Introduction:

     The teaching will be translated into English and Vietnamese, Chinese translation will be available through audio headphones.

     The Thousand Armed Avalokiteshvara is one of many manifestations of the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion. According to legend, the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, with great compassion, made a vow to liberate all beings in all the realms of suffering, and would not rest until this task is done. After working for countless eons, the Bodhisattva realized that there were still innumerable beings yet to be saved. The body of the Bodhisattva, however, was extremely affected by the effort. Having received the light from the Amitabha Buddha, Avalokiteshvara was manifested with eleven heads, a thousand arms and a thousand eyes. In this form, the Bodhisattva of loving- kindness has been able to see in all directions to continue the work to save all beings.

     The image of Avalokiteshvara, depicted with a thousand arms and eleven heads has the following meanings:
The head on top portrays the Buddha Amitabha, symbolizing the Dharmakaya nature of Avalokiteshvara. The second head from the top represents Mahakala, the wrathful aspect of Avalokiteshvara, who helps practitioners in fighting against negative forces and overcoming obstacles on their path. The nine remaining heads set in three rows represent the directions: one being the center and the remaining eight others represent the cardinal directions. The thousand arms with one eye in each of the palms exhibit Avalokiteshvara’s pervasiveness.

     In this thousand armed Sambhogakaya form, the Bodhisattva as a shining wish-fulfilling gem represents the supreme Bodhicitta and the awakened mind, the enlightened thought wishing to benefit all sentient beings. His Holiness the Dalai Lama says, "There is no absolute in Buddhism, but if there were, it would be compassion."

     It is a great blessing to have His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in the Avalokiteshvara's Nirmanakaya form, to bestow the empowerment for our developing and practicing this precious Bodhicitta, the essential mind of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas

*His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Vast as the Heavens, Deep as the Sea.