The Renunciation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Assembly reminds us to cultivate and practise the teachings of Avalokitesvara, especially the virtue of great compassion.
According to the Universal Gate Chapter on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, living beings who encounter extreme suffering only have to hear Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's name and invoke her name single-mindedly in order to be liberated.
Other salient characteristics of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's compassion are the precious vase and the willow branch in her hands. These signify the Bodhisattva's untiring efforts in the perfection of the six paramitas. Just as one dewdrop from the willow branch is scattered over the myriad worlds, the Bodhisattva constantly purifies the human world and enables all living beings to attain purity by eliminating their defilements.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva also possess great wisdom which allows her to look deeply into the Five Aggregates and realise their empty nature. This enables her to alleviate the suffering of sentient beings. Furthermore, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva possess perfect hearing and can thus respond to the pleas for help. Although the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva resides in Amitabha Buddha's Western Pureland, she also appears ceaselessly in samsara to alleviate the suffering of those in the six realms. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva also relies upon the 32 transformations to liberate living beings. She assumes different identities, gender and appearances in the world, so as to provide assistance to those in need.
In summary, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's most admirable qualities are great compassion and wisdom as well as the vow of giving fearlessness. We should practice Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's compassionate vow of liberating living beings from their suffering. If we can extend our loving-kindness and protection to all living beings, then cultivation of our mind will be in line with Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's.
Guanyin Renunciation