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The Miraculous Mantra of Guan Yin

觀音靈感真言

Guān Yīn Líng Gǎn Zhēn Yán

The Miraculous Mantra of Guan Yin

(Translation by John Szabo)

1. Om Mani Padme Hum. (Oh Divine Treasure-Lotus!)

唵嘛呢叭弥吽。

Ǎn Ma Ne Pa Mí Hōng.

2. Maha Niryana Cittot-Pada. (Great One who is determined to go beyond,)

麻曷倪牙纳积都特巴达。

Má Hé Ní Yá Nà Jī Dōu Tè Bā Dá.

3. Citta-Ksana Vitarka. (Continuously meditating,)

积特些纳微达哩葛。

Jī Tè Xiē Nà Wēi Dá Lī Gé.

4.Sarvartha Bhuri Siddha Kama-Purana. (Reaching all truths in completeness.)

萨而斡而塔卜里悉塔葛纳补啰纳。

Sà Ér Wò Ér Tǎ Bo Lǐ Xī Tǎ Gé Nà Bǔ Luō Nà.

5. Na Bhuri Dyotot-Panna. (Manifestation of Great Light,)

纳卜哩丢忒班纳。

Nà Bo Lī Diū Tè Pān Nà.

6. Namah Lokesvaraya Svaha. (Blessings, oh Guan Yin, Ruler of the World!)

捺麻卢吉说罗耶沙诃。

Nà Má Lú Jí Shuō Luō Yé Shā Hē.

This scripture of Guan Yin is chanted using the Chinese transliteration of the original Sanskrit words. It is thought to bring great spiritual benefits to the chanter, like general good luck, and a deeper grasp of Buddhist teachings – besides the fact that it is a beautiful way of honoring the Goddess.

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Holy Guan Yin (聖觀音)

Name: Holy Guan Yin or Noble Guan Yin圣观音holy guan yin

Chinese: Shèng Guān Yīn 聖觀音

Japanese: Sho Kannon

Sanskrit: Aryavalokitesvara

Holy Guan Yin is one of the historical manifestations of the Goddess, considered by many to be the Her primary form. In this image, She usually holds a lotus flower in Her hand, which is the symbol of both Herself, and the attainment of Enlightenment. Her skin is pure white, representing holiness and purity. With Her universal compassion, She is said to work on easing the sufferings of those in Hell – earthly, or otherwise. She is particularly associated with helping hungry ghosts – beings so helplessly addicted to illusions, that they can never feel any form of satisfaction. Thus, She is the patroness of all, who are working to break from the bonds of addiction, or who are helping others to do so. She is a powerful, and patient manifestation – call on Her power if you are serious about wanting to change your life. Holy Guan Yin can also light the flame of compassion in anyone’s heart.

Mantra: Om Arolik Swaha

This Sanskrit mantra roughly translates as “Salutations to the Pure One!”

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Mantra: Na Mo Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa

南無觀世音菩薩

Ná Mó Guān Shì Yīn Pú Sà

 

namo guanshiyin pu saThis is perhaps the most widely used mantra of Guan Yin in China, at par with Guan Yin’s root mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum. “Na Mo” is a salutation, borrowed from Sanskrit (compare “Namaste”), roughly translated as “Blessing”. Guan Shi Yin is the longer version of the name Guan Yin, it literally means “Listener to the World’s Sounds/Cries”. “Pu Sa” means Bodhisattva – a class of beings in the Buddhist culture, with a similar meaning as a “saint” in Christianity. Although a Bodhisattva is generally a divine being, a god or a goddess, strictly speaking, anybody can become one, who is willing to transform their lives for the benefit of all beings. It’s literal meaning is “Wise Being”. So reading its parts together, Na Mo Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa means “Blessings, O Guan Shi Yin (Listener of the World’s Cries), Wise Being!”. Thus, the mantra can be used as a salutation to the Goddess. For example I use it frequently to pay homage to Her, reciting it seven times, as I offer up incense at Her altar.

In the Chinese tradition, this mantra is said to have wonderful properties, able to save people from danger, if chanted with an open heart. Most likely the belief comes from the Lotus Sutra, which says:

“…Good Man, if all the countless hundreds of thousands of millions of living beings tormented by misery and pain hear of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva, and with all their hearts invoke the name, Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva will immediately respond to their prayers and set them free.

If those who recite the name of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva should fall into a great fire, the fire will not burn them, because of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva’s awesome spiritual power. If they are being tossed about in deep and treacherous waters and call his name, they will quickly reach the shallows…”

I have personally felt the effects of the mantra, and Guan Yin’s help. On numerous occasions I have emerged unharmed from possibly very dangerous situations. At one time, for example, I have lost all my money in a public restaurant – literally all of it, including all my IDs, passport, credit cards, etc. As I stayed in a hostel, I kept everything on my person. Had I really lost it, I wouldn’t have been able to eat, I have no idea how I would have got on from that point. Even the bank wouldn’t have given me my money without an ID. It was also a bad neighborhood – when about an hour later I realized my wallet is gone, I almost knew I had no chance of recovering it. Yet, I chanted Na Mo Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa with an open heart. And as a miracle, my wallet was returned to me by another foreigner, all of it, without a penny missing. The power of the Goddess is truly wonderful.

(Those who learn Chinese, may notice that “Na Mo” is written with the characters “Nan Wu”. This is no mistake. When chanted together, Nan Wu sounds like “Na Nwo”… “N” and “W” together sounds like an “M”. Although there are “Na” and “Mo” characters in Chinese, this is the traditional way of transliteration, and today, when used in this context, Nan and Wu are rendered Na and Mo.)

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The Ten-Line Longevity Sutra of Guan Yin

延命十句觀音經

Yán Mìng Shí Jù Guān Yīn Jīng

The Ten-Line Longevity Sutra of Guan Yin

(Translation by John Szabo)

 

觀世音

1. Guan Shi Yin,

Guān Shì Yīn,

南無佛

2. praying to Buddha,

ná mó Fó,

與佛有因

3. is caused by the Buddha,

yǔ Fó yǒu yīn,

與佛有緣

4. and causes the Buddha.

yǔ Fó yǒu yuán.

佛法僧緣

5. The Enlightened One, the Teachings

and the Community of Followers bring

Fó Fǎ Sēng yuán

常樂我淨

6. Permanence, Happiness, Self-nature

and Purity, the Four Gifts of Enlightenment.

Cháng Lè Wǒ Jìng.

朝念觀世音

7. In the morning, be mindful of Guan Shi Yin,

Cháo niàn Guān Shì Yīn,

暮念觀世音

8. in the evening, be mindful of Guan Shi Yin.

mù niàn Guān Shì Yīn.

念念從心起

9. This mindfulness continually arises in my mind,

Niàn niàn cóng xīn qǐ,

念念不離心

10. this mindfulness never departs from my mind.

niàn niàn bù lí xīn.

ten line guan yin sutra

According to traditional teachings, the recitation of this sutra brings long life to the practitioner, through the power of Guan Yin. The first four lines of this short scripture reminds us of the doctrine of interdependent causation: the teaching that tells us  that nothing has an essential nature on its own, only in relationship to others. Guan Yin can not be Guan Yin without the Buddha (not only the historical person, but the universal essence of Enlightenment), and the Buddha can not be Buddha without Guan Yin. We tend to think of ourselves as isolated beings, but the truth is, we need others in order to be ourselves. This ancient teaching also has environmental connotations – if our existence is dependent on everything else around us, we need to look out not only for people, but also for plants and animals on our planet.

After this the sutra confirms that the Three Jewels (Fa-Fo-Seng in Chinese, Buddha-Dharma-Sangha in Sanskrit, Enlightened One-Teachings-Community of Followers in English) help us achieve Enlightenment, which is manifested in four ways: Permanence, Happiness, Self-nature, and Purity. Right now our state is Impermanent, Not Happy, No Real Self-nature, and Impurity. At least, that is what the illusions that we create make us experience…

The last four lines instruct us to focus our minds on Guan Yin, as a way to reach this enlightened state. One of the ways to interpret this is to try and see Love and Compassion in all things – even in painful, and seemingly unjust situations. After all, Love and Compassion is what Guan Yin is all about. By cultivating mindfulness on Her, and realizing that She truly is present in everything, we can gain a higher, and happier perspective on life.

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Guan Yin – The Goddess of Mercy

Guan Yin altar Her image is seen in most temples, and on most altars of Chinese homes and places of business. The slender figure and the calm, reassuring smile of the Goddess awakens a sense of peace and reverence in anyone who seeks Her with a sincere heart. Guan Yin does not threaten, doesn’t require exclusive dedication, and doesn’t force you to walk the Path of Wisdom through fear. Rather, she inspires us to make ourselves, and our lives better through the caring and understanding love of a real Mother.

Guan Yin is the divine embodiment of the principle of Compassion, Mercy, and Loving Kindness towards all beings, which is also the true nature of Ultimate Reality. She is a Goddess who is worshiped day by day by millions of people all over the planet, especially in China and other regions of East Asia. People regard Her to be a Mother Goddess, a Wise Teacher, a Spiritual Saviour – Her manifestations are limitless. She is revered by people of many faiths: Buddhists, Daoists, Confucianists, Shintoists, Caodaists, Pagans… as Wisdom is truly something that is above and beyond all religions. Today Her popularity is rising also in the West, as people start to feel the wisdom and power that She represents.

The worship of Guan Yin was started by Chinese Buddhists, who regarded compassion for all beings, and the active care for others as essential traits for spiritual fulfillment and liberation. The Indian Buddhist Bodhisattva (“Wise Spiritual Being”), Avalokitesvara was a perfect manifestation of this principle, and His/Her worship became widely popular. The Lotus Sutra, one of the most important texts in the traditional worship of Guan Yin, tells us that She will appear in whatever form that is needed for people to reach enlightenment. The Chinese felt closer to a female representation of Universal Compassion, and thus the figures of traditional Chinese Mother Goddesses and that of Avalokitesvara merged. By translating the Indian name, they started to call Her “Guan Shi Yin”, or “Guan Yin” for short, meaning “Beholder of the World’s Sounds”. It is explained that She doesn’t only listen to every being everywhere, but whoever calls out Her name, receives Her spiritual blessings and protection.

guanyinYou don’t have to be a Buddhist to develop a fulfilling relationship with Guan Yin. In fact, as a Goddess of infinite kindness, all you need is an open heart to approach Her. Many who revere Guan Yin have plural religious identities – for example Buddhists and Pagans at the same time, or none at all. In the end, these are only titles that we use to designate ourselves, and the Goddess advises us not to get too attached to them, because if we do, we become trapped by our Egos. Love and Compassion are universal principles, that reach beyond any specific religious path.

Walking the path of Guan Yin is an enriching experience, because we literally worship Divinity as Compassion, therefore we are continuously inspired to grow beyond our limits, and to become more compassionate and wiser every day. Guan Yin is not only a Goddess, after all, but also a human Bodhisattva, who experienced all those struggles that we go through, and does so even today, as She works on the liberation of beings. As someone both Divine and human, she eliminates the gap between us and Ultimate Reality. She gently guides and inspires us to follow in Her footsteps, and growing to becoming more like Her. You, too can become a living embodiment of enlightenment and happiness, a Bodhisattva, if you dedicate your life to walk in wisdom with the Goddess. She accepts all, and inspires all who call on Her.