🙏 Avalokiteshvara

Attributes & Domains

Mythology & Stories

The myths surrounding Avalokiteshvara illustrate the boundless nature of compassion and the Bodhisattva's unwavering commitment to all beings.

Key Myths:

• The Shattering of Avalokiteshvara: Having vowed to liberate all beings from suffering, Avalokiteshvara worked tirelessly for countless eons. Looking down at the world, he saw that despite his efforts, beings continued to suffer in endless numbers. The realization of the immensity of suffering caused his head to shatter into eleven pieces from overwhelming grief and his arms to break into a thousand pieces from exhaustion. Amitabha Buddha, his spiritual father, gathered the pieces and reformed him with eleven heads to see suffering in all directions and a thousand arms to reach all beings simultaneously. In the palm of each hand appeared an eye of wisdom, making him able to see and respond to suffering everywhere.
• The Origin of Tara: As Avalokiteshvara witnessed the suffering of beings, a tear of compassion fell from his eye. From this tear formed a lotus, and from the lotus emerged Tara, the female Bodhisattva of swift compassionate action. She vowed to assist Avalokiteshvara in liberating all beings, manifesting in 21 forms to address different kinds of suffering. Green Tara removes obstacles and fears; White Tara grants longevity and healing.
• The Six-Syllable Mantra: Avalokiteshvara's essence is contained in the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum." Each syllable purifies one of the six realms of existence—Om purifies pride in the god realm, Ma purifies jealousy in the asura realm, Ni purifies desire in the human realm, Pad purifies ignorance in the animal realm, Me purifies greed in the hungry ghost realm, and Hum purifies anger in the hell realm. Reciting this mantra invokes Avalokiteshvara's blessing and plants seeds of compassion in the heart.
• Descent to Hell Realms: Unlike many divine beings who remain in celestial realms, Avalokiteshvara regularly descends to the lowest hell realms to bring relief to beings experiencing the most intense suffering. He appears in whatever form will be most helpful—as a cool breeze in burning hells, as water in the desert hells, as companionship in the isolation hells. His presence brings temporary respite and plants karmic seeds for future liberation.

Forms & Manifestations

Major Forms

• Two-Armed Avalokiteshvara: The simple form holding a lotus and wish-fulfilling jewel, representing pure compassion accessible to all.
• Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara: Two hands in prayer at the heart holding a jewel, one holding a lotus, one holding a mala (prayer beads). This is the most common form in Tibetan Buddhism.
• Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara: With eleven heads and a thousand arms radiating in all directions, each hand containing an eye. Represents the ability to help countless beings simultaneously.
• Guanyin (Female Form): In East Asian Buddhism, Avalokiteshvara manifested primarily as female Guanyin, the "Goddess of Mercy." Often depicted in flowing white robes, holding a willow branch and vase of pure water, standing on a lotus or dragon.

The Dalai Lama

In Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is considered a physical emanation of Avalokiteshvara, choosing to reincarnate repeatedly in human form to serve sentient beings. Each Dalai Lama continues the work of compassion in the world, making Avalokiteshvara's presence tangible and accessible.

In the Sutras

Explore references to Avalokiteshvara and related concepts in the Buddhist scriptural corpus:

Extended Information

For a more comprehensive exploration of Avalokiteshvara including additional practices, cultural variations, and deeper teachings, see the Detailed Avalokiteshvara Page →

Worship & Practice

The Sacred Mantra

Om Mani Padme Hum (ॐ मणि पद्मे हूँ)

This six-syllable mantra is the heart practice of Avalokiteshvara. Tibetan practitioners carve it on stones, spin it in prayer wheels, chant it millions of times. Each recitation invokes blessing, cultivates compassion, and purifies negative karma. The mantra means "Hail the jewel in the lotus"— the jewel representing enlightened mind and the lotus representing the heart opening in compassion.

Devotional Practices

• Mantra Recitation: Daily practice of Om Mani Padme Hum, often with goal of 100,000 or even 100 million recitations
• Visualization: Meditating on Avalokiteshvara's form, imagining light rays of compassion emanating from his heart to all beings
• Prayer Wheels: Spinning wheels containing mantras, each rotation counted as one recitation
• Prostrations: Full-body prostrations while reciting the mantra and visualizing the deity
• Nyung Ne: Intensive two-day fasting and silence retreat focused on Avalokiteshvara practice

Offerings

Traditional offerings include white lotus flowers, pure water (representing clarity and purity), incense, butter lamps, and vegetarian food. The most precious offering is cultivating compassion in one's own heart and acting with kindness toward all beings.

Sacred Days

• 19th day of 2nd lunar month: Birthday of Guanyin (Chinese tradition)
• 19th day of 6th lunar month: Enlightenment day of Guanyin
• 19th day of 9th lunar month: Renunciation day of Guanyin