The term kindness means
love for all beings. Compassion starts
with sorrow at the suffering of all beings
and induces action to reduce their suffering.
Apart from Amitabha Buddha,
there are two great Bodhisattvas in Suhkavati,
namely Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta
in Buddhism. These three sages are known
as “Three Holy Ones in the West”. As one
of the Four Great Bodhisattvas, Avalokitesvara
represents the pinnacle of kindness and
compassion, and consequently is known
as “The Great Compassion Bodhisattva”.
Avalokitesvara is one of the most important
and popular Buddhist deities in East Asia
and Tibet. According to Buddhist sutras,
Avalokitesvara transforms into many different
forms so as to cross over all the beings.
She has vowed to save all sentient beings
from the nearly endless round of sufferings
in samsara.
Thousand-armed, Thousand-eyed
Avalokitesvara is one of the incarnations
of Avalokitesvara. Her thousand arms and
eyes are used to support and guide the
world of mortals. She has altogether eleven
faces. Her two front arms clasp together
to carry a Muni pearl while another two
arms hold a flower and a mala respectively,
which typifies her endless wish to save
mankind from all sufferings. Similar to
a peacock spreading its tail, Avalokitesvara
spreads out her thousand hands like a
fan in a few layers, and this symbolizes
the release of enlightenment and wisdom.
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