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Preface
5 Planes of Existence
Introduction
Five Planes of Manifestation
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AVALOKITESVARA (AVA-LOKI-TESh-VARA)
A symbol of the Higher Self or Incarnate
Self under the aspect of Love.
"The Buddha Amitabha, 'He of Infinite Light.' His chief minister is
Avalokitesvara, a Bodhisatva who has taken a vow not to enter
Nirvana until he has led thither all living creatures, and who for
this supreme grace is worshipped throughout the North with a
corresponding fervour of devotion.' - L. D. BARNETT, The Path of
Light, p. 25.
"In the duty of watching over and protecting the whole Buddhist
world, Avalokitesvara (=Padma-pāni), that is, 'the Lord who looks
down with pity on all men,' certainly takes the lead, and his name
was in keeping with the reputation for answering prayer which he
soon achieved. People, therefore, pray to him more frequently than
to any other Bodhi-sattva, and not only for release from the misery
of future re-births, but in all cases of present bodily danger and
domestic affliction. Hence he has numerous other names or epithets,
such as 'God of mercy,' 'Ocean of pity,' 'Deliverer from fear,' Lord
of the world,' 'World-protector,' 'Protector of the Aryas.'" - MON.
WILLIAMS, Buddhism, p. 198.
The higher Love-nature within the soul always attracts, never
repels. Hence the aspiring lower self is attracted to the Higher,
and there is development of the buddhic emotions which purify and
eventually save the soul.
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See Also
BODHISATVA
BUDDHA
CHRIST
ISVARA
PRAYER
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