The Bodhisattva Guanyin

The Bodhisattva Who Hears the Cries of the World original: "KUAN SAY IM PHOR SART," which is the Hokkien/Southern Min Chinese romanization of the Bodhisattva's name.

The

Eighty-

Four

Manifestations

of the

Great

Compassion

Mantra

The Great Compassion Mantra, or Dharani, is one of the most popular chants in Mahayana Buddhism. It is believed that the Bodhisattva Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) takes on eighty-four distinct forms—ranging from fierce guardians to serene celestial beings—to rescue sentient beings from different types of suffering. Each line of the mantra corresponds to one of these manifestations.

Traditional woodcut illustration: A finely detailed depiction of the Bodhisattva Guanyin rendered in red ink. The Bodhisattva stands upon a blooming lotus flower, wearing flowing robes and intricate jewelry. A large circular halo, representing divine light and enlightenment, surrounds the head.