Other Definitions
avalokitesvara (dict)
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AvalokitesvaraIn Mahayana Buddhism, Avalokitesvara or Avalokiteshvara is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. Avalokitesvara is likely the bodhisattva most widely revered among Buddhists; this is especially true considering the distinctively East Asian form known as Guan Yin or Kannon, which is covered in a separate article. In Vajrayana Buddhism Avalokitesvara is also known as Padmapani, the Holder of the Lotus. Origin of the concept The exact origin of the religious practices relating to Avalokitesvara is unclear. Some Western scholars have suggested that the concept of Avalokitesvra, along with many other supernatural beings in Buddhism, was based on a Hindu deity absorbed by Mahayana teaching as an aspect of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni. The word avalokita means "seeing or gazing down" and isvara means "lord" in Sanskrit. Isvara is also an alternate name for the Hindu god Shiva, who seems to also have acted as an inspiration for some of Avalokitesvara's depictions in art. According to Mahayana doctrine, Avalokitesvara was a person who has made a great vow to listen to the prayers of all sentient beings in times of difficulty, and to postpone his own Buddhahood until he has helped every being on Earth achieve enlightenment. Sutras associated with Avalokitesvara include the Lotus Sutra, particularly the 25th chapter, which is sometimes referred to as the Avalokitesvara Sutra, and the Heart Sutra. Tibetan Buddhism Avalokitesvara (known as Chenrezig in Tibetan) is an important deity in Tibetan Buddhism. In particular, the Dalai Lama is held to be a manifestation of Avalokitesvara. Other manifestations popular in Tibet include Sahasra-bhuja (a form with a thousand arms) and Ekadasmukha (a form with eleven faces). In Tibetan Buddhism, White Tara acts as the consort and energizer of Avalokitesvara. According to popular belief, Tara came into existence from a tear of Avalokitesvara. When the tear fell to the ground, it created a lake, and a lotus opening in the lake revealed Tara. Tibetan Buddhism relates Avalokitesvara to the six-syllable mantra Om Mani Padme Hum. Manifestations Avalokitesvara has an extraordinarily large number of manifestations in different forms. Some of the more commonly mentioned forms include: | Sanskrit !! Characters !! Japanese !! Meaning !! Description | | Amoghapasa | 不空羂索 | fukūkenjaku | Holder of the Infallible Lasso | | Bhrkuti | | | Fierce-Eyed | | Cintamani-cakra | 如意輪 | nyoirin | Holding the Jewel and Wheel | Holds the jewel Cintamani | | Ekadasmukha | 十一面 | jūichimen | Eleven-Faced | Additional faces to teach all in 10 planes of existence | | Hayagriva | 馬頭 | bato | Horse-Headed | Wrathful form; simultaneously boddhisattva and a Wisdom King | | Pandaravasini | 白衣 | byakue | White and Pure | the direct forbear of Guan Yin | | Parnashabari | Cloaked With Leaves | | Rakta Shadakshari | Six Red Syllables | | Sahasra-bhuja Sahasra-netra | 千手千眼 | senjūsengan | Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed | Very popular form: see and helps all | | Svetabhagavati | | | White-Bodied | | Udaka-sri | Water Auspicious |
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