The Universal Door Of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva
“The Universal Door of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva” is a doctrine appeared at chapter twenty-five in “Lotus Sutra”. Due to kindness and compassion, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, or Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva in Asian culture, speaks of this doctrine for relieving beings from suffering. Guan Shi Yin stands for the Perceiver of the World's Sound, and this doctrine begins with Inexhaustible Intent Bodhisattva questioning Shakyamuni Buddha about the meaning behind the Bodhisattva’s name.
Buddha replies that Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva perceives anyone whom calls upon his name single-mindedly and releases them from dangers and disasters, such as fire, flood, demon’s attack, swords, staves, yaksha’s attack, imprisonment, and bandits’ attack. This Bodhisattva also frees sentient beings from three poisons, which are greed, anger, and foolishness. If a sentient being has much greed and reverently recites the name of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva, he can be separated from greed gradually. Same logic applies to hatred and stupidity. Wishes of having children are also responded if sentient beings are reciting with concentration.
In order to assist sentient beings in ten directions, Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva can transform into thirty-three different forms at will, such as god, Brahman, dragon, elder, child, dragon, nonhuman being, or form that is appropriate for preaching Dharma for that being. This Bodhisattva also has no fear when he confronts the troubles that the sentient being is facing.
Through this short but explicit doctrine, Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva introduces a universal Dharma for everyone, which is recitation of his name. Similar to Buddha’s name chanting, this method is simple and accessible to even the illiterate. However, to establish a solid resonance with Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva, development of concentration and faith are a lifetime lesson.
Name recitation is a repetitive exercise that can calm a busy mind back to its peaceful state. When one can concentrate, his consciousness and awareness will also increase. Gradually, the true wisdom buried under the three poisons and worries will be surfaced at this calm state. However, one must not expect to gain anything during recitation because in this case, the mind is not completely free of attachment.
In Asia, “The Universal Door of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva” is commonly circulated as an independent doctrine because the worship of Guan Shi Yin Bodhisattva is highly popular.