Anger is a Feng Shui Poison…

Being somebody who got quite a temper, believe me when I say that anger is one of the worst poisons that can destroy our luck and/or our good Feng Shui.

In Buddhism, it is said that there are three poisons of existence, and these are IGNORANCE, ATTACHMENT, and ANGER. Shakyamuni Buddha (also speeled as Sakyamuni) said that these three are the root of all sufferings; I must add though that I think anger is the most destructive of all three poisons of existence.

How many of us have experience for anger to cause us a big problem. This may be problem with our boss, with our employee, with a family member or with a partner. Chances are most if not all has experienced this, it may be in varying degree, but I bet most of us in this world has experienced this. Furthermore, anger might also cost us to lose our job, to have a broken family, or for some to have a destroyed future. Just about a week or two ago, there was news on TV that told of a father who beat his daughter and even put her into flame just because he was angry. When asked why did he do that to his daughter, he said he lost control and because he knows that his wife loves their daughter very much, and that when he became really angry he set out to destroy the thing that his wife loves most.

Anger is a very powerful emotion, and it is something that we need to control. It is always easier said than done.

I remember when I was still not really into Buddhism and Feng Shui; I had a fight with my sister because of a small matter. We end up not talking to each other for a year, although we have long forgotten what we fought about, but the anger was still there lingering in our hearts. So you see, I’m sharing this because it also showed that anger is such an irrational emotion that can linger for a long time.

The web is full of different suggestions on how we can deal with anger. Go to the bookstore and there are a lot of books talking about how can one control over their emotions. This post is not about that, I suggest you go to the bookstore and search the web for this helpful suggestions. But whatever you do one thing is pretty obvious, the decision to control anger should come from within us, and should be decided upon with a firm determination. That’s how I started dealing with it. Now, I find myself being able to control over my temper better.

In Buddhism and Feng Shui, there are a lot of things that can help us be calmer and help us control our temper better. Allow me to share some of them here.

PRAYER WHEEL. Just a few days ago, I talked about the Prayer Wheel and how it helped me handle a delicate situation. The post is entitled – THE POWER OF A PRAYER WHEEL: A PERSONAL TESTIMONY. However, a Prayer Wheel because it has a lot of Mantras inside it also has a calming effect with the people around it, or for those who wear one around their neck. Do make a habit of spinning your Prayer Wheel to help activate the mantras inside it

I personally have a hand held, table top, and pendant Prayer Wheel. A Prayer Wheel has a very good calming effect.

IMAGE OF KUAN YIN (also spelled as QUAN YIN). The image of Kuan Yin or the Bodhisattva of Compassion, either when displayed at home or worn as a pendant also has a very calming effect. Just simply having the image of the Kuan Yin / Quan Yin will bestow upon us some of the attributes of Kuan Yin. Kuan Yin is the female manifestation of Avalokitesvara.

CHANT A MANTRA. Chanting a mantra also helps a lot in helping us control our temper. Other than its effect of prolonging the reaction, much like when we count one to ten, it also imbibe us with the calming effect of the mantra itself.

Special Energizing Buddhist, Taoist, and Feng Shui Rituals to Bring Wealth, Career, and Personal Success (7): Make Peace with the Spiritual Realm Through Incense, Holy Sound, and Mantras

It is extremely boastful for us to think that we don’t live with the unseen beings. We should all acknowledge that the spiritual realm surrounds us, and that we are surrounded by spiritual beings.

Sometimes, there are things that we do that may offend the spiritual beings and since we are unable to communicate with them, it is important that we constantly ‘make peace’ with them by constantly offering incense and holy sounds through the ringing of bells and/or singing bowls.

As an offering to the spirits, sandalwood is best.

Singing Bowl, which is believe to produce holy sounds.

Chanting a mantra dedicated to them is also a very effective way of ‘making peace’ with them. The mantra of the Bodhisattva of Compassion– OM MANI PADME HUM – or the mantra of the Medicine Buddha – TADYATHA OM BHEKANDZYE BHEKANDZYE MAHA BHEKANDZYE BHEKANDZYE RADZA SAMUGATE SOHA – are just two of the most wonderful mantras that we can chant for the spiritual beings that surround us.

DO READ THE OTHER ‘SPECIAL ENERGIZING BUDDHIST, TAOIST, AND FENG SHUI RITUALS TO BRING FINANCIAL, CAREER, AND PERSONAL SUCCESS’ ARTICLES: (1) Tap the Power of the Sun’s Yang Energy; (2) Tap the Power of the Buddhist and/or Taoist Auspicious and Sacred Symbols by Displaying Them at Your Home or Workplace; (3) Upsurge the Yang Energy of Your Front Door and Living Room; (4) Wear Some Mantra or Seed Syllable as Jewelry; (5) Put Sacred Objects/Images in Your Home and Workplace; (6) Read Sacred Texts to Imbibe Different Kinds of Blessing; (7) Make Peace with the Spiritual Realms Through Incense, Holy Sound, and Mantras.

Special Energizing Buddhist, Taoist, and Feng Shui Rituals to Bring Wealth, Career, and Personal Success (6): Read Sacred Texts to Imbibe Different Kinds of Blessing

In Buddhism, reading or carrying a sutra will imbibe the blessing of a Buddha or Bodhisattva to whom the sutra comes from. I personally read the Medicine Buddha sutra everyday. It’s quite long but if you are in a rush, reading the shortest sutra in the world, which is the – THE HEART SUTRA – which is the Sutra of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, will also do.

The HEART SUTRA which is also one of the Sutras of the Bodhisattva of Compassion is the shortest sutra in the world. This is the Chinese version of the sutra.

Reading a sutra is a very powerful way to open up yourself to the blessings of the Buddhas or Bodhisattvas. More importantly, it cleanses you from negative energies and negative karma. Sutras also carries with them protective attributes that work like amulets and by simply carrying the sutra or reading them you spiritually acquire these protective attributes.

For non-Buddhists, I was told that the Koran and the Bible might also bestow some blessings to the reader simply by looking at it.

DO READ THE OTHER ‘SPECIAL ENERGIZING BUDDHIST, TAOIST, AND FENG SHUI RITUALS TO BRING FINANCIAL, CAREER, AND PERSONAL SUCCESS’ ARTICLES: (1) Tap the Power of the Sun’s Yang Energy; (2) Tap the Power of the Buddhist and/or Taoist Auspicious and Sacred Symbols by Displaying Them at Your Home or Workplace; (3) Upsurge the Yang Energy of Your Front Door and Living Room; (4) Wear Some Mantra or Seed Syllable as Jewelry; (5) Put Sacred Objects/Images in Your Home and Workplace; (6) Read Sacred Texts to Imbibe Different Kinds of Blessing; (7) Make Peace with the Spiritual Realms Through Incense, Holy Sound, and Mantras.

Pablo, 2012′s Strongest Philippine Typhoon!

Typhoon Pablo has an international name of Bopha.

It seems like yesterday when the Philippines was hit by Sendong, where a lot of people died, families were broken, and dreams shattered. That happened a month before Christmas. Now, the same people who were affected by Sendong will have to go through the ordeal of facing Pablo.

Pablo, according to the US experts is a Category 5 Typhoon, but the limitations of Philippine Typhoon Signal guidelines only categorized it up to Signal No. 3. Nevertheless, authorities I believe has given ample warning about the damage that Pablo can deliver.

Most of us won’t be able to physically do anything about it. However, I would like to urge everybody to pray for those who are affected or going to be severely affected by Pablo. It doesn’t matter whether we have the same belief just say a prayer to your God.

For Buddhists, or for those who believes in chanting a mantra, urge you to chant a mantra for those who will have to go through Typhoon Pablo’s wrath.

I suggest to say the Mantra of the Bodhisattva of Compassion – OM MANI PADME HUM, and the Mantra of Medicine Buddha – TADYATHA OM BHEKANDZYE BHEKANDZYE MAHA BHEKANDZYE BHEKANDZYE RADZA SAMUGATE SOHA. Chant it as many times as you can and dedicate it to the typhoon victims. If you’re busy 108 times or one full mala will do.

UPATED DEC. 4, 2012 18:38

It was just announced that Typhoon Pablo is the strongest typhoon to hit Mindanao in two decades. Read more about it by clicking here.

The Power of a Prayer Wheel: A Personal Testimony

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you’d know by now that I’m a great believer of the PRAYER WHEEL. In fact, I’ve written it a number of times, one of which is entitled – THE POWER OF A PRAYER WHEEL – and another time I shared about its power in a post entitled – A PERSONAL TESTIMONY: TAPPING INTO BUDDHISM, TAOISM, AND FENG SHUI FOR A POSITIVE OUTCOME OF A DELICATE SITUATION.

Today, I would like to once again tell you about a recent miraculous experience that I had about the powers of the Prayer Wheel.

I recently went to Cebu where we’re to have a big event. However, two days before the event we were told by the organizers that we haven’t been granted a permit by the mayor of Cebu City and Mandaue City. We need their permit because we are suppose to bike around both cities.

This created a lot of angry heads because all of us has been unintentionally misled that there’d be no problem in getting the permit. With two days before the event, and it being a Friday afternoon, our event is on a Sunday, everybody was hopeless and not very optimistic that we’ll still be able to get the permit.

Not pushing through with the event is going to be a big disgrace to all the companies involve because we’ve flown in some media from Manila to cover the event, invited all the media in Cebu also to cover the event, and most of all, the foreign principals of the companies involve flown in from their respective countries just to be at the event.

After some bickering and a number of threat to go to court, some of us has convinced the group to let cooler heads prevail and to discuss what we can do. The group agreed that there’s nothing else we can do except to go to the respective LGUs involve and ask for the permit. But then again we came to that decision because there’s really nothing else that we can do, but we also know that we’ve got nothing to lose in trying again. Nobody thought of verbalizing that it’s already a Friday afternoon (2pm).

It was decided that we’d separate ourselves into 2 groups. I together with one of my client will go to the office of the mayor of Cebu City, while my assistant and another group of client will go to the office of the mayor of Mandaue City.

I didn’t put up much hope that we’ll accomplish anything but as mentioned we’ve got nothing to lose. I’m just happy that I’m wearing my WISH FULFILLING AND BUDDHA’S BLESSING MANTRA PENDANT, which has the Victory Banner.

The Front Side of the WISH FULFILLING AND BUDDHA’S BLESSING MANTRA PENDANT

The back side of the WISH FULFILLING AND BUDDHA MANTRA BLESSING PENDANT has the images of the Victory Banner, Lung-Ta or Windhorse, the seed syllable of the Goddess Tara – TAM, and the symbolic script of the MEDICINE BUDDHA MANTRA, WISH FULFILLING MANTRA, and the NEGATIVE KARMA CLEANSING MANTRA.

As mentioned in my previous posts, the VICTORY BANNER or BANNER OF VICTORY is a very good Feng Shui tool of Buddhist origin to help ensure that we will be successful in our endeavors.

The Victory Banner

However, I also note, that the VICTORY BANNER is not really the charm for getting luck in last minute situations like this. Nevertheless, I’m also fortunate enough to be wearing my PRAYER WHEEL pendant!

So while we were on our way to the office of the mayor of Cebu City, I kept on spinning my PRAYER WHEEL pendant, at the same alternately chanting the mantra(if you want to know more about mantras, do read my post entitled - Mantra: The Instrument to Tap the Power of Symbolic Sound, Script, and Thought) OM MANI PADME HUM and mentally stating the intent, which is to be able to get a permit. My clients were asking me what am I doing, whether I’m trying to invoke some miracle, and all I said is that yes I’m trying to invoke some miracle. They laugh a little but also said that they hope it works.

Symbolic Script of the Mantra of the Buddha of Compassion

When we got to Cebu City Hall, we saw the mayor coming out of building. We felt compelled to approach him, thankfully he has very few security and they’re not very tight, and I was able to talk to introduce myself, tell him about our dilemma and that we desperately need a permit. He didn’t really ask for a lot of details but instructed a guy to call up the City Administrator to inform him that he the mayor has given the permit, all he they need to do is to prepare and expedite the paper works!!!

One down! My clients all said that the ‘magic’ seems to be working. We also decided that they will stay and wait for the permit and that I should join the other group who at that time was told that the mayor that they want to see is currently in a meeting and won’t be able to see them until early evening. Before I left, my clients jokingly told me to keep on spinning the pendant and create another magic.

On my way to Mandaue City, I decided to continuously spin my prayer wheel pendant and again I continuously chant the mantra of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, which is OM MANI PADME HUM, and alternately mentally stating the intent.

The biggest image of Kuan Yin in the world is in China. Quan Yin or Kuan Yin is better known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

 

When I got to Mandaue City Hall, I saw the other group still waiting to be escorted inside. At that time, there’s nothing else we can do but except to wait, and from time to time plead that we be allowed to see the mayor. After about 15 minutes after I got there, an elderly woman came out to ask us why do we need to see the mayor or the city administrator. My assistant explained the situation, and why do we need to have the event. She went inside again, telling us to wait while she checks out what she can do. Nobody went to see us again for the next 30 minutes and we were all losing hope, although, I still kept on spinning my prayer wheel. 45 minutes after the lady left us she came out with a piece of paper, and informed us that we have the permit!!!!

Needless to say everybody was happy! The event was very successful, and those who said hurtful things at the heat of the moment started apologizing. Those who were at the receiving end of the hurtful words accepted the apologies and there were two people who requested that I get them a prayer wheel and several of them asked me about the prayer wheel.

My prayer wheel pendant is from Nepal and has been with me for several years now. I’ve been thinking of replacing it for quite some time now because it is no longer in the best condition and the top has started to dislodge. Although, I must say that it is still very powerful and effective. However, on that same trip I went to Shangri-La Mactan, and while I was monkey-ing around with some friends at the beach side I lost balance got dipped in the water while still wearing my prayer wheel pendant. I guess that’s a clear sign that I should get a new prayer wheel…and I will because the Prayer Wheel is one of the most powerful Buddhist tools that can be use as a Feng Shui amulet, available to us!!!

Fu, The Taoist’s Magical Paper Talisman

I have been wanting to write about the Fu (Mandarin) or Hu (Foo Kien) for quite some time now, however, I debated whether it is proper for me to write about the Fu because it is something that is not easily available or something that can be bought in a store.

This Fu is from a Taoist temple in Valenzuela called Bi Tsong Put (pronounced as Bee Chong Poot). Depending on the Fu, one usually burns a set, one set is usually 3 pieces.

Fu or Hu is a Taoist magical paper talisman. Fu is an ancient and special form of ‘magic’ or sorcery (sorcery is not exactly negative unless use in a negative way) that uses special characters or images or symbols or prayers or words ‘printed’ on a yellow rice paper in red ink. It is believed that a Fu can store a magic spells and good chi. While anybody can make a Fu or Hu, it entails a special skill and blessing from a Taoist God  for you to be able to lock the magic spell or chi in the said magical paper talisman. To do this one has to be an ordained Taoist priest or a Taoist God medium. The said chi and spell is further locked into the Fu by making sure that it passes through the incense burner dedicated to the said Taoist God, Immortal or Deity mentioned in the Fu.

Anyone can activate and tap into the power of the Fu by carrying the magical paper talisman on one’s body, putting them on the window or door, or placing in the room, or simply by burning them. Most Fu or Hu are burned while one calls on the God, Deity or Immortal represented by the Fu followed by the intent. However, as mentioned, there are some Fu that are to be worn on the body like an amulet, or place on the door, etc.

Fu(s), I believe, is one of the most powerful talisman in the world, provided you get it from a reliable source, and from somebody who is not driven by monetary reasons. Unfortunately, in the Philippines, there are some temples that sell their Fu. I don’t believe that this is right, especially, if there are patrons who have greatly benefited from tapping the power of the Fu, that they sponsor printing of Fu(s).

There are different kinds of Fu(s), depending on the temple and sometimes depending on the purpose or intent of the person needing the Fu. One can use a Fu to invoke a God/Deity/Immortal’s help, to protect a household, heal the sick, or exorcise demons or bad spirits. Some people would associate the Fu like a petition paper, or a court order depending on the purpose or intent.

This is a Fu that I burn every morning. It is a Fu of a Taoist Temple in Abad Santos St., Manila called – CHEAT TAI SOON. Unlike most Fu, one set of this is 7 pieces.

There is no clear record as to what Chinese civilization first used the Fu, however, the Fu is mentioned in a lot of Chinese religious and political texts. An apocryphal Taoist text call Ku Wei Shu or Old Mystical Test, the role of Fu is associated with the last legendary Five Emperors of China, especially with Great Emperor Yu, the mysterious Emperor who founded the Hsia Dynasty.

It is said that the Great Emperor has stop a terrible flood that has devastated most of China by burning several Fu of the Goddess of the North Star.

This is the Fu of the Goddess of Mercy / Bodhisattva of Compassion / Kuan Yin. I make sure I burn at least one set of her Fu everyday.

Personally, I can attest to the power of the Fu, and I use it a lot in conjunction of my mantras and Feng Shui.

There was this one time when one of our houseboy went into a epileptic attack, some say he was being possessed by a spirit, we don’t really know, but I specifically remember my mom just got a set of Fu, burned it and after less than a minutes our houseboy became visibly relax. He was sent to the hospital, but the hospital said that they don’t think he had an epileptic attack, and our houseboy claims that he saw a dark shadow hovering over him.

This is the Fu of The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven – Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong has three different kind of Fu. This one is for personal, family matters.

Another experience with the power of the Fu that I had, happened when I was still involve in an NGO. One of our managers got an educational grant in Berlin, but he has to pay for her own airfare and board and lodging. The organization raised funds for her board and lodging, however, nobody has volunteered to shoulder her airfare. We decided to write to several politicians, travel agencies, and famous businessman. Unfortunately, all of them turned down our request, except for one Chinese businessman. When we called up his office, his secretary informed us that her boss has read the letter but that he really hasn’t replied. We are quite desperate already because our colleague is scheduled to leave in 2 days and she still hasn’t raise her airfare fund. We beg the secretary of the Chinese businessman to give us time to present our cause to the businessman himself, the secretary agreed and said we should go to their office that same afternoon and she’ll see whether she can give us 5 minutes with the Chinese businessman. We immediately left, and for some reason, I decided to bring a set of Fu (one set is 3 pieces) of The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven Sun Wukong.On our way, the secretary called my colleagues mobile phone and said that there’s no need for us to go because her boss has already informed her that he can’t finance my colleague’s trip. My colleague informs the secretary that we are already downstairs and begged her to still allow seeing the Chinese businessman. The secretary agreed and I decided to burn the Fu with the intent of getting the businessman to finance my colleague’s trip to Berlin. To make the long story short, we went up, had an audience with the businessman, and was asked a single question – How would the country benefit from this trip? – My friend gave her reply and she got the funds for her airfare!

This is another Sun Wukong’s Fu. This one is for business. There’s another one but I don’t have a copy of it, that is for health.

I know somebody who is sick of cancer and was given a ‘death sentence’ by his doctor. He started burning some Fu and now he is well. Even his doctor was surprised that he won over the cancer.

There are a lot more stories about the power of the Fu, be it about money, business, personal problems, etc. The Fu has always made magical solutions for seemingly unsolvable problems.

For one to be able to tap into the power of the Fu, the Fu is burned. You call on the Immortal/Deity represented in the Fu, then you say your intent. However, there are some Fu that can be worn on the body and or placed on the door, etc.

Communicating with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas Using a ‘Mo’

A few nights ago I had a big scare, I woke up in the middle of the night with a severe chest pain and slight difficulty in breathing. The first thing that occurred to me is that I might be having a heart attack. The fact that I know that I have the illness star at that time intensified this fear.

The first thing that I did was to say one full mala (108 times) of the Medicine Buddha Mantra – TADYATHA OM BHAKNADZYE BHEKANDZYE MAHA BHEKANDZYE BHEKANDZYE RADZA SAMUGATE SOHA. After reciting the full mala, I blew on my right hand and rubbed it on my chest while sincerely praying to the Medicine Buddha to heal me.

I immediately felt a little better after reciting the Medicine Buddha mantra. However, I need to assess whether I still need to rush myself to the hospital, knowing that heart attack may be deceiving and you might not feel anything at all. I don’t want to wake my siblings up and scare them.

Not sure whether I’m really having a heart attack or not, I decided to ask the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Kuan Yin. I did this by doing an oracle or MO using my mala.

A MO is a form of oracle, one use this to divine what the Buddhas or the Bodhisattvas are trying to communicate with us. This is usually done by asking a specific question that is answerable by YES or NO, or GOOD, NEUTRAL, or BAD.

As mentioned there are different kinds of MO but what I’m about to share with you right now is the easiest from of MO.

What I did is I got my mala, and called on the Buddha or Bodhisattva that I wanted to consult. In this case, I called on Kuan Yin. I first recited Kuan Yin’s name three times and told Her that I need to consult her about my health. I then stated my question, which in this case is – AM I HAVING AN HEART ATTACK?

After stating my question, I then recited one full mala of the mantra of Kuan Yin, which is OM MANI PADME HUM.

After reciting the mantra, I then re-stated my question and then said that for YES, I’ll have one bead left, then for NO, I’ll have two beads left. I then dropped the mala and used both of my hands to pick it up. You should randomly picked it up, using both hands, then from both ends, slowly move your fingers one bead at a time from each hand until there’s only one or two beads left.

In my case, when I did this, there were two beads left so the answer in NO, which means I’m not having a heart attack.

My second question is whether it is something really serious. I repeated the process but this time I opted for an answer that will say GOOD, NEUTRAL, or BAD. Again, the process is basically the same, only this time I’ll only stop when there’s only three, or two, or a single bead left. A single bead stands for GOOD, two beads means NEUTRAL, and three beads means it’s really BAD. This time I got an answer that it is neutral. So it was not clear with me whether I have to go to the hospital or not. I decided to ask a third question.

The third question is whether I need to rush to the hospital. I did the whole process again, and this time I opted for the YES or NO response. The answer is NO, which means I don’t need to rush to the hospital.

Just to be sure I decided to the MO again for the second time, this time I called on GODDESS TARA. I repeated the same three questions, and the answers are all the same.

Doing the MO saved me from scaring my siblings and rushing to the hospital for nothing. I use the MO a lot especially in making business decisions. The MO is nice because everybody can do that and you don’t need special skill, talent, or sixth sense to be able to do the MO. However, you need to believe and not do the MO just for fun.

Dealing with Depression with Feng Shui, Buddhism, and Taoism

A few days ago,  we talked about RECOGNIZING THE  SIGNS OF DEPRESSION and briefly talked about how one should deal with it. On an earlier post called SUICIDE IS NOT A SOLUTION, I also briefly discussed on how one can deal with suicidal tendencies and depression using Feng Shui, Buddhism, and Taoism.

Today, allow me to elaborate it a little on how can one use Feng Shui, Buddhism, and Taoism in dealing with depression. However, it should be noted that this is not an alternative or replacement, this is only a ‘supplement’ but if one is depressed one should always reach out to others and get professional help. That’s the most important thing one can do.

Having said that, allow me to briefly share that Feng Shui, Buddhism, and Taoism ways to dealing with depression.

FOR FENG SHUI.

Make sure that your room or house is well lit and please put about a tablespoon of rock salt or sea salt in all corners of the house or room. Make sure that when sleeping your head is not facing towards the window. Listen to positive, happy music.

FOR BUDDHISM.

Chant a full mala (108 times) of the mantra of the BUDDHA OR BODHISATTVA OF COMPASSION, KUAN YIN, as many times as you can with a minimum of three times a day. You can also do this for a person who is depressed. Buying a CD that chants the mantra repetitively also helps. To know more about it, read my previous posts about Kuan Yin – KUAN YIN: THE ONE WHO HEARS THE CRIES OF THE WORLD; UNDERSTANDING MERCY AND COMPASSION: THE TRANSFORMATION OF AVALOKITESVARA TO KUAN YIN; and PAYING HOMAGE TO KUAN YIN, THE BUDDHA OF COMPASSION.

Another mantra that you can recite is that mantra of the MEDICINE BUDDHA –TADYATHA OM BHEKANDZYE BHEKANDZYE MAHA BHEKANDZYE BHEKANDZYE RADZA SAMUGATE SOHA. Again you can recite this for yourself or for a loved one. Constantly playing the mantra will also help.

Wear a pendant with the image of KUAN YIN, MEDICINE BUDDHA, or SUN WUKONG.

Light some incense.

FOR TAOISM.

Take a bath in a tub with a cup of rock salt or sea salt. While in a tub you can also light some red or white candles and try to put flowers in your surrounding.

Offer some fruits and flowers to THE GREAT SAGE, EQUAL OF HEAVEN SUN WUKONG, as mentioned in my previous post, SUN WUKONG exist both in Chinese Buddhism and Taoism. SUN WUKONG, is a happy god and if you’re familiar with his life story, he always uplifts those who are with him. Wearing an image of SUN WUKONG also helps a lot!

Light some incense.

But remember these are just ‘supplements’ only. The best way to deal with depression is to reach out and get professional help.

Paying Homage to Kuan Yin, the Buddha of Compassion!

I intentionally wrote 3 different posts about Kuan Yin (also spelled as Guan Yin, Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Gwan Yin), because there is simply a lot to write about Kuan Yin. The first post is KUAN YIN: THE ONE WHO HEARS THE CRIES OF THE WORLD. The second post is UNDERSTANDING MERCY AND COMPASSION: THE TRANSFORMATION OF AVALOKITESVARA TO KUAN YIN.

Kuan Yin is also called ‘The Goddess of Mercy’, ‘Buddha of Compassion’, ‘Bodhisattva of Compassion’, ‘Guan Shi Yin’, ‘Kannon’ in Japan, ‘Avalokitesvara’ also spelled as Avalokiteshvara, ‘Chenrezig’, ‘Guanzizai’ are just some of the way she’s addressed.

However, allow me to share a few ways of paying homage to Kuan Yin. One way of paying homage to Kuan Yin is by inviting her into our house. It’s important that her image is placed on a ‘good’ spot. If possible, place her near the entrance, but do not put her in the kitchen, dining room, restroom and bedroom of married couples. Inviting her image to our home or office creates a lot of merit, and by simply having her image around us makes us closer to Kuan Yin.

You can also offer incense, clean water, flowers, fruits; lighted candles is also a very auspicious way of paying homage to the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

Wearing her image as pendant either in gold or a semi-precious stone like jade  is also a way of paying homage to Kuan Yin. It also gives us a visual representation of our ‘relationship’ to Kuan Yin that it helps us to become closer to the Bodhisattva.

My own Kuan Yin pendant has her sutra and other prayers written on the back. Any image of Kuan Yin will do, however, if you can get something that’s similar to my pendant the better. The bigger one has the shortest sutra in the world, the Heart Sutra that is largely associated with Kuan Yin. The smaller pendant has the White Robed Kuan Yin prayer. In Buddhism wearing or carrying sutras and prayers brings the same effect as if you saying it yourself. It has an effect of you continuously saying the sutra or prayer. You can also get a miniature Heart Sutra and carry it with your body, aside from being an homage to the Kuan Yin this serves as an instrument of your continues blessing from Kuan Yin.

Still another way of paying homage to Kuan Yin is by ‘sharing’ her with other people. Talking to people about Kuan Yin is one way of homage to Kuan Yin. You can do this orally or you can do this in written format. In the age of internet, this had become easier, because simply writing about her on your blog, or Facebook or Twitter account a lot of people get to know more about her. You can also buy several copies of the Heart Sutra or several of her images and share it to your friends and/or even strangers; it’s another way of paying homage to her.

There are many ways of paying homage to Kuan Yin, and you can come up with your own unique way of paying homage to her. However, I believe one best way of paying homage to Kuan Yin other than inviting her to our home or office and wearing her image as pendant is by chanting her mantra.

Reciting or chanting the mantra of Kuan Yin or Avalokitesvara is not only an act of homage, but it gives us a lot of merit from Kuan Yin. If you’re facing a big problem, recite her mantra and she will immediately come to your aid.

The Mantra of the Buddha of Compassion, Kuan Yin is OM MANI PADME HUM.

If you want to know more about Kuan Yin do read my first two posts about her. The first one is KUAN YIN: THE ONE WHO HEARS THE CRIES OF THE WORLD and the second one is UNDERSTANDING MERCY AND COMPASSION: THE TRANSFORMATION OF AVALOKITESVARA TO KUAN YIN.

Symbolic Script of the Mantra of the Buddha of Compassion

Understanding Mercy and Compassion: The Transformation of Avalokitesvara to Kuan Yin.

In my previous post I wrote about the Goddess of Mercy Kuan Yin (also spelled as Kwan Yin, Quan Yin, Gwan Yin, Guan Yin), who is also known as the Buddha of Compassion. Now, allow me to share with you a brief ‘history’ of Kuan Yin.

People who have read my earlier posts knows of my devotion to the ‘Great Sage, Equal of Heaven’ the Monkey God or Monkey King called Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong is a Taoist celestial being who became really wild whom the Buddha pacified. However, it was really Kuan Yin who paved the way for Sun Wukong to be a Buddha. She did this out of her extreme compassion for Sun Wukong who at that time was already condemned for an eternal imprisonment. Kuan Yin did this not just for Sun Wukong but also for other immortals. Westerners largely look at this story as some sort of fantasy, but to Taoist and Chinese Buddhist they have high regard for the said story and believe it actually happened in the celestial world. However, the point here is not whether the story is true or not, but it hopes to illustrate the depth of Kuan Yin’s mercy and compassion that she was able to subdue one of the most powerful Taoist Immortal/Deity. It should be noted that it was implied in the story mentioned above that should Kuan Yin had to ‘fight’ with Sun Wukong, her power would not have match that of Sun Wukong. However, her real power is not with her strength as a Bodhisattva, although, I must clarify, she is very powerful, but more than her physical and celestial strength, is the power of her mercy and compassion that is said to be infinite!

However, Kuan Yin or Kuan Shi Yin (Guan Shi Yin) which means ‘The One Who Hears the Cries of the World” has a very unique transformation. Kuan Yin is Avalokitesvara in India and Cherezig in Tibet. Nevertheless, Kuan Yin is the female transformation of the said Bodhisattva. I need not talk about who Avalokitesvara in detail now because Kuan Yin is Avalokitesvara (also spelled as Avalokiteshvara), Avalokitesvara is Chenrezig, Chenrezig is Kuan Yin, they may have different names, and in the case of Kuan Yin she may have a different image but they’re one and the same. All the attributes of Kuan Yin are that of Avalokitesvara and Chenrezig, all the attributes of Avalokitesvara and Chenrezig is that of Kuan Yin!

Image of Avalokitesvara (also spelled as Avalokiteshvara).

Nevertheless, allow me to state that Kuan Yin in the form of Avalokitesvara first started in India, the land where Buddhism really started. He/She is a Bodhisattva, which is traditionally considered a little less important compared to the Buddhas. However, Avalokitesvara gained reverence equal to that of Buddhas and to some extent, specially amongst Chinese Buddhist, exceeds that of the Buddhas because as the Historical Buddha Sakyamuni himself shared through various sutras, Avalokitesvara should have been a Buddha already, however, he refused Buddhahood and wished to remain a Bodhisattva for the welfare of all sentient beings.

The transformation of Avalokitesvara to Kuan Yin is in itself a very interesting story. There are various stories about how Avalokitesvara became Kuan Yin.

One story is that in relation to Tripitaka Monk Xuan Zang who traveled to India to get some Buddhist texts that he can share with his countrymen. When he wrote about his journey he always refers to the Bodhisattva of Compassion as a female Kuan Yin, some people believes that this is one of the first time that Avalokitesvara is addressed as Kuan Shi Yin, which later was shortened into Kuan Yin. In his account of the manifestations of Kuan Yin she always appear as a miraculous being and always under miraculous circumstances.

Another story is that of Princess Miao Shan. I’ll skip the story at the moment, and I’ll share her story as written in Wikipedia at the bottom of this post.

Still, another story about Avalokitesvara’s transformation to Kuan Yin is quite simple and not as popular because it lacks the theatrical and flair of the other stories.

When Buddhism was first introduced to China, the religion is largely Taoism, which has Immortals or Deities that are very powerful and ‘masculine’. The compassionate deities and immortals are mostly female deities. Because of this the Chinese had difficulty in fully comprehending the attributes of Avalokitesvara.

Buddhist monks prayed to Kuan Yin to ask for her guidance. Some text says that Kuan Yin spoke to some Buddhist monks through their dreams and instructed them to introduce him as Kuan Yin with a female form. Other text states that they were able to divine this through an Avalokitesvara/Kuan Yin oracle. Whether it was through a dream or through an oracle, it was clear that the Buddhist monks who brought Buddhism to China started the female manifestation of Avalokitesvara. As we know this image became popularly known as Kuan Yin.

This raises the question as to why when experiencing Avalokitesvara’s miracle or vision, people see her as Kuan Yin. According to the explanation of a Chinese Buddhist monk, this is because Avalokitesvara will always appear in the form that people will understand or easily relate to.

I personally believe that the last story is the real reason why Avalokitesvara became Kuan Yin. It is because they need to put an image of mercy and compassion, and because of this Avalokitesvara transformed into Kuan Yin.

Avalokitesvara as Kuan Yin became so popular that even Tibetan Buddhist who is extremely familiar with Avalokitesvara, as a male Bodhisattva would still mention Kuan Yin. In fact, the biggest image of Avalokitesvara in the world is that of Kuan Yin which is found China.

The biggest image of Kuan Yin in the world is in China.

This also answers why some images of Kuan Yin depicts her as a flat-chested handsome young prince.

One of the semi-masculine form of Kuan Yin.

You can read my other posts about Kuan Yin entitled KUAN YIN: THE ONE WHO HEARS THE CRIES OF THE WORLD and PAYING HOMAGE TO KUAN YIN, THE BUDDHA OF COMPASSION.

If you’re interested to know about the Legend of Princess Miao Shan please read on the following that was lifted from Wikipedia.

Another story from the Precious Scroll of Fragrant Mountain describes an incarnation of Guanyin as the daughter of a cruel king who wanted her to marry a wealthy but uncaring man. The story is usually ascribed to the research of the Buddhist monk Chiang Chih-ch’i during the 11th century CE. The story is likely to have a Taoist origin. Chiang Chih-ch’i, when he penned the work, believed that the Guanyin we know today was actually a Buddhist princess called Miaoshan (妙善), who had a religious following on Fragrant Mountain. Despite this there are many variants of the story in Chinese mythology.

According to the story, after the king asked his daughter Miao Shan to marry the wealthy man, she told him that she would obey his command, so long as the marriage eased three misfortunes.

The king asked his daughter what were the three misfortunes that the marriage should ease. Miaoshan explained that the first misfortune the marriage should ease was the suffering people endure as they age. The second misfortune it should ease was the suffering people endure when they fall ill. The third misfortune it should ease was the suffering caused by death. If the marriage could not ease any of the above, then she would rather retire to a life of religion forever.

When her father asked who could ease all the above, Miao Shan pointed out that a doctor was able to do all of these.

Her father grew angry as he wanted her to marry a person of power and wealth, not a healer. He forced her into hard labor and reduced her food and drink but this did not cause her to yield.

Every day she begged to be able to enter a temple and become a nun instead of marrying. Her father eventually allowed her to work in the temple, but asked the monks to give her the toughest chores in order to discourage her. The monks forced Miao Shan to work all day and all night, while others slept, in order to finish her work. However, she was such a good person that the animals living around the temple began to help her with her chores. Her father, seeing this, became so frustrated that he attempted to burn down the temple. Miao Shan put out the fire with her bare hands and suffered no burns. Now struck with fear, her father ordered her to be put to death.

In one version of this legend, when Guanyin was executed, a supernatural tiger took her to one of the more hell-like realms of the dead. However, instead of being punished by demons like the other inmates, Guanyin played music, and flowers blossomed around her. This completely surprised the head demon. The story says that Guanyin, by merely being in that hell, turned it into a paradise.

A variant of the legend says that Miao Shan allowed herself to die at the hand of the executioner. According to this legend, as the executioner tried to carry out her father’s orders, his axe shattered into a thousand pieces. He then tried a sword which likewise shattered. He tried to shoot Miao Shan down with arrows but they all veered off.

Finally in desperation he used his hands. Miao Shan, realising the fate that the executioner would meet at her father’s hand should she fail to let herself die, forgave the executioner for attempting to kill her. It is said that she voluntarily took on the massive karmic guilt the executioner generated for killing her, thus leaving him guiltless. It is because of this that she descended into the Hell-like realms. While there, she witnessed first-hand the suffering and horrors that the beings there must endure, and was overwhelmed with grief. Filled with compassion, she released all the good karma she had accumulated through her many lifetimes, thus freeing many suffering souls back into Heaven and Earth. In the process, that Hell-like realm became a paradise. It is said that Yanluo, King of Hell, sent her back to Earth to prevent the utter destruction of his realm, and that upon her return she appeared on Fragrant Mountain.

Another tale says that Miao Shan never died, but was in fact transported by a supernatural tiger, believed to be the Deity of the Place, to Fragrant Mountain.

The Legend of Miao Shan usually ends with Miao Chuang Yen, Miao Shan’s father, falling ill with jaundice. No physician was able to cure him. Then a monk appeared saying that the jaundice could be cured by making a medicine out of the arm and eye of one without anger. The monk further suggested that such a person could be found on Fragrant Mountain. When asked, Miao Shan willingly offered up her eyes and arms. Miao Chuang Yen was cured of his illness and went to the Fragrant Mountain to give thanks to the person. When he discovered that his own daughter had made the sacrifice, he begged for forgiveness. The story concludes with Miaoshan being transformed into the Thousand Armed Guanyin, and the king, queen and her two sisters building a temple on the mountain for her. She began her journey to heaven and was about to cross over into heaven when she heard a cry of suffering from the world below. She turned around and saw the massive suffering endured by the people of the world. Filled with compassion, she returned to Earth, vowing never to leave till such time as all suffering has ended.

After her return to Earth, Guanyin was said to have stayed for a few years on the island of Mount Putuo where she practised meditation and helped the sailors and fishermen who got stranded. Guanyin is frequently worshipped as patron of sailors and fishermen due to this. She is said to frequently becalm the sea when boats are threatened with rocks. After some decades Guanyin returned to Fragrant Mountain to continue her meditation.