Mewa 1 Birth Buddha: Chenrezig
Introduction
Chenrezig (Tib: spyan ras gzigs; སྤྱན་རས་གཟིགས།) or Avalokiteshvara (Skt), is the Buddha of Compassion.
Possibly the most famous and well-loved deity across all schools of Buddhism, Chenrezig manifested in various forms to benefit sentient beings. For example, within the Mahayana school of Buddhism, he is widely known as the Goddess Kuan Yin.
Benefits
- Calms the mind
- Relieves anxiety
- Cultivates compassion, wisdom and confidence
- Prevents one from entering the lower realms
- Fulfills one’s wish for happiness
- Bestows celestial protection
- Any sentient being that comes into close contact will be blessed
History
The Mani Khabum text clearly describes Chenrezig’s primordial origins through a terma discovered during the time of the great Dharma King Songtsen Gampo and deciphered by the great translator Thonmi Sambhota.
It is said that the time came when the karma of sentient beings was in need of a deity in the form of a young man. Buddha Amitabha, who reigns in Dewachen, understood this need and thus from his right eye, a beam of white light was emitted and took on the form of Chenrezig. Having been born from the eye of Amitabha, Chenrezig miraculously appeared on a lotus.
At that time, a celestial King named Zangpochok ruled in Dewachen. He had a thousand queens but none produced an heir, which he longed for. To fulfill his wish to have a son, King Zangpochok offered much of his wealth to the Dharma and made an abundance of offerings to the Three Jewels.
One day while his servant picked beautiful fresh flowers from the lotus lake, he saw a child seated on the heart of a lotus. He immediately reported this to the king. Delighted to hear the news, the king felt that his prayers had been fulfilled and with great anticipation, went to the lotus lake with his entourage to invite the child back to his palace. He was then given the name Padmai Nyingpo, or Heart of Lotus.
Padmai Nyingpo, whose real identity and purpose was revealed by Amitabha Buddha, was now known as Chenrezig and prophesied to be one who would benefit all sentient beings. While in the presence of Amitabha, Chenrezig thought strongly, “As long as there is even one being who has not achieved Enlightenment, I will strive for the benefit of all, and should I break this promise, may my head and body split into a thousand pieces!” Chenrezig then emitted six beams of light, and produced six emanations to benefit beings in each of the six realms of samsara.
After working to help sentient beings for a long time, Chenrezig realized that there were still innumerable beings in suffering. Feeling sad and discouraged, he thought that perhaps he should rest in nirvana instead as he was incapable of helping beings. This thought contradicted his promise and resulted in him bursting into a thousand pieces and experiencing tremendous suffering.
Out of great compassion, Amitabha reconstructed Chenrezig, this time giving him eleven faces and a thousand arms and eyes. Amitabha then asked Chenrezig to retake his promise with more vigor and transmitted the six-syllable mantra for all sentient beings to benefit from Chenrezig’s compassion.
Iconography
The most common depiction of Chenrezig within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition is 4-armed Chenrezig. His serene expression and white-colored skin radiates loving kindness and compassion.
His four arms represent the Buddha’s teachings on the Four Immeasurables, where one wishes for the happiness of others. Two of his hands are pressed together at his heart in the ‘Palms Folded Gesture’, a expression of his great Guru Devotion and reverence for Buddha Amitabha. His hands hold a wish-granting gem, a jewel symbolizing his ability to grant practitioners their wishes as well as spiritual realizations.
In his upper right hand, Chenrezig holds a crystal mala (rosary) which he unceasingly counts, thus showing that even he continues to pursue Dharma practice. It also represents the purity of Chenrezig’s speech which was achieved through mantra recitation, devotion, and the compassionate action of continuously helping sentient beings.
In his upper left hand, he holds a beautiful utpala (blue lotus) flower in full bloom. The flower represents Chenrezig’s purity and his continuous manifestation within samsara to help all sentient beings. It is also a reminder for practitioners to never waver in practicing compassion even in the face of difficulties and challenges.
Chenrezig sits in the full-lotus meditative posture and wears the garments of an Indian prince. The skin of an antelope is draped across his shoulders symbolizing his renunciation of worldly delights.
Prayer
Note: This short prayer can be recited daily on its own or as part of a longer set of prayers.
White in colour, untarnished by faults,
Amitabha Buddha embellishing the crown of your head,
You look upon living beings with overwhelming compassion,
To Chenrezig I humbly bow down.
JO WO KYON GYI MA GO KU DOG KAR
DZOG SANG GYE KYI U LA GYEN
THUK JEY CHEN GYI DRO LA ZIG
CHEN RE ZIG LA CHAG TSEL LO
Mantra: OM MANI PADME HUNG
(Recite 108 times or more)
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Thank you, with Love and Blessings
Pat xx
Very Good
. Want your blessing
Santosh