The Bodhisattva's Mission
"I take upon myself the deed of all
beings, even those in the hells, in the other worlds and in the realms of punishment.
I take their sufferings upon me, I bear it, I do not draw back from it, I do not tremble at it,
I have no fear of it. I do not lose heart, I must bear the burden of all beings for I have vowed to
save all things living, to bring them safe trough the forest of birth, age, disease, birth and
re-birth. I think not of my own salvation, but strive to bestow on all beings the royalty of supreme
wisdom. So I take upon myself all the sorrows of all beings. I resolve to bear every torment in every
purgatory of the universe. For it is better that I alone should suffer than that the multitude of
living beings should suffer. I give myself in exchange. I redeem the universe from the forest of
purgatory, from the womb of flesh, from the realm of death. I agree to suffer as a ransom for all
beings, and for the sake of all beings. Truly, I will not abandon them. For I have resolved to gain
supreme wisdom for the sake of all."
from the Vajradhvaja Sutra
Kuan Yin Bodhisattva |
The Twelve Vows To Kwan-Yin Bodhisattva
"I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin, the Tathagata, with
the title Boundless Understanding, the name Great
Liberation, who raised the Immeasurable Vow.
I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin, the Tathagata, of
one thought and a mind of no obstacles, who vowed
to stay always in the Southern World.
I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin, the Tathagata, who
vowed to stay in samsara, in the realm of darkness,
listening to the cries and rescuing sentient beings.
I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin, the Tathagata, the
conqueror of raksas and destroyer of evil spirits,
who took the vow to end all troubles and difficulties.
I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin the Tathagata, who
holds the bowl of pure water and willow branch, who
took the vow to sprinkle sacred water to calm the
mind of humankind.
I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin, the Tathagata, the
great compassionate, forgiving one, who took the
vow to practice equanimity at all times.
I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin, the Tathagata, who
day and night is the destroyer of obstacles, who
took the vow to destroy the three realms of
suffering.
I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin, the Tathagata, who
faces south, diligently practicing, who took the vow
to cut all fetters and knots.
I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin, the Tathagata, the
maker of the dharma boat which rows in the suffering
ocean, who took the vow to save all sentient beings.
I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin, the Tathagata, with
streamers in front and a canopy behind, who took
the vow to guide beings to the Western World.
I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin, the Tathagata, who
resides in the Realm of the Buddha of Unlimited Life,
who took the vow to be the helper of Amitabha
Buddha.
I respectfully bow to Kwan-Yin, the Tathagata, the
honorable one with a body without imperfections,
created by the twelve great vows."
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