Avalokiteshvara Padmapani at Ajanta (6th C)
It is strange. I've always wondered why the deepest of all emotions bring tears. Why is that I always begin to choke whenever I get moved by anything magically profound or innocently simple? An enchanting musical composition, a poignant moment in a novel, a captivating sequence in a movie, a dramatic catharsis in a play always moves me beyond words. Sometimes a simple human gesture evokes the same. And, during the meditative silence before any of the beloved Gods and the intimate Gurus. The deep-seated longing in every soul to be in constant communion with the eternal gets expressed in the tear. Or in the mirthful laughter. Both evoke the same resonance at the core of one's being.
Avalokiteshvara is one of the most pivotal Bodhisatvas in Mahayana form of Buddhism. He is the Maha Guru, the Enlightened Soul of Boundless Compassion. Also called as Padmapani in Sanskrit, Avalokiteshvara is the embodiment of infinite compassion, always hearing every cry of every being in the universe and appear anywhere to salvage them from all forms of distress. Chanting the Mantra of Ohm Mani Padme Hum, holding a lotus flower in the Hand, with the Moon of total purity behind, Avalokiteshvara liberates all beings from suffering in this world and enriches the love and compassion of all beings for life and living. Blessed are the ones who have searched and found out such Gurus to protect the cherished soul..
Avalokiteshvara at Nalanda (9th C)
An enchanting view of Avalokiteshvara in u'r blog is so beautiful to see..
ReplyDeleteThis is the very first time am hearing the mantra of Padmapani..
Its moving peacefully.. When we hear this mantra in deeply, its just choking the soul and gives great feel beyond the words as u said.. Lotus flower in the hand, with the moon of total purity..
Everything is nice..
Excellent posting!
The Mantra of Avalokiteshvara is simply ecstatic! Though i could not make out a single syllable out of it, it connects somewhere immensely with an ineffable care and kindness overflowing endlessly out of it.
ReplyDeleteThe write-up this time is more abstract and leaves one to oneself without drawing any contours on the firmament. May be, it is too difficult to comprehend as to why tears come out whenever one is deeply moved.
Like what happens to me while listening to this Mantra of Avalokiteshvara. Why should my eyes well up now? There cannot be any rhyme or reason which could be explained away in words. Yet we have to use them like oars to cross the eternal river. Of course, with the blessings of the all-Compassionate Bodhisatva.
As I see it, the self of each one of us is most compassionate, kind, virtuous,immersed in its own glory, of infinite dimensions, self-luminescent, unattached and only a witness of the world. It feels lost because of its association with the world of objects through the equipments [intellect, mind, ego, senses] projected by itself. Whenever anything which even faintly reminds the self of its own glory like emotions of love, happiness, gestures of kindness and likewise, it leads of expansion of the self from the limitation superimposed on it. If the expansion is too much in too short a time, there is overflow in form of tears.
ReplyDeleteThe BUDDHA says that for the self to experience its true nature, not much effort is required. If only one virtue like love for all beings is cultivated, in due time the flowering will automatically happen. Like one plants a mango seed and waters it appropriately. In due time it will turn into a magnificent tree with plenty of fruits, shade and what not.
I recently went to Bodhgaya and was extremely inspired by the BUDDHA. The meditative silence achievable under the Bodhi tree, even amidst scores of visitors, is something to be experienced. And if one is fortunate enough, even glimpse of BUDDHA awaits him there.
Om. Buddham Sharnam Gachchami.
Very peaceful music. First time for me too. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI feel any comment on the music and the article would spoil the effect of it.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the most enchanting myth of any religion especially 1000 armed Avlokiteshvara/Quanyin/Kannon of East Asian countries. Avlokiteshvara was given 1000 arms by Buddha, to reach out and erase all the sorrows/lamentations found on the Universe. Depicting this myth, Chinese dancers play beautifully enchanting dance, which is available in You tube.
ReplyDeleteDoes the 'Ishwara' of Avlokiteshwara have any link with Adi Shaivism or Ancien Indian tradition?.
Also, normal portrayal of Hindu gods, goddesses like Mahisasura mardhini, 32 handed Lord Murugan, Shiva, etc depict the fight over evil spirit. Not any one in this manner of eternal Compassion. Or does we have any?.
The very mention of Lord Avalokiteswara evokes deep feelings.Avalokiteswara is the bodhisattva of compassion.He postpones his own liberation till every sentient being on the earth,rather in the universe gets liberation.he has thousand arms to help. thousand eyes to see and a thousand ears to hear the cries of people.He is depicted as 11 headed with faces in all directions.Avalokiteswara comes to help. heal and light up the spiritual path. The Indian dieties are all depicted as having numerous forms .All of them are compassionate and have an abhya and var mudra -one hand giving blessings and boon and the other pointing downward indicating liberation.all the dieties are prayed tofor fulfilment of all the 4aims of life-dharma, artha, kama and moksha and the dieites in their compassion grant all of them.still, the bodhisattva has postponed his own liberation to live with us till weall get liberation.this is the ultimate expression of compassion and the beatific smile othe of Avalokiteswara chosen by Sathyu says the love and compassion in the heart of the all compassionate Bodhisattva.
ReplyDelete