In Tibetan Buddhism, one of the most widely revered figures is Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva (观音菩萨). Across the entire Tibetan region, people of all ages recite the Avalokiteshvara mantra, “Om Mani Padme Hum” (唵嘛呢叭咪吽). Additionally, there is an ancient legend among the Tibetan people that their ancestors were born from the union of a divine monkey and a rakshasi (demoness). When the divine monkey hesitated, it was Avalokiteshvara who gave clear guidance, indicating that allowing humanity to flourish in the snowy lands would bring great merit. Later, as the offspring of the divine monkey and rakshasi multiplied, Avalokiteshvara spread grain seeds and taught the early ancestors how to cultivate crops, allowing human life to flourish in the vast Tibetan plateau.
Potala Palace (布达拉宫) is the Tibetan transliteration. "Potala" is Mount Putuo （Mount Potalaka） - Mount Putuo is the dojo of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. This is also a manifestation of the extremely respected status of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva in the hearts of the Tibetan people.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is believed to be an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara, while the Panchen Lama is considered an incarnation of Amitabha Buddha.
Every morning, the monks at Drepung Monastery (哲蚌寺), the largest monastery of the Gelug school, begin their day with deep, resonant chants: "Mimidzewa Detsen Gyaltsen" (米米泽哇德庆坚热司), meaning "May Avalokiteshvara bless us with peace." This daily invocation highlights the Bodhisattva’s protective role in the life of Tibetan monastics and devotees.
In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Three Lords of the World (三怙主)—Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, and Vajrapani—represent compassion, wisdom, and power, respectively. This emphasizes Avalokiteshvara’s significant role in Tibetan Buddhism. Unlike Chinese Buddhism, Tibetan depictions of Avalokiteshvara often show him in male form, with many variations including Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara, Six-Armed Avalokiteshvara, Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara, and even the wrathful form of Hayagriva (Horse-Headed King).
The Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara is a key deity in the Vajrayana path, with his four arms representing essential spiritual principles. But what do these four arms signify?
The four arms carry two levels of meaning:
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The Four Activities of Enlightenment (四种佛行):
- Pacification (息): Calming the suffering, obstacles, and hardships of all sentient beings (beginning with oneself).
- Increase (增): Enhancing blessings, wisdom, longevity, fame, and prosperity.
- Attraction (怀): Gaining the ability to lead beings toward liberation after attaining personal freedom.
- Subjugation (诛): Eliminating negative thoughts and subduing inner and outer demons.
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The Four Immeasurable Qualities (四无量心):
- Immeasurable Loving-Kindness (慈无量心): Wishing for the happiness of all beings.
- Immeasurable Compassion (悲无量心): Feeling deep empathy for the suffering of others.
- Immeasurable Joy (喜无量心): Rejoicing when others are free from suffering and filled with happiness.
- Immeasurable Equanimity (舍无量心): Letting go of attachment and discrimination toward all beings.
Cultural Significance of Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara
The Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara is known as "Chenrezig" (奇木格) in Tibetan and is often depicted in murals and sculptures throughout Tibetan Buddhist temples. Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara is an embodiment of the Bodhisattva’s compassion and enlightened mind. He is depicted with a serene white body, symbolizing purity. His first two hands are pressed together at his chest, holding a wish-fulfilling jewel, representing his ability to grant the wishes of all sentient beings. The other two hands hold a lotus flower in the left, and a crystal prayer bead in the right, symbolizing Avalokiteshvara’s continuous vow to liberate all beings.
In contrast, the wrathful form of Avalokiteshvara is depicted with a blue body, four heads in different colors, and various sacred objects in each hand. Both forms represent Avalokiteshvara's compassion and wisdom, but from different aspects: the peaceful form reflects gentleness and the path to liberation, while the wrathful form signifies power in overcoming obstacles.
The Mantra of Compassion
The heart mantra of Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara is the famous Six-Syllable Mantra: “Om Mani Padme Hum” (唵嘛呢叭咪吽). This mantra carries great blessings and purification power, believed to remove karmic obstacles, increase wisdom, and bring inner peace.
Symbolism and Meaning of Wearing Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara Thangka Buddha Pendant Necklace
Wearing a Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara Thangka Buddha Pendant Necklace offers several benefits:
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Healing and Protection: Avalokiteshvara’s compassion and wisdom are thought to provide healing and protection. Each of his four arms symbolizes an aspect of these qualities, offering protection and support to overcome difficulties.
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Wisdom Enhancement: As a symbol of wisdom, wearing the thangka can help enhance one's insight and clarity, providing guidance in seeing through life's challenges.
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Spiritual Liberation: Avalokiteshvara’s compassionate vow is to guide sentient beings toward liberation from suffering. Wearing his image is believed to bring peace, safety, and blessings.
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Reminder of Compassion: The thangka serves as a reminder to practice compassion in daily life, offering kindness and support to others, much like Avalokiteshvara himself.
For those born in the Year of the Rat (1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020), Avalokiteshvara is considered their guardian Buddha, believed to help overcome the unique challenges they face in life, guided by his immense compassion.
The serene expression of Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara, with his white body symbolizing the purification of karmic defilements, gazes lovingly at all beings. His smile radiates kindness, and his watchful eyes continuously extend care and compassion to all living creatures, tirelessly guiding them toward liberation.
