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The Twelve Great Vows of Avalokiteshvara
The fourth title, “Homage to the One Who Subdues Demons and Eradicates Evil Spirits, Avalokiteshvara Tathagata, Who Has the Power to Remove Calamities and Dangers,” expresses the capacity to use precepts and mindfulness in deportment to stand upright, not being subdued by inner or outer obstacles. Demonic obstacles are negative energies that cling to body–body, speech–speech, and mind–mind; Avalokiteshvara Tathagata “subdues” and “eradicates” these forces, just as the Buddha Shakyamuni subdued the demon of Doubt under the Bodhi tree.
The fifth title, “Homage to the Pure Vase and Willow Branch, Avalokiteshvara Tathagata, Who Sprinkles the Nectar of Compassion According to the Heart’s Aspiration,” paints the image of the Bodhisattva holding in the left hand a vase containing the nectar of compassion, and in the right hand a willow branch to sprinkle drops of loving-kindness onto the hearts of beings, relieving suffering and opening the door of insight.
The sixth title, “Homage to the Great Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity, Avalokiteshvara Tathagata, Who Always Practices the Aspiration of Equality,” emphasizes the Four Immeasurable Minds:
- Loving-kindness (giving happiness to others)
- Compassion (removing suffering from others)
- Joy (rejoicing in the happiness of others)
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Equanimity (maintaining freedom, without discrimination)
and the vow to act with equality toward all beings.
The seventh title, “Homage to the One Who Guards Day and Night Without Harm, Avalokiteshvara Tathagata, Who Vows to End the Three Evil Paths,” is the vow to guard, observe, and protect the precepts, concentration, and insight of the Sangha day and night, and at the same time to rescue all beings so that they do not fall into the three realms of suffering: hell, hungry ghosts, and animals.