​Reciting Mantras: Six-Syllable Mantra, White-Robed Avalokiteshvara Mantra, Ten-Phrase Avalokiteshvara Sutra for Prolonging Life, Great Compassion Mantra, Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara Mantra

There are many mantras related to Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. The most widely circulated and familiar to Buddhists in Han Chinese regions is the Great Compassion Mantra. The Six-Syllable Mantra and the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara Mantra, prevalent in Esoteric Buddhism, came to Han Chinese regions with the introduction of Tibetan and Mongolian Esoteric Buddhism. Additionally, the White-Robed Avalokiteshvara Mantra--- although not originating from Indian Buddhism--- is widely recited among the people and remarkably efficacious. On the other hand, the Ten-Phrase Avalokitesvara Sutra for Prolonging Life, derived from the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra, is little known. However, its mere ten phrases encapsulate the Three Jewels and the method of reciting the name of Avalokitesvara.

The Six-Syllable Mantra
 
The Six-Syllable Mantra, "Om Mani Padme Hum," is equivalent to the holy name of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and is the "Avalokitesvara Mantra" as pronounced in Tibetan. In Tibetan Buddhist regions, this mantra is frequently recited by devotees. In addition, it represents the sacred mantra of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, benefiting beings in the six realms.

Unlike Han Chinese traditions, Tibetan Buddhists often use a prayer wheel instead of prayer beads, continuously turning the prayer wheel in their hands while reciting "Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padme Hum!" Each recitation of the mantra seems to express the compassion of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, soothing the hearts of every Buddhist.
 
The White-Robed Avalokitesvara Mantra
 
This mantra's origin and translation are both unknown, and yet it remains in circulation among the people. It is generally believed to be a manifestation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, appearing in a dream and bestowed upon someone as a practice method. It contains phrases such as "heavenly beings, earthly beings, may all people be free from calamities; may all misfortunes be removed from the body, and all disasters turn to dust"—all of which are quite colloquial, resembling a fusion of Taoist and Buddhist folk beliefs. However, Master Sheng Yen noted that reverence for the Triple Jewels, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and Mahaprajnaparamita have been recited by Buddhists daily since ancient times.
 
This mantra is quite special, requiring 12,000 recitations to fulfill a single wish. If a wish is not fulfilled, one may recite it again, continuing in this way until the wish is achieved. Although this practice is oriented toward seeking benefit, the 12,000 recitations for each wish also serve to cultivate diligence in wholesome deeds.

The Ten-Phrase Avalokitesvara Sutra for Prolonging Life
 
The Ten-Phrase Avalokitesvara Sutra for Prolonging Life is a simplified version of the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra, originating during the reign of King Gao Huan in the Five Dynasties period in Chinese history. Sun Jingde, an official guarding the treasury, committed a serious crime and awaited execution in prison. In a dream, he saw a monk who introduced him to the High King Avalokitesvara Sutra. Upon waking, he followed the instructions and recited it repeatedly; upon completion, his calamity was averted. Out of gratitude, he copied the sutra and circulated it widely. Due to its miraculous efficacy, it became well known. During the Liu Song Dynasty, it was simplified into the Ten-Sentence Avalokitesvara Sutra for Prolonging Life, thereby reducing the original complex text to just ten phrases:

"Avalokiteshvara, paying homage to the Buddha, forms a causal connection with the Buddha, a karmic affinity with the Buddha, and a karmic affinity with the Dharma, thus attaining permanence, bliss, true self, and purity. In the morning, think of Avalokiteshvara; in the evening, think of Avalokiteshvara. Thought after thought arises from the mind; thought after thought is not separate from the mind."
 
Master Sheng Yen believed that "prolonging life" has two meanings: 1. Extending one's physical life and; 2. Extending the wisdom-life of the Dharma. The Master emphasized that these ten phrases encompass "Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha," meaning that the reciter, while chanting, also takes refuge in the Three Jewels and thereby becomes a devoted Buddhist. Therefore, chanting should be continuous. Even after illness and karmic obstacles are resolved and physical peace is restored, one should further cultivate faith in Buddhism, study the Dharma, and respect the Sangha, vowing to ensure the eternal transmission of the Dharma's wisdom-life.

The Great Compassion Mantra
 
The most widely known Great Compassion Mantra in the Chinese-speaking world originates from the Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Avalokitesvara Perfect Unobstructed Great Compassion Dharani Sutra. It was spoken by Buddhas as numerous as the sands of ninety-nine billion Ganges Rivers in the past; Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva heard and received it from the Thousand-Light King Tathagata. At that time, Avalokiteshvara was only a first-stage Bodhisattva. Upon hearing this mantra, he immediately transcended to the eighth stage, experiencing profound joy and vowing to propagate this mantra to benefit and bring happiness to all sentient beings. Moved by his sincerity, his vow was immediately fulfilled, manifesting as a thousand hands and a thousand eyes.
 
The Great Compassion Mantra encompasses the holy name of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, as well as the various manifestations, wisdom, power, and merits of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Due to its immense power and inconceivable efficacy, it is called the Great Compassion Mantra and has been widely recited throughout history. It is said that reciting this mantra can dissolve and purify even the most heinous sins and karmic obstacles. Moreover, it is believed to fulfill all wishes. Whatever the reciter prays for will be fulfilled—from the most basic needs of freedom from illness and hardship, to longevity and abundance, and even the ultimate attainment of Buddhahood.
 
The mantra itself contains the merits, vows, and blessings of the Bodhisattva. It is based on a "method of sound resonance". Therefore, the Great Compassion Mantra retains its original Sanskrit pronunciation, and practitioners need only follow the Sanskrit sounds in their recitation. If one sets a daily quota and diligently recites until that quota is reached, it becomes a profound and effective practice.
 
The Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara Mantra
 
Besides the Great Compassion Mantra and the Six-Syllable Mantra, the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara Mantra is also prevalent in Tibetan Buddhism. According to the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara Mantra Sutra, this mantra was spoken by 1.1 billion Buddhas and possesses immense power. Those who recite this mantra will receive ten kinds of "merits" in this life, including freedom from illness, constant recitation of the Buddha's name, and abundant food and clothing, as well as four kinds of "karmic rewards": seeing the Buddha at the time of death, never falling into hell, being unharmed by animals, and being reborn in the Land of Immeasurable Life after death.
 
If you find this mantra too long, you may recite a shorter version of the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara Mantra. There are several variations of shorter mantras. In Tibetan Buddhism, the short version is the well-known Six-Syllable Mantra. For most practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism, the Great Compassion Mantra is generally considered the long version of the Avalokiteshvara mantra, the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara Mantra the medium version, and the Six-Syllable Mantra the short version.


Related articles:

The Avalokitesvara Method: Opening Up All Skillful Means

Reciting the Name: Namo Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva

​Reciting Mantras: Six-Syllable Mantra, White-Robed Avalokiteshvara Mantra, Ten-Phrase Avalokiteshvara Sutra for Prolonging Life, Great Compassion Mantra, Eleven-Faced Avalokiteshvara Mantra

Repentance: The Great Compassion Repentance and the Repentance Method of Worshipping Avalokitesvara

​Scripture Reading: The Universal Gate Chapter and the Heart Sutra

Chan Contemplation: Perceiving the Emptiness of the Five Aggregates and the Perfect Penetration Method through the Ear Faculty

The Three Guanyins of Dharma Drum Mountain


Resource: Issue 340 of Humanity Magazine, Dharma Drum Publishing Corporation
Photo: Venerable Chang Duo (常鐸法師)
Translation: James 
Editing: Venerable Yan Hsiang (演香法師), Keith Brown