The true origin of Guanyin Bodhisattva and how to worship Guanyin Bodhisattva most effectively

Guanyin Bodhisattva is one of the four great Bodhisattvas in Chinese Buddhism. Guanyin Bodhisattva is compassionate and merciful. Nowadays, people usually worship Guanyin Bodhisattva when they go to temples. So what is the true origin of Guanyin Bodhisattva, and how can we worship Guanyin Bodhisattva in the most effective way?

The True Origin of Guanyin Bodhisattva

In Chinese history, the Chinese and feminine prototype of Guanyin Bodhisattva comes from Miaoshan, the third daughter of King Miaozhuang during the Southern and Northern Dynasties.

【Story of Guanyin Bodhisattva】

Miao Shan, female, lived around the 6th century AD, from Fucheng, Henan Province (now Lizhuang Township, Baofeng County). Her father was King Zhuang and her mother was Baode. Legend has it that the queen dreamed of flower pregnancy, and gave birth to a plump white baby girl on the 19th day of the second lunar month. The name Miaoshan was taken from the name, which means wonderful appearance and good deeds. According to local customs, unmarried girls are called "Gu". Because she was born in the royal family, she is called "Huang Gu". Because she is the third child, she is also called "San Huang Gu".

When the Third Princess was born, colorful auspicious clouds surrounded the sky above the royal palace. The Third Princess was smart and clever by nature. When she was young, she did not pursue fame and fortune, but was determined to do good deeds. She did not learn how to draw dragons and phoenixes, but practiced Zen secretly in the palace, and was fond of cultivating immortals and visiting the Tao. He led the palace ladies in chanting scriptures and performing repentance rituals all day long. King Zhuang had no crown prince, only Miao Shan and her three sisters. He wanted the third princess to find a prince consort and pass the throne to him. At the age of sixteen, the Third Princess decided to become a nun and practice Buddhism, in order to save herself and others. King Miaozhuang wanted to betroth her to the prime minister's son, but she did not want to get married and refused to obey. She escaped from the palace at night, dressed up as a village girl, and traveled to Baique Temple in Baifo Village, where she converted to Buddhism.

After the Third Princess became a nun, she practiced Taoism diligently and even attracted the gods to help her grow vegetables and fetch water. King Zhuang believed that the Third Princess was practicing witchcraft and confusing people, so he ordered her to be beheaded. When she was about to be executed, the Dragon God came to her aid and rescued the Third Princess. Upon hearing this, King Zhuang ordered the burning of Baique Temple, killing 500 monks and nuns. The Third Princess was overwhelmed with emotions and cried out in grief, which moved Taibai Jinxing so much that he transformed into a gorgeous tiger and carried her up the mountain. She climbed to the top of Cangyan Mountain, settled down there and devoted herself to practice, washing her hands, burning incense and worshiping Buddha every day, and seeking enlightenment with a devout mind. In a blink of an eye, nine years passed, and on the 19th day of the sixth lunar month, he achieved enlightenment. He visited thousands of altars every day and saw thousands of miles away. King Miaozhuang burned down Baique Temple, which made the queen mother sick. He himself became confused and had frequent nightmares. He developed a strange disease - human face sore. He went to the capital Chaoping City and sought help from famous doctors all over the world, but no one knew what disease he had and he did not recover for three years.

One day, a Taoist priest told King Zhuang that there was an immortal in Xiangshan Mountain, and that his illness could be cured by using his hands and eyes as medicine. King Zhuang sent an envoy to Xiangshan to ask the immortal to help him cure his illness. When King Zhuang led his family and palace maids to Xiangshan to thank the immortal, he discovered that the immortal was actually his own daughter, the Third Princess, who had been executed by him three years ago. The Third Princess did not bear grudge and personally used her hands and eyes to cure the "human face sore". King Zhuang was deeply moved, repented sincerely, and vowed to follow the Three Emperors to practice Taoism. At this time, the Third Princess showed a thousand-armed and thousand-eyed vision. It turned out that the Third Princess had attained enlightenment and became the Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Since Miaoshan, the Guanyin Bodhisattva originated from the ancient Indian Buddhist scriptures has been completely Sinicized and evolved into the female Guanyin, which has triggered the Chinese people's worship of Guanyin for thousands of years. The compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva who saves people from suffering is one of the six Guanyins in Buddhism.

How to worship Guanyin Bodhisattva most effectively

1. When praying to the Bodhisattva, you should praise the Bodhisattva’s name

Many people, when worshiping the Bodhisattva, only recite their own requests wholeheartedly. In fact, this is definitely not in accordance with the Dharma. When worshiping the Bodhisattva, we must first chant the holy name of Guanyin Bodhisattva, "Namo Great Compassionate Guanshiyin Bodhisattva". Whether burning incense, worshiping the Buddha, or circumambulating, we must recite the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva in our hearts. We can recite it aloud or silently in our hearts. In this way, we can resonate with Guanyin Bodhisattva, and the Bodhisattva will also know what you are asking for.

2. Recite the Six-Syllable Mantra

Speaking of the six-syllable mantra, many people may not know that the six words "Om Mani Padme Hum" have endless merits. Even if you don't go to the temple to worship Buddha and burn incense, you should also recite more in your life. When you recite, Buddha and all the Bodhisattvas will be by your side to protect you.

3. Have faith in Guanyin Bodhisattva

Whether you are chanting the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva or chanting the mantra of Guanyin Bodhisattva, if you want to receive blessings and protection and have what you ask for come true, the prerequisite is that you must have faith. The only way to enter the ocean of Buddhism is through faith. If you don’t have faith, then no matter how many times you recite, it will not work. It’s not that the Bodhisattva won’t bless you, but because you don’t have faith and cannot receive the Bodhisattva’s blessing.