The Great Bodhisattva Guanyin

Master Sheng Yen original: 釋聖嚴 (Shì Shèngyán); a renowned 20th-century Buddhist monk and scholar (1930–2009) known for founded the Dharma Drum Mountain organization and bringing Zen practice to a global audience.

Guanyin Bodhisattva original: 觀音菩薩 (Guānyīn Púsà); the Bodhisattva of Compassion, also known in Sanskrit as Avalokiteshvara. has the deepest affinity with the common people of our nation. Consequently, among those who follow the Buddhist faith, there is none who does not have faith in Guanyin; some even go so far as to let their devotion to Guanyin represent the entirety of their Buddhist belief.

Indeed, the primary spirit of Buddhism is Great Kindness and Great Compassion original: 大慈大悲 (dà cí dà bēi); "Kindness" refers to the wish to bring happiness to others, while "Compassion" is the desire to remove their suffering., and it just so happens that Guanyin Bodhisattva is the representative of this very spirit. Therefore, while some among the Chinese public may know that the founder of the Buddhist religion is Shakyamuni Buddha original: 釋迦牟尼佛 (Shìjiāmóunífó); the historical Buddha who lived in India approximately 2,500 years ago., there is virtually no one who does not know of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

However, those who truly understand Guanyin Bodhisattva are few. Common devotion to Guanyin usually views her simply as a Bodhisattva who responds to every plea original: 有求必應 (yǒu qiú bì yìng); a popular idiom suggesting that the deity will grant any sincere request or prayer.. Because accounts of her miraculous spiritual responses are especially numerous, three Guanyin Dharma Assemblies original: 法會 (fǎhuì); ritual gatherings for prayer, chanting, and teaching. are held each year on the nineteenth day of the second, sixth, and ninth months of the lunar calendar... The original Chinese text ends here mid-sentence. These dates traditionally mark Guanyin's birthday, her enlightenment, and the day she took her vows.