Guanyin Hall

Guanyin Bodhisattva

Names in Chinese and Sanskrit: Guanyin (观音) is the shortened Chinese name of Guanshiyin (观世音), and both are written here in Hanyu Pinyin. Avalokiteshvara is the Sanskrit name commonly used in English-language Buddhist texts and art descriptions. In the Chinese Buddhist tradition presented here, these names identify the same bodhisattva. For example, the Asian Art Museum's collection record uses “Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin)”.

In Mahayana teaching, Ksitigarbha represents the foundation of caring for parents and respecting teachers. Guanyin represents the wider compassion that grows from that foundation.

The name Guanshiyin means attending to the cries of the world. “Attending” here is seeing with wisdom, while the cries include the needs and calls of all living beings.

Compassion is more than sympathy. It means relieving suffering and helping others find happiness, doing what we can when we see someone in pain.

A boy and a dragon girl stand beside Guanyin, showing wisdom and compassion working together.

Sudhana, the boy pilgrim

Sudhana is the central figure in the “Entering the Dharma Realm” chapter of the *Avatamsaka Sutra*. His Chinese name is Shancai.

Shan and cai: *Shan*, “good,” points to the willingness and good roots needed to receive the teachings. *Cai*, “wealth,” points to merit and the inner wealth of our true nature.

His visits to fifty-three teachers: Sudhana offers an example of an ordinary person reaching Buddhahood within one lifetime. He learns from fifty-three teachers of different occupations and backgrounds, developing his mind through life in the world. Beside Guanyin, he reminds us that a compassionate heart also needs the understanding gained from real experience.

The Dragon Girl

The Dragon Girl represents compassion and the possibility of sudden awakening. Her story appears in the “Devadatta” chapter of the *Lotus Sutra*. At eight years old, she hears Manjushri teach the sutra, awakens at once and goes to the Spotless World in the south, where she manifests Buddhahood.

Letting go of prejudice: In the society described in the story, several things were held against her: she belonged to the dragon realm, she was female and she was only eight. Yet none of these prevented her from becoming a Buddha.

An open and compassionate heart: Beside Guanyin, she represents sincere, unprejudiced compassion. Her story says that awakening is not limited by gender, age or even the distinction between human and animal life. Anyone who lets go of delusion and attachment can turn inward and realise their true nature.

What the three figures teach us in daily life

Guanyin in the centre, Sudhana on the left and the Dragon Girl on the right offer a practical lesson for living:

Sudhana's wisdom + the Dragon Girl's compassion = the full compassion expressed by Guanyin.

Working on ourselves: Like Sudhana, we can learn through everyday work and experience while keeping a clear head.

Meeting other people: Like the Dragon Girl, we can remain open-hearted and care for those who suffer without prejudice.

Guanyin practice

Chinese Buddhism includes a practice of reciting Guanyin's name, presented here as a branch of the Western Pure Land tradition. Its main text is the “Universal Gate of Guanyin Bodhisattva” chapter of the *Lotus Sutra*.

One story tells of a person who recited “Namo Guanyin Bodhisattva” a million times. Guanyin then appeared in a dream and told the person to recite “Namo Amitabha Buddha” and seek birth in the Western Pure Land.

Background music

The melody is commonly used in Chinese Buddhist chanting. The words are the verses near the end of the “Universal Gate” chapter of the *Lotus Sutra*. The recording is by the Qingtai Fayun group. If there is a copyright issue, please contact us for removal.

World-Honoured One, complete in wonderful form, I ask again:Why is this child of the Buddha called Guanyin, the one who attends to the world's cries?The honoured one answered Endless Intent in verse:Listen to Guanyin's deeds, responding wherever help is needed.With vows as deep as the sea, through ages beyond thought,Serving countless Buddhas, Guanyin has made great, pure vows.I will tell you briefly: hearing the name, seeing the form,Or holding Guanyin in mind is never wasted; it can end the suffering of existence.If someone means you harm and pushes you into a pit of fire,Remember Guanyin's power, and the pit becomes a pool.If you drift on a vast sea among dragons, fish and threatening spirits,Remember Guanyin's power, and the waves cannot drown you.If someone pushes you from the peak of Mount Sumeru,Remember Guanyin's power, and you remain in the sky like the sun.If evil people pursue you and you fall onto Diamond Mountain,Remember Guanyin's power, and not a hair will be harmed.If enemies and robbers surround you, each raising a blade,Remember Guanyin's power, and their hearts turn to kindness.If you suffer under a ruler and stand about to be executed,Remember Guanyin's power, and the blade breaks into pieces.If you are imprisoned, with hands and feet in chains,Remember Guanyin's power, and you will be freed.If curses or poisons are sent to harm you,Remember Guanyin's power, and they return to the one who sent them.If you meet fierce rakshasas, poisonous dragons or other spirits,Remember Guanyin's power, and none will dare to harm you.If wild beasts surround you with frightening teeth and claws,Remember Guanyin's power, and they flee far away.If snakes, vipers and scorpions breathe poison like smoke and fire,Remember Guanyin's power, and they turn back at the sound.If thunderclouds gather, lightning flashes, and hail and rain pour down,Remember Guanyin's power, and the storm will clear.When living beings are trapped by trouble and countless kinds of pain,Guanyin's wonderful wisdom can relieve the suffering of the world.With complete spiritual powers and well-practised wisdom,Guanyin appears in every land throughout the ten directions.The suffering of hells, hungry ghosts and animals,And of birth, age, illness and death, is gradually brought to an end.True vision, pure vision, vast and wise vision,Compassionate and loving vision: may we always look to these.Pure, unclouded light, a sun of wisdom breaking through darkness,Calming destructive wind and fire, shining throughout the world.Compassion and precepts sound like thunder; loving kindness gathers like a great cloud,Pouring down the sweet rain of the Dharma to put out the fires of distress.In disputes before officials, or amid the terror of battle,Remember Guanyin's power, and hostility will fall away.Wonderful voice, Guanyin's voice, pure voice, voice of the ocean tide,Surpassing worldly sounds: keep it always in mind.Let no doubt arise from thought to thought. Guanyin, the pure and noble one,Can be a refuge in suffering, danger and death.Complete in every virtue, looking on all beings with loving eyes,With blessings as boundless as the sea: to Guanyin we bow.