An often asked question is whether World-Voice-Perceiver is male or female. Many people think she is female. [In Chinese, her name is translated as Kwan Yin, and she is frequently depicted as the gentle “Lady of Mercy.”] That is not exactly correct, however. The true answer to the question depends on people’s desires. If someone wishes to see a beautiful woman, the Bodhisattva looks like just such a woman to that person. If someone wants to see a great man [or a god], the Bodhisattva appears as such a man [or god]. World-Voice-Perceiver is neither masculine nor feminine, but either one or the other. He or she looks male or female depending on people’s desires. Actually, in Sanskrit, all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have masculine names, and for that reason they are usually identified as male.
Introduction to the Lotus SutraTag Archives: LS29
Day 29
Day 29 covers all of Chapter 25, The Universal Gate of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva.
Having last month learned of the merits to be earned by keeping the name of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva, we learn how World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva goes about this Sahā-World:
World-Honored One! How does World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva go about this Sahā-World? How does he expound the Dharma to the living beings? What expedients does he employ?”
The Buddha said to Endless-Intent Bodhisattva:
“Good man! In a certain world, World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva takes the shape of a Buddha and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a Buddha. He takes the shape of a Pratyekabuddha and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a Pratyekabuddha. He takes the shape of a Śrāvaka and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a Śrāvaka. He takes the shape of King Brahman and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by King Brahman. He takes the shape of King Śakra and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by King Śakra. He takes the shape of Freedom God and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by Freedom God. He takes the shape of Great-Freedom God and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by Great-Freedom God. He takes the shape of a great general in heaven and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a great general in heaven. He takes the shape of Vaiśravaṇa and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by Vaiśravaṇa. He takes the shape of the king of a small country and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by the king of a small country. He takes the shape of a rich man and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a rich man. He takes the shape of a householder and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a householder. He takes the shape of a prime minister and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a prime minister. He takes the shape of a brahmana and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a brāhmana. He takes the shape of a bhikṣu, a bhikṣunī, an upāsakā or an upāsikā and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a bhikṣu, a bhikṣunī, an upāsakā or an upāsikā. He takes the shape of a wife and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by the wife of a rich man, of a householder, of a prime minister, or of a brāhmana. He takes the shape of a boy or a girl and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by a boy or a girl. He takes the shape of a god, a dragon, a yakṣa, a gandharva, an asura, a garuda, a kiṃnara, a mahoraga, a human being or a nonhuman being and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by one or another of these living beings. He takes the shape of Vajra-Holding God and expounds the Dharma to those who are to be saved by Vajra-Holding God.
“Endless-Intent! This World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva does these meritorious deeds. He takes various shapes, walks about many worlds, and saves the living beings [of those worlds]. Make offerings to World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva with all your hearts! This World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva-mahāsattva gives fearlessness [to those who are] in fearful emergencies. Therefore, he is called the ‘Giver of Fearlessness’ in this Sahā-World.”
World-Voice-Perceiver’s 33 Transformations
[In Chapter 25, The Universal Gate of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva,] Endless-Intent Bodhisattva (Aksayamati) asks Sakyamuni, “What expedients does World-Voice-Perceiver (Avalokitesvara) employ to expound the law in this world?”
Answering this question, Sakyamuni says that World-Voice-Perceiver can transform himself into thirty-three different forms to save people. This is similar to the way Wonderful-Voice transforms himself into thirty-four bodies. However, there are a few differences between the two. World-Voice-Perceiver takes on any of the following thirty-three forms:
(1) a Buddha, (2) a Pratyekabuddha, (3) a Sravaka, (4) Heavenly-King-Brahman, (5) King Sakra, (6) Freedom God (Isvara), (7) Great-Freedom God (Mahesvara), (8) a commander of heavenly hosts, (9) the god Vaisravana, (10) the king of a small country, (11) a rich man, (12) a householder, (13) a prime minister, (14) a Brahman [or Brahmin, a member of the highest Indian caste], (15) a monk, (16) a nun, (17) a man of pure faith, (18) a woman of pure faith, (19) the wife of a rich man, (20) the wife of a householder,
(21) the wife of a prime minister, (22) the wife of a Brahman,
(23) a boy or a girl, (24) a god, (25) a dragon, (26) a yaksa, (27) a gandharva, (28) an asura, (29) a garuda, (30) a kimnara, (31) a mahoraga, (32) a human or nonhuman being, and (33) the Vajra-holding God (p. 318-19).
Not only do all of us have different faces and forms, but also different beliefs and aspirations according to our race, nationality, occupation, social status, age, education, and so forth. A leader must understand people’s feelings, and display an attitude and appearance that are harmonious with theirs. That is why this Bodhisattva transforms himself into other living beings.
“Good man,” says Sakyamuni, “In a certain world, World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva takes the shape of a Buddha in order to save those who are to be saved by a Buddha. He takes the shape of Vajradhara [God of Power and Might] by those who are to be saved by Vajradhara” (p. 318-19).
Introduction to the Lotus SutraDay 29
Day 29 covers all of Chapter 25, The Universal Gate of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva.
Having last month continued the listing of benefits for those who call his name, we learn of the merits to be earned by keeping the name of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva.
“Endless-Intent! Suppose a good man or woman keeps the names of six thousand and two hundred million Bodhisattvas, that is, of as many Bodhisattvas as there are sands in the River Ganges, and offers drink, food, clothing, bedding and medicine to them throughout his or her life. What do you think of this? Are his or her merits many or not?”
Endless-Intent said, “Very many. World-Honored One!”
The Buddha said:
“Anyone who keeps the name of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva and bows and makes offerings to him even for a moment, will be given as many merits as to be given to the good man or woman as previously stated. The merits will not be exhausted even after hundreds of thousands of billions of kalpas. Endless-Intent! Anyone who keeps the name of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva will be given these benefits of innumerable merits and virtues.”
Perceiver of Our Voices
In this world, we have many problems and sorrows, and since we are not able to overcome them ourselves, we complain about them loudly. When World-Voice-Perceiver hears our voices, he immediately discerns what our problem is, solves it, and leads us towards enlightenment. That is the reason for his name. In Asia, millions of people chant his name sincerely for delivery from their troubles.
Introduction to the Lotus SutraDay 29
Day 29 covers all of Chapter 25, The Universal Gate of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva.
Having last month heard the benefit for those who call his name, we hear more benefits.
“Those who have much lust will be saved from lust if they constantly think of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva and respect him. Those who have much anger will be saved from anger if they constantly think of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva and respect him. Those who have much stupidity will be saved from stupidity if they constantly think of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva and respect him. Endless-Intent! World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva has these great supernatural powers. He gives many benefits to all living beings. Therefore, they should constantly think of him.
“A woman who, wishing to have a boy, bows and makes offerings to World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva, will be able to give birth to a boy endowed with merits, virtues and wisdom. [A woman] who, wishing to have a girl, [does the same,] will be able to give birth to a beautiful girl who will be loved and respected by many people because of the roots of virtue which the [newly-born] girl planted in her previous existence. Endless-Intent! Because World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva has these powers, the merits of those who respect him and bow to him will not be fruitless. Therefore, all living beings should keep the name of World-Voice-Perceiver Bodhisattva.