Introduction to Avalokiteshvara — The Bodhisattva of Compassion

Avalokitesvara, also known as Chenrezig in Tibetan and Guanyin in Chinese, is a bodhisattva (a being who has vowed to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings) revered in Buddhism for embodying compassion. He is depicted with multiple arms and heads to signify his ability to perceive and alleviate suffering. Avalokitesvara, the Buddhist deity of compassion, is said to manifest in 108 different forms, each representing a unique aspect of his compassionate nature. These forms are not separate entities, but rather different emanations or expressions of the same Bodhisattva. The number 108 is significant in Buddhism, often symbolizing the eradication of worldly afflictions and the path to enlightenment.

Mythological Origins & Stories

1. The Bodhisattva’s Vow and Compassion Overwhelmed: Avalokitesvara vowed before Amitabha Buddha to never rest until all sentient beings are liberated from samsara. Yet, upon sensing how many remained in suffering, his distress caused his head to shatter into eleven pieces. Amitabha responded by granting him eleven heads so he could better hear their pleas. Then, as Avalokitesvara tried to help, his arms too broke—so Amitabha gave him a thousand arms to reach out and aid all beings.
2. Symbolism of the Eleven Heads and Thousand Arms: Eleven heads represent multiple perspectives and the capacity to hear the cries of suffering from all directions. Thousand arms symbolize boundless action and compassion—each hand (often with an eye) signifies both awareness and skilful means to assist countless beings.

Cultural and Historical Perspectives

• Avalokiteshvara in Tibetan Buddhism: In Tibetan Buddhism, Avalokiteshvara is known as Chenrezig. One of his most important emanations is his thousand-armed form. The iconography is replete with particular references, such as the deerskin draped over his shoulder (gentleness), the lotus flower (purity), and the wish-granting jewel (the ability to grant wishes). He holds a special status in Tibet, particularly in the Gelug school, and is revered as a national deity.
• The Compassion Was Feminized — Avalokiteshvara to Guanyin: Avalokiteshvara became the immensely popular female divinity Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. The thousand-armed and thousand-eyed form is a well-known version. A traditional Chinese legend narrates about Princess Miaoshan, who sacrifices her eyes and hands to assist her father. Her selfless sympathy is rewarded as she is transformed into Guanyin with a thousand arms and a thousand eyes, becoming a universal savior. This transformation reflects the cultural association between compassion and feminine, matrilineal virtues, tracing the deity’s evolution from masculine origins in India to the beloved feminine goddess in East Asia.
• Avalokiteshvara's Appearance in the World: Avalokiteshvara is worshipped in various countries, from the temples of Southeast Asia to the Himalayan monasteries, reflecting a diversity of devotional practices.

Sacred Texts and the Karandavyuha Sutra

In the Karandavyuha Sutra, Avalokitesvara manifests in countless forms tailored to the needs of beings from different faiths—demonstrating infinite compassion. He even vowed that if his compassion waned, his form would shatter into a thousand pieces. In one account, his grief at ongoing suffering caused him to break apart; Amitabha then restored him with the thousand arms and eleven heads, blessing each hand with the eyes of a thousand Buddhas to perceive and relieve suffering wherever it exists.

The most well-known Avalokiteshvara mantra is Om Mani Padme Hum, a six-syllable mantra sacred in Tibetan Buddhism as a representation of Avalokiteshvara’s compassion.

Mantras for Avalokiteshvara

Om Mani Padme Hum is sometimes interpreted differently, but generally:

• Om: Represents the undefiled sublime body, speech, and mind of a Buddha.
• Mani: The jewel, signifying the will to attain enlightenment.
• Padme: The lotus flower, symbolizing wisdom and purity.
• Hum: The invariability of method and wisdom.

This mantra is regarded as extremely powerful. According to Buddhist tradition, reciting it a hundred or a thousand times may be equal in merit to reciting the entire Kangyur (Buddhist canon), while reciting it a million times is said to bring one to Buddhahood. In addition to Om Mani Padme Hum, other mantras correspond to Avalokiteshvara’s various forms, such as the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara, though Om Mani Padme Hum remains the most renowned and widely practiced.