Shinto — the Way of the Gods — defines Amae as the childlike dependence on a merciful compassionate mother which is reflected in Shinto and Kwannon.
Yet amae is the sweetness of a mother's love shown towards her child in which she only asks him to care for her in her old age, even when it sounds like scolding to a Westerner.
If you are Japanese but born anywhere else in the world and it sounds like scolding, then perhaps you need to find the Japanese in you.
Were you truly Japanese at all, you would forgive your mother even when she sounds like she is rude to you.
Original post: February 17, 2014 2:28 AM
Showing posts with label Kwannon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kwannon. Show all posts
20140113
20130301
Four Popular Bodhisattvas of Compassion
In Buddhism, the devoted practitioner develops the Bodhi Mind on hearing the Dharma.
The Bodhi Mind consist of the determination to achieve Buddhahood and the aspiration to rescue all sentient beings.
Arising from the aspiration to rescue all sentient beings is the concept of the bodhisattva.
According to certain schools of Buddhism, the four most popular bodhisattvas are Avalokiteshvara, the Taras, Manjusri, and Ksitigarbha.
Avalokiteshvara is the most popular bodhisattva, being the symbol of compassion. In his female form, popular in China, she is called Kuan-yin; and in Japan, as Kwannon or Kannon. She is known as the spiritual mother of all sentient beings.
In Tibetan Buddha, Avalokiteshvara is the essence of the speech of all the buddhas and the incarnation of their compassion.
The Taras are most popular in Tibet. They range from two (the white Tara, which is represented by the white lotus symbolizing day, and the green Tara, which is represented by the blue lotus symbolizing night) to as many as 21 Taras.
In all of her many forms, Tara represents compassion and enlightened activity.
One form of White Tara in Tibetan Buddha is White Tara Wishfulfilling Wheel. She is associated with longevity and one of the three deities of long life.
Green Tara is the popular form of Tara in Tibetan Buddhism. She represents protection of the disciple by the Buddhas.
Overall, Tara presents prosperity.
Today, Tara practice has been introduced to the New Age religions in the West.
It is said that in ancient Tibet that every virtuous and pious woman is the incarnation of Tara.
Manjusri is another popular bodhisattva in Buddhism. He represents wisdom, intelligence and willpower. In Buddhism, Manjusri is the spiritual father and mother of bodhisattvas.
Known as the King of all tantras in Tibetan Buddhism, Chanting the Names of Manjushri is a famous praise of the bodhisattva.
Adoration of Manjusri empowers his devotee with divine wisdom, mastery of the Dharma, an infallible memory, mental perfection, and eloquence.
Ksitigarbha is known as the bodhisattva of hell. He consoles the beings in hell.
Motivated by compassion, he delayed becoming a buddha so that he could help the beings destined through their karma to rebirth in hell.
References:
Bodhisattvas of Compassion: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/b_fbodi.htm
Avalokiteshvara: http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Avalokiteshvara
White Tara Wishfulfilling Wheel: http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=White_Tara_Wishfulfilling_Wheel
Tara: http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Tara
Chanting the Names of Manjusri: http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Chanting_the_Names_of_Manjushri
The Bodhi Mind consist of the determination to achieve Buddhahood and the aspiration to rescue all sentient beings.
Arising from the aspiration to rescue all sentient beings is the concept of the bodhisattva.
According to certain schools of Buddhism, the four most popular bodhisattvas are Avalokiteshvara, the Taras, Manjusri, and Ksitigarbha.
Avalokiteshvara is the most popular bodhisattva, being the symbol of compassion. In his female form, popular in China, she is called Kuan-yin; and in Japan, as Kwannon or Kannon. She is known as the spiritual mother of all sentient beings.
In Tibetan Buddha, Avalokiteshvara is the essence of the speech of all the buddhas and the incarnation of their compassion.
The Taras are most popular in Tibet. They range from two (the white Tara, which is represented by the white lotus symbolizing day, and the green Tara, which is represented by the blue lotus symbolizing night) to as many as 21 Taras.
In all of her many forms, Tara represents compassion and enlightened activity.
One form of White Tara in Tibetan Buddha is White Tara Wishfulfilling Wheel. She is associated with longevity and one of the three deities of long life.
Green Tara is the popular form of Tara in Tibetan Buddhism. She represents protection of the disciple by the Buddhas.
Overall, Tara presents prosperity.
Today, Tara practice has been introduced to the New Age religions in the West.
It is said that in ancient Tibet that every virtuous and pious woman is the incarnation of Tara.
Manjusri is another popular bodhisattva in Buddhism. He represents wisdom, intelligence and willpower. In Buddhism, Manjusri is the spiritual father and mother of bodhisattvas.
Known as the King of all tantras in Tibetan Buddhism, Chanting the Names of Manjushri is a famous praise of the bodhisattva.
Adoration of Manjusri empowers his devotee with divine wisdom, mastery of the Dharma, an infallible memory, mental perfection, and eloquence.
Ksitigarbha is known as the bodhisattva of hell. He consoles the beings in hell.
Motivated by compassion, he delayed becoming a buddha so that he could help the beings destined through their karma to rebirth in hell.
References:
Bodhisattvas of Compassion: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/b_fbodi.htm
Avalokiteshvara: http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Avalokiteshvara
White Tara Wishfulfilling Wheel: http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=White_Tara_Wishfulfilling_Wheel
Tara: http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Tara
Chanting the Names of Manjusri: http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Chanting_the_Names_of_Manjushri
20071109
Buddhist Nature Prayer (after Yengishiki) - Poem
I declare in the great presence of Amida Nyorai:
Because Kwannon bestows on humanity the countries of the four quarters over which her glance extends,
As far as the limit where Heaven stands up like a wall,
As far as the bounds where the country stands up distant,
As far as the limit where the blue clouds spread flat,
As far as the bounds where the white clouds lie away fallen-
The blue sea plain upon which travel
The ships which continuously crowd on the great sea plain,
And the roads which men travel by land, and standing up continuously in a long path without a break-
Making the narrow countries wide and the hilly countries plain,
And as it were drawing together the distant countries by throwing many tens of ropes over them
We will pile up the first-fruits like a range of hills in the great presence of Kwannon, and will peacefully enjoy the remainder.
Because Kwannon bestows on humanity the countries of the four quarters over which her glance extends,
As far as the limit where Heaven stands up like a wall,
As far as the bounds where the country stands up distant,
As far as the limit where the blue clouds spread flat,
As far as the bounds where the white clouds lie away fallen-
The blue sea plain upon which travel
The ships which continuously crowd on the great sea plain,
And the roads which men travel by land, and standing up continuously in a long path without a break-
Making the narrow countries wide and the hilly countries plain,
And as it were drawing together the distant countries by throwing many tens of ropes over them
We will pile up the first-fruits like a range of hills in the great presence of Kwannon, and will peacefully enjoy the remainder.
20040520
Buddha Nature as Pure Mind Meditation
Buddha Nature as Pure Mind is the foremost refuge - there is no other.
For Pure Mind results from spiritual (right) action which help purify the human mind, just as motherly compassion washes away childish ignorance with the milk of lovingkindness.
Indeed, the purified mind sees one's original nature as Buddha Nature, and the self grounded in basic goodness.
This compassion is symbolized by Kuan Yin, the feminine aspect of Avalokitesvara.
The way to purify the mind is simple: meditation, chanting of Buddhist sutras, reading books written by Buddhist monks and nuns, and reading the Dhammapada are helpful at home.
As well, other forms of purifying the mind include speaking well of people, helping other people, and being thankful for the help of people.
One famous example of compassion is the self-immolation of Thich Quang Duc in 1963. As a result, the Diem regime in South Vietnam was overthrown, and public opinion shifted from opposition to US military intervention in Vietnam.
For Pure Mind results from spiritual (right) action which help purify the human mind, just as motherly compassion washes away childish ignorance with the milk of lovingkindness.
Indeed, the purified mind sees one's original nature as Buddha Nature, and the self grounded in basic goodness.
This compassion is symbolized by Kuan Yin, the feminine aspect of Avalokitesvara.
The way to purify the mind is simple: meditation, chanting of Buddhist sutras, reading books written by Buddhist monks and nuns, and reading the Dhammapada are helpful at home.
As well, other forms of purifying the mind include speaking well of people, helping other people, and being thankful for the help of people.
One famous example of compassion is the self-immolation of Thich Quang Duc in 1963. As a result, the Diem regime in South Vietnam was overthrown, and public opinion shifted from opposition to US military intervention in Vietnam.
20031020
Taoism and Buddhism
Creation of the Gods: A Somewhat Less Than Critical Commentary: "Chapter 83. Subjugation of Lion, Elephant, and Jaguar
Candi revealed Fairy Black Cloud as a turtle. Heavenly Master of Outstanding Culture revealed Fairy Dragon Head as a Lion. Universal Virtue revealed Fairy Spiritual Teeth as an elephant. Merciful Navigation revealed Fairy Golden Light as a jaguar. Not long thereafter, Heavenly Master of Outstanding Culture became the Bodhisattva of Outstanding Culture, Universal Virtue became the Bodhisattva of Universal Virtue, and Merciful Navigation became Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Buddha revealed Mother Spiritual Tortoise as a tortoise. A swarm of mosquitos arrived and sucked her blood out. The Grand Master of Heaven surrounded himself with 28 Taoist Fairies who were destined to become Gods of the 28 constellations."
Candi revealed Fairy Black Cloud as a turtle. Heavenly Master of Outstanding Culture revealed Fairy Dragon Head as a Lion. Universal Virtue revealed Fairy Spiritual Teeth as an elephant. Merciful Navigation revealed Fairy Golden Light as a jaguar. Not long thereafter, Heavenly Master of Outstanding Culture became the Bodhisattva of Outstanding Culture, Universal Virtue became the Bodhisattva of Universal Virtue, and Merciful Navigation became Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Buddha revealed Mother Spiritual Tortoise as a tortoise. A swarm of mosquitos arrived and sucked her blood out. The Grand Master of Heaven surrounded himself with 28 Taoist Fairies who were destined to become Gods of the 28 constellations."
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