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Every year, on the 19th of February, 19th of June, and 19th of September in the lunar calendar, Buddhists all over the world gather to celebrate Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Day. However, many people still don't fully understand the significance of this day. Let's dive into our article to gain a deeper understanding of this occasion!
On which dates does Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Day fall?
There are 3 days in a year dedicated to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Buddhists worldwide sincerely devote themselves to these days:
- The 19th of February in the lunar calendar is Avalokitesvara's Birth Day.
- The 19th of June in the lunar calendar is Avalokitesvara's Enlightenment Day.
- The 19th of September in the lunar calendar is Avalokitesvara's Renunciation Day.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
To learn more about which dates in the years 2019, 2020, or upcoming years correspond to the transition from lunar to solar, you can visit our lunar calendar page. Additionally, you can also look up more information about the lunar-solar calendar here for additional useful insights into Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Day.
History and significance of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
History
In the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha once said that Avalokitesvara was a prince, the son of King No Worries. At that time, there was a Buddha named Precious Store Tathagata who realized the supreme teachings. The king and the prince had great aspirations for enlightenment, so they studied diligently in order to become Buddhas and alleviate the suffering of sentient beings, aspiring to attain enlightenment someday.
Initially, the king and the prince respectfully offered food and supplies to the Buddha and the monastic community for three months. Through sincerity, reverence, and diligent cultivation, the king and the prince attained Buddhahood. King No Worries attained Buddhahood and made 48 vows to deliver all sentient beings, taking the name Amitabha Buddha. The prince attained the status of Great Bodhisattva, known as Avalokitesvara. The Bodhisattva and Amitabha Buddha lead sentient beings back to the Land of Ultimate Bliss.
In scriptures, mythology, and literature, Avalokitesvara is depicted as the most powerful deity after the Buddha. This may be because of their role in saving all sentient beings, elevating them to such importance to reflect people's reverence. Avalokitesvara manifests in all forms to rescue sentient beings, especially during crises involving fire, water, demons, and swords. In Vietnam and China, Avalokitesvara is depicted as a woman. In Vietnam, Avalokitesvara is also revered as the Mother Goddess in the pantheon, with Princess Ngoc Hoa considered as Avalokitesvara.
Meaning of the name Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
The name Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva holds a profound significance:
- Avalokitesvara refers to observing, understanding, and knowing the other party clearly
- Bodhisattva represents liberation, salvation for sentient beings, helping them overcome all difficulties in life.
Thus, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is someone who always observes, listens to the cries of suffering from sentient beings in the world to come and rescue them. They embody compassion, kindness, and forgiveness to rescue everyone, indiscriminately like a mother always protects her children.
What should be done on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Day?
Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara symbolizes love, compassion, and great mercy. Wherever there is suffering, difficulty, they always appear to help people overcome their hardships. Therefore, on their special days, what can we do to show our respect for Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara?
What should be done on Avalokitesvara's Day?
Many Buddhists make vows to observe vegetarianism, some go to temples. Some Buddhists recite the Great Compassion Mantra, some print scriptures, engage in charity, and release animals to accumulate more merits. All these actions are very commendable.
If you have no means and don't know what to do, you just need to refrain from committing sins, keep your mind pure, refrain from speaking evil, refrain from doing evil, and forgive everyone. Alternatively, you can also make the following three vows:
May I love myself.
Loving oneself means loving oneself wholly, accepting one's true self, both the bad and the good. When you love yourself, you will be able to help yourself to have the opportunity to develop, supplement, and perfect yourself towards goodness.
From loving yourself, you will think of all the people around you. From there, you will always love them, care for them, be tolerant towards them more, and gradually abandon your own bad habits and bad habits that make others not have to worry about you. That alone, you have done a very good thing.
Loving ourselves helps us mend our weaknesses, develop our strengths, care for and assist those around us. Doing so is fulfilling the great vow of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.
May I endure patiently in all circumstances, favorable and unfavorable.
Through patient endurance, the Bodhisattva has transcended many adversities. Practicing patience is also very beneficial. Patience helps us maintain a calm mind in all situations, whether favorable or unfavorable. It doesn't make us arrogant when praised or flattered by others. And it doesn't make us sad or miserable when unfortunate events occur.
However, we should endure patiently to keep our minds tranquil, not to plot revenge. That's not what the Bodhisattva wants us to do.
May I deeply listen to the suffering of those around me.
Listening deeply is very beneficial. It not only helps us understand more about the suffering and sorrows of those around us, but it also helps cultivate compassion within us. As a result, we can assist them, alleviate their burdens, or at least help them feel comfortable by releasing the burdens from their hearts.
How to Arrange a Home Altar and Obtain Offerings for Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
Nowadays, more and more people who follow the Buddhist faith worship Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. They always hope that the Bodhisattva can bless their families with peace and happiness. However, many people still lack understanding of the methods of worshipping Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva at home.
Arrangement and Offerings for Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Day
Here are some notes on worshiping the Goddess of Mercy at home:
Altar Arrangement
- It is best to place the statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva separate from other deity statues. This may not be auspicious. Because the Bodhisattva is inherently pure, vegetarian, placing together with other deities may not be good when offering salty foods.
- The altar should be placed facing the 'West to East' direction. Absolutely avoid turning the statue of Avalokitesvara towards directions with restrooms, bedroom doors, and dining rooms.
- The statue should be placed away from doors and corridors to avoid conflicting energies.
- Do not place the Buddha altar horizontally or below the ancestral altar.
- Arrangement: On the central altar, there should be the Buddha statue with the incense burner placed under the Buddha's feet. On both sides are two candles, or beside the candles are two cups of water. Behind on both sides are 2 vases of flowers and 2 plates of fruits.
Considerations When Setting Up an Altar at Home:
- The water cups should be changed daily. The water should be pure, filtered water.
- The incense should be changed daily.
- Do not let the altar gather dust.
Obtaining Offerings for Worship:
- Acquire vegetarian offerings such as incense, fresh flowers, ripe fruits, candles, ceremonial items, sweet rice desserts. Avoid offering non-vegetarian items like meat, dishes containing garlic, onions, etc.
- Choose traditional Buddhist flowers such as lotus, lily, peony, marigold,... Avoid selecting wildflowers or mixed varieties.
- Do not set up a feast table for Buddhist offerings; simple offerings of incense, lit candles, fresh flowers, sweet fruits, and clean water are sufficient.
However, if circumstances do not permit, we only need to sincerely direct our thoughts towards Avalokitesvara because the Buddha resides within each of our hearts.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Offering Prayer
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Prayer
On the day of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's offering, in addition to the prayer requesting Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's blessing, homeowners may recite the sutras, the 12 Great Vows of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. With sincere reverence for Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, homeowners feel peaceful, protected in their practice, and experience overall peace.
Recitation on Avalokitesvara's offering day
We hope that after reading our article, you have gathered sufficient information about Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's offering day. And we hope everyone can cultivate the compassionate virtue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to alleviate all suffering and pain.
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