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Dharma Focus
Thousand Arms and Thousand Eyes Avalokiteshvara
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Avalokiteshvara is the Bodhisattva of the Great Compassion, accepted by all Buddhist traditions and famously known
as Kuan Yin (a feminine form) by the Chinese. His vast vows is to deliver all sentient beings from falling into evil states
and lead them towards salvation or enlightenment.
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The Thousand Hands and Thousand Eyes Avalokiteshvara is depicted standing
and has eleven heads with three levels diminishing in size as they face outward,
upon these nine heads is that of vajrapani, and on the top, crowned with that of
Buddha Amitaba.
There is an eye in each palm of the thousand hands, the first 8 are distinct. The
first pair at the heart holds a single precious jewel. The three right hands extended
to the side are in the mudra of generosity, holding a Dharma wheel and a crystal
prayer bead mala. The three on the left hold a water flask, a bow and arrow and a
lotus blossom. Each face is adorned with a gold crown, ribbons and earrings.
Necklaces, bracelets and precious jewels adorn the body and a scarf is wrapped
about the neck. A deerskin is worn across the left shoulder and the lower body is
covered in various silk fabrics. With the two legs together he stands atop a lotus
flower surrounded by radiant light forming a thin green and orange nimbus around
the body.
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The Thousand Arms and Thousand Eyes Avalokiteshvara is mostly represented by the heart mantra OM MANI PADME
HUM.
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The Nyung Nye Retreat is a fasting practice of the Thoursand Arms and Thousand Eyes Chenrezig, it is a great way to
purify past negative karma as well as accumulate merit.
>>More about Nyung Nye
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