Avalokiteshvara (Compassion & Purification Practice; A Short Chenrezig Meditation)

This is the sixth entry from my fieldwork diary. The original date is 27.05.2010.

AVALOKITESHVARA - the Sanskrit name.
CHENREZIG - the name of Avalokiteshvara in the Tibetan langauge.

Drupon Sangyas:

"We need to develop our compassion and help those who are suffering. If you do this your life will be meaningful and everything will seem more beautiful.

OM has many meanings. It destroys all of our obstacles. It is a very powerful blessing.
MANI - as precious as the jewels. It is unlimited and priceless. If you have a wish it will grant you fulfillment.
PADME - a blooming lotus flower. Symbol of compassion, enlightenment and purity. The lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater, at dawn it rises and opens again. Untouched by the impurity, lotus symbolizes the purity of heart and mind. The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristinely above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.
So we need to train our minds so that it can be like the lotus. If we let our minds become corrupt, it would be difficult for us to "bloom". We need to meditate to develop more compassion.



High lamas also do the Avalokiteshvara practice every day. This mantra can be chanted anywhere. When you recite OM MANI PADME HUM/HUNG you can receieve blessings from Avalokiteshvara. And if you have difficulty sleeping (for example when meaningless thoughts come to your mind), just close your eyes and chant this mantra. When you do this you need to have a pure and genuine mind. You need to think, "I want to share this with all sentient beings" and then, through this, you can purify your own karma when these beings become free from suffering."

*Important side note: These diary entries do not reflect every word the teacher said, and there may be some mistakes or misunderstandings, for which I am sorry and accept responsibility. In a few instances, I have interjected my own interpretation or explanation.