcd by all Kuan Yin dcvotccs daily to pay homagc
and to appcal to thc Grcat Lord, Avaiox:+vsvava 8odhisattva,
who is thc compassionatc aspcct ol all thc 8uddhas ol thc thrcc
acons. Litcrally translatcd it mcans Namo To Tc Grcatly
Compassionatc Kuan Shih Yin 8odhisattva. To rccitc this
praycr is to scck thc blcssings ol Kuan Yin and at thc samc timc
to dcvclop oncs own compassionatc naturc. Tosc who rccitc thc
grcat praycr with a sinccrc hcart will surcly nnd it quitc casy to
practisc grcat kindncss and grcat sympathy towards othcrs, lor
Kuan Yins compassion will thcn ow through thcm and causc
thcm to walk thc Path ol Mcrcy. !t is also thc Path towards
8uddhahood lor thc mcrit and virtuc ol rcciting thc namc ol thc
grcat Pusa is immcasurablc.
Tis grcat Compassionatc Lord is known by various othcr namcs
such as:
Tc 8odhisattva Rcgardcr ol thc Sound ol thc Vorld:
Tc Lord ol Compassionatc Glanccs.
Tc Lord Vho Sccs thc Vorld with Pity.
Tc Lord ol Vhat is sccn, ol thc \isiblc Vorld.
,a
and a host ol othcr namcs. Hc is indccd thc Lord who rcgards
with compassion, all bcings sucring lrom thc cvils ol cxistcncc
within thc Six Rcalms.
KuaN Sn:N Y:N is thc dircct translation ol thc Sanskrit namc ol
Avalokitcsvara which has thc lollowing mcaning:
KuaN contcmplatc or looks on
Sn:n thc world or thc rcgion ol sucrcrs
Y:N all thc sounds ol thc world, i.c., thc cry
ing sounds ol bcings, vcrbal or mcntal, all
acknowlcdging miscry and sccking salvation
which touch thc hcart ol thc Lord who pitics.
Kuan Shih Yin is thcrclorc thc 8odhisattva ol grcat compassion,
mcrcy and lovc who has won thc hcarts ol countlcss pcoplc. 8y
virtuc ol his innnitc powcr, hc is capablc ol rcgarding thc crics
ol thc pcoplc whcthcr thcsc rcprcscnt cithcr dcsirc or sucr
ing, dclivcring thcm through thc wisdom ol skillul mcans, and
appcaring in thc lorm suitablc to thosc to bc savcd. Tis noblc
Lord is thus thc saviour who may assumc thc lorm ol a 8uddha,
8odhisattva, god or any othcr lorms, cithcr malc or lcmalc, in
ordcr to lulnll his task ol mcrcy.
!n most ol thc 8uddhist lands, thc malc lorm is prcdominant
but in China, Kuan Shih Yin manilcsts in various lcmalc lorms
such as:
Vhitcrobcd Kuan Yin
Childgiving Kuan Yin
Calmsca Kuan Yin
,a
KuaN Sn:N Y:N Pusa Avaiox:+vsvava Boon:sa++va
, ,
Tc rcasons lor thcsc lcmalc cmanations arc bccausc ol thc thcn
Conlucianist inucncc on thc attitudc, customs and social sys
tcms which discouragcd thc lcmalc population lrom sccking
comlort and solacc lrom malc dcitics cspccially in thcir rcqucsts
lor ospring.
Kuan Yin, in lact, manilcstcd into 33 lorms with which to rcach
thc pcoplc and thc most popular oncs bcing:
Kuan Yin ol Complctc Light
ragonhcad Kuan Yin
Kuan Yin Vho \icws Vatcrlalls
Childgiving Kuan Yin
Kuan Yin ol thc Fish 8askct
Kuan Yin ol thc Rock Cavc
Kuan Yin ol Univcrsal Compassion
Kuan Yin Holding a Lotus
!t should also bc mcntioncd that cvcn bclorc 8uddhism was
introduccd into China, thc womcn lolk thcrc wcrc alrcady wor
shipping scvcral lcmalc Taoist citics, in thc lorms ol Niang
Niang sccking thcir blcssings lor salcty, happincss, childrcn,
mcrcy, compassion and salvation. Tus whcn Kuan Shih Yin
rcspondcd to thc urgcnt and distrcsslul calls ol thc Chincsc pco
plc in thc lcmalc lorms, thcy wcrc also givcn thc NiangNiang
titlcs so that Kuan Shih Yin Pusa which is thc propcr 8uddhist
tcrm, bccamc known as Kuan Yin Niang Niang or Tc Goddcss
ol Mcrcy. !n this way, Avalokitcsvara bccamc thc most popular
, ,
dcity in all ol China, worshippcd by both thc 8uddhists and
thc Taoists as wcll as thosc who arc without a propcr laith but
nccdcd a compassionatc dcity to turn to.
Kuan Yins manilcstations or translormation bodics can bc said
to bc numbcrlcss and thc most widcly worshippcd lorm today
is that ol thc Vhitcrobcd Kuan Yin. For this rcason, most
ol thc Kuan Yin imagcs that arc sccn in tcmplcs and at homc
altars arc rclatcd to this lorm. Sincc this is thc most bclovcd ol
all thc lorms, onc should takc a closcr look at it to discovcr its
cndcaring lcaturcs which havc capturcd thc hcarts ol countlcss
millions.
Kuan Yin imagcs arc cithcr in a scatcd or standing posturc cach
having its signincant mcanings. Most pcoplc tcnd to prclcr thc
scatcd lorm as it givcs both a scrcnc and dignincd lccling, thc
vcry picturc ol cnlightcnmcnt. Tc standing ngurc rcprcscnts
compassion in action. Vhat docs it indicatc: !t rcally indicatcs
that Kuan Yins compassion and saving powcr arc availablc to
anyonc who sccks thcm, that Kuan Yin is cvcr rcady to rcach
and hclp all bcings by ocring thcm assistancc, lovc and protcc
tion. Tis posturc also symboliscs thc ctcrnal activity ol bring
ing cnlightcnmcnt to all who wish it. Kuan Yin is also dcpictcd
as holding a vasc which contains Amrita, thc dcw ol compas
sion, which can purily thc dcnlcmcnts ol our body, spccch and
mind, as wcll as having all kinds ol curativc powcrs. Tc lacc ol
Kuan Yin imagcs is always gcntlc, calm and cnduringly swcct,
an cxprcssion which rcccts innnitc wisdom, scrcnity, lovc and
compassion. !t has thc pcculiar quality ol calming thosc who
,6 ,,
arc angry or arc in dcspair, comlorting thosc who arc sorrow
lul, and bringing lorth lcclings ol lovc, dcvotion and contcnt
mcnt to hcr laithlul. How docs onc bccomc hcr laithlul: Not
by blind laith or through worship which is tingcd with sclnsh
intcntions but through thc practicc ol such virtucs as kindlincss,
gcntlcncss, lovc, mcrcy, compassion, charity, morality, paticncc,
pcrscvcrancc, contcmplation or acts that will bring bcncnts to
othcrs, onc bccomcs a truc disciplc ol Kuan Shih Yin. Anothcr
lcaturc that should bc notcd is thc cycs which arc always dcpict
cd as hallopcncd and hallcloscd which indicatcs a pcrlcct
harmony ol outcr and inncr lilc as hall ol thc vision is conccrn
ing thc outcr world, whilc thc othcr hall is dircctcd intcrnally
lor propcr scllrccction. Tus it can bc said that Kuan Yin is
cvcr mindlul ol thc cxtcrnal world and all our intcrnal thoughts
and inclinations.
As mcntioncd carlicr, Kuan Yin lorms arc many, in lact thcy
arc said to bc countlcss, and cach ol thcsc lorms has its own
signincant and symbolic mcaning. Tosc who arc ncw to
Mahayana 8uddhism should not bc startlcd by thc various lorms
ol thc 8uddhas and 8odhisattvas, cspccially by thc numbcr ol
arms that thcy arc oltcn dcpictcd with. nc ol Kuan Yins
most lamous and compassionatc lorms is that ol thc thousand
armthousand cycs which is known in Chincsc as Chicnshou
chicnycn Kuan Shih Yin Pusa. !n this lorm, Kuan Yin has
clcvcn hcads and a thousand hands, with cxtra cycs on thc
palms ol cach hand. Lcgcnd has it that hc was contcmplating
thc task ol working lor thc salcty and happincss ol all scnticnt
bcings whcn his hcad split into a thousand picccs upon rcalising
,6 ,,
thc cnormity ol such an undcrtaking. Amitabha, thc 8uddha
ol Limitlcss Light, his Spiritual Fathcr, quickly camc to thc
rcscuc and rcstorcd Kuan Yin to lilc and also gavc him this
lorm. Tc thousand cycs symbolisc thc allsccing naturc ol
Kuan Yins compassion whilc thc thousand arms rcprcscnt thc
cvcrprcscnt and allcompassing naturc ol his hclp. All Kuan
Yin imagcs, malc or lcmalc, with onc or multiplc hcads, two
or multiplc arms, gcntlc or ncrcc lacial cxprcssions, havc thcir
own symbolic and rcligious mcanings and thcrclorc should not
bc lookcd upon as pcculiar and uninviting. Howcvcr, all Kuan
Yin imagcs always lcaturc a loving, kind and compassionatc
cxprcssion and cvcn a statuc with clcvcn hcads and a thousand
arms docs not losc thc harmony ol thc wholc body but radiatcs
pcacc.
!n thc Lotus Sutra, an cntirc chaptcr is dcvotcd to Kuan Yin in
which thc 8uddha dcscribcs thc 8odhisattva as onc who has hcr
lacc turncd in cvcry dircction in ordcr to scc all things and to
savc all bcings and that thcrc is no lorm or shapc that Kuan Yin
will not assumc to prcach thc harma to scnticnt bcings:
!n somc worlds thc 8odhisattva Mahasattva Avalokitcsvara
prcachcs thc law to crcaturcs in thc shapc ol a 8uddha, in othcrs
shc docs so in thc shapc ol a 8odhisattva. To somc bcings shc
shows thc law in thc shapc ol a Pratyckabuddha, to othcrs shc
docs so in thc shapc ol a disciplc to thosc who arc to bc con
vcrtcd by assuming 8rahman, shc prcachcs in thc shapc ol a
8rahman, to thosc who arc to bc convcrtcd by \ajrapani, shc
prcachcs in thc shapc ol \ajrapani.
,
Cn:vN-Snou-Cn:vN-YvN KuaN Sn:n Y:N Pusa
,
Many othcr Kuan Yin translormations arc dcscribcd lully in
thc various Mahayana Sutras and thc undcrlying conccpt lor all
arc basically thc samc an cxprcssion ol thc limitlcss compas
sion ol this grcat bodhisattva. nc ol thc most important lorms
which all Kuan Yin dcvotccs should rccognisc and rcvcrc is that
ol thc Fourarm Avalokitcsvara, worshippcd by all Tibctans as
CnvNv:z:c, thc Holdcr ol thc Vhitc Lotus. !t is in thc malc
lorm which has two hands in thc prayinggcsturc known as thc
namaskaramudra whilc thc othcr two hands hold his symbols,
thc Crystal Rosary and thc Lotus Flowcr. Hc is thc cmana
tion and thcrclorc thc spiritual son ol Amitabha 8uddha, who
blcsscd him and whcrcupon thc 8odhisattva brought lorth thc
lamous praycr, known as thc Mani Mantra:
Ox MaN: Paoxv Hux
Tis Mantra ol Univcrsal Protcction is rccitcd ccasclcssly by
millions ol Kuan Yin adhcrcnts in countrics whcrc Mahayana
8uddhism is practiscd. !t is a vcry powcrlul mantra whosc
cmcacy havc hclpcd countlcss numbcr ol pcoplc in cvcry way.
Anothcr grcat compassionatc lorm is that ol thc Allsidcd nc,
thc lcvcnlaccd Kuan Yin. Tis is an csotcric lorm which is
widcly popular in Tibct and its ncighbouring countrics whcrc
\ajrayana, thc third vchiclc ol 8uddhism, is practiscd. Scvcral
lamous tcmplcs in Japan havc this imagc but it is a rarity in
Chincsc tcmplcs. Hcrc is thc lcgcnd:
Avalokitcsvara, thc AllPitying nc dcsccndcd into hcll, con
vcrtcd thc wickcd and libcratcd thcm to Sukhavati, thc Vcstcrn
c .
Paradisc ol his spiritual lathcr, Amitabha. No sooncr had hc
cmpticd thc hcll ol its inhabitants, within thc ncxt instant othcr
bcings wcrc rcborn thcrc to nll up thcir placcs. ut ol dcspair
and gricl in discovcring thc cxtcnt ol wickcdncss in thc world
and thc uttcr hclplcssncss ol saving all mankind, thc 8odhi
sattvas hcad split into tcn picccs.
Amitabha 8uddha quickly camc to thc rcscuc ol his bclovcd
disciplc and causcd cach ol thc picccs to bccomc a hcad, placcd
thcm in thrcc ticrs ol thrcc, with thc tcnth hcad on top and his
own imagc abovc thcm all.
Tus thc Grcat Compassionatc nc was cndowcd with twcnty
two cycs instcad ol two, to scc all sucring, and clcvcn brains in
stcad ol onc, to conccntratc on thc bcst mcans ol saving mankind.
As mcntioncd carlicr, Kuan Yin is always acccptcd by thc avcragc
Chincsc to bc a lcmalc 8odhisattva duc to hcr various manilcs
tations and lcgcnd in China. To rclcr to hcr as a malc dcity will
surcly causc many a brow to wrinklc up and pairs ol conluscd
cycs staring at you lor thc prolanity uttcrcd. Tis is bccausc thc
grcat majority ol hcr dcvotccs and laithluls arc lacking in doctri
nal knowlcdgc and it is lor this particular rcason that this book
has bccn prcparcd. To thcm Kuan Yin is a grcat 8cing who can
bc countcd upon lor hclp undcr any circumstanccs lor shc has
indccd hclpcd countlcss othcrs, so that just to havc laith in this
Goddcss ol Mcrcy is good cnough and that thc complicatcd doc
trincs ol thc 8uddhas should bc lclt to thc monks and nuns who
will bc thcrc to guidc thcm whcncvcr thc nccd ariscs. Tis may
c .
bc a commcndablc show ol laith but it bcncnts only a limitcd
numbcr ol pcoplc who havc thc good karma to dcvclop it. !t will
not hclp to instruct thc youngcr gcncration to dcvclop an intcr
cst in 8uddhism or to practisc it. Vhat is morc important is that
cvcry 8uddhist should havc a lair knowlcdgc ol who thc 8uddha
is, and what arc his important tcachings so that 8uddhism can
bc practiscd mcaninglully and objcctivcly. Tis will also hclp to
do away with supcrstition and wrong practicc and at thc samc
timc providc intclligcnt answcrs to thc qucstions that arc poscd
by thosc ol othcr laiths.
8ut lct us gct back to thc subjcct on this grcat 8odhisattva whosc
sphcrc ol inucncc is much grcatcr than thc 8uddha lor shc has
morc tcmplcs built in hcr namc than all thc 8uddhas and 8odhi
sattvas ol thc 8uddhist Panthcon. Hcr mcrit is incalculablc, likc
drops ol rain lalling continuously lor a ycar. Shc is callcd thc
Grcatly Compassionatc nc bccausc ol hcr vow ol saving all
living bcings and thcrclorc committing hcrscll to bcing thc last
pcrson in thc univcrsc to attain 8uddhahood!
!n thc Lotus Sutra thc 8uddha said that anyonc who calls upon
Kuan Yin will bc dclivcrcd instantly lrom all thcir sucrings.
8y virtuc ol hcr supcrnatural powcr, shc is ablc to savc all living
bcings lrom all kinds ol dangcr, givc thcm what thcy want, and
prcach thc harma lrccly by appcaring in whatcvcr lorm that
suits thc naturc ol thc laithlul.
To call lor Kuan Yins hclp onc nccds only to humbly rccitc hcr
namc continuously with: