Radiating six lights from my body to the six realms of beings.
Compassion
Benefitting sentient beings until samsara ends.
I wept so pitifully that my head burst. Amitabha attempted to assemble the pieces
but did not entirely succeed. In the ensuing confusion he put together
nine complete faces, each with a gentle expression. Above this he
placed the demonic head of Vajrapani that functions to ward off evil, and
finally at the very top he placed his own head to ensure that in the future such
a happening did not recur.
Known as a yidam or deity practice, Avalokiteshvara is a ritualized meditative
technique designed to help the practitioner directly access the spiritual qualities
symbolized by the deity. The methods of supportive imagery or visualization,
mantra and wishing prayers are the means used to cultivate
boundless compassion.
The Avalokitesvara Mantra is 'Om Mani Padme Hum'. It contains 6 syllabus.
Each syllable represents each of the 6 realms in the world of Samsara
(Deva, Semi deva, Humans, Animals, Hungry Ghosts or Petas and Hell).
When a being from any of the 6 realms hears this mantra, it will
immediately cast away all angry thoughts and be enlightened.
Amitabha
Shakyamuni