Introduction to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
The original name of Guanyin is Guanyin, which is transliterated in Sanskrit as "Anavaluji Dishu" or "Avaluji Dishevaro", which is the same as in Chinese Han temples. Together with Manjusri, Samantabhadra and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, they are called the four great Bodhisattvas. In the Buddhist scriptures, Avalokitesvara is called the Bodhisattva of great mercy and compassion. As long as all suffering beings chant its name sincerely, "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva will immediately observe its voice and all will be liberated." This is where its name comes from. It is said that Guanyin was born on the 19th day of the second lunar month, the day of Nirvana is the 19th month, and the day of enlightenment is the 19th June. These three days are important dates for devout believers to burn incense and make offerings. Guanyin is also known as Avalokitesvara, Avalokitesvara, Guangshiyin, etc. In Buddhism, he is the top Bodhisattva under the seat of Amitabha, the leader of the Western world. Together with Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, he is the attendant Bodhisattva beside Amitabha.
Guanyin Bodhisattva is the most common and widespread belief among Chinese people. Among various Buddhist images or statues, the image of Guanyin Bodhisattva is also the most common, and there are many types and great changes. Therefore Guanyin Bodhisattva is listed separately.
When sentient beings in the world encounter various difficulties and disasters, as long as they believe in Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and recite the name of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, then he will "observe his voice" and come to rescue the suffering sentient beings instantly. He was able to get out of trouble, so the name of this Bodhisattva was called "Avalokitesvara".
There are many classics about Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in Buddhism, the most popular one is "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Universal Door" in the "Lotus Sutra". This work focuses on describing the merits and abilities of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's great mercy and saving all sentient beings. Therefore, not long after this sutra was translated, this work was widely copied and became popular alone, and was called "Avalokitesvara Sutra".
According to Buddhism, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is a great Bodhisattva who saves suffering. In Buddhist scriptures such as "Avalokitesvara Sutra" that promotes Western Pure Land thought, it is also said that Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva will accompany Amitabha to lead people to rebirth. All living beings in the Western Paradise. Therefore, the belief in Guanyin Bodhisattva is easier for people to accept.
The belief in Guanyin Bodhisattva began to become popular in society around the time of the Jin Dynasty. In the Southern and Northern Dynasties, due to frequent wars, social unrest and other reasons, the belief in Guanyin Bodhisattva, which claimed to be able to save people from suffering in this world, became increasingly popular among all walks of life. Not only has the "Avalokitesvara Sutra", which specifically promotes Guanyin Bodhisattva's great mercy and salvation, has been widely spread in society, but also some books that specifically promote the stories of Guanyin Bodhisattva's efficacious induction have appeared, such as "Xuanxianji" compiled by Liu Yiqing in the Southern Song Dynasty. ", "The Fulfillment of Guangshiyin" compiled by Fu Liang, "Mingyang Ji" compiled by Wang Tan of Qi Dynasty, etc.
Because the myths and legends about Guanyin Bodhisattva were in line with the people's desire to get rid of suffering and yearn for a happy and beautiful life at that time, and the legend of mercy and salvation as their original wish made everyone feel a sense of intimacy, so Guanyin belief among the people Development is rapid.
Among the various Bodhisattva statues in Buddhism, Avalokitesvara has the most types. This is probably related to the saying that Avalokitesvara has various incarnations. Generally speaking, when he, as one of the "Three Saints of the West", and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva accompany the statue of Amitabha, Guanyin Bodhisattva is wearing a crown with a statue of Amitabha on it. Other appearances and clothing decorations are It is not much different from other Bodhisattva statues. In Chinese Buddhist temples, behind the main statue enshrined in the Main Hall, there is often a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva standing in the sea and on top of the head. According to Buddhist scriptures, this is where Guanyin Bodhisattva preaches. Created in Putuoluojia Mountain in the South China Sea, Guanyin Bodhisattva at this time was mostly portrayed as an ancient Chinese lady, such as the Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai and Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou.
Sometimes. Next to the statue of Guanyin, there is also a small statue of a boy. The boy faces Guanyin Bodhisattva and puts his hands together. This is the so-called "boy worshiping Guanyin". According to the "Huayan Sutra: Entering the Dharma Realm", the boy is good at making money. Under the guidance of Manjusri Bodhisattva, he successively paid homage to fifty-three "good teachers", and the twenty-seventh of them was the story of Guanyin Bodhisattva. This kind of image is very popular among Chinese people.
The scriptures often associate some secret mantras (dharani) with Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and also stipulate the corresponding rituals when reciting these secret mantras and the specific image of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva that needs to be worshipped and worshipped. This gave rise to the so-called Among the six Avalokitesvara and the Seven Avalokitesvara, the main ones are Horse-headed Avalokitesvara (namely the Horse-headed Avalokitesvara in the Mingwang tribe), Thousand-Hand Avalokitesvara, Eleven-faced Avalokitesvara, Avalokitesvara Avalokitesvara, Zhunti Avalokitesvara, and Ruyi Lun. Guanyin, etc. These Guanyin are all incarnations of the Holy Guanyin (or Zhengguanyin). During the long period of circulation in China, the statues of Guanyin have undergone various evolutions, and the Chinese people have changed them according to their own wishes. Preferences have shaped many Avalokitesvara statues with national characteristics that are in line with the aesthetic psychology and taste of the Chinese people and are therefore loved by the Chinese people, such as the Ma Langfu Avalokitesvara, the White-robed Avalokitesvara, and the Yangzhi Avalokitesvara. After the Song Dynasty, there were even more statues of ancient Chinese ladies. This type of image has become the mainstream of Guanyin Bodhisattva statues, so much so that Guanyin Bodhisattva has the reputation of "Oriental Venus".