Hello, everyone. Today, I want to share
with you in this video the karmic connection between
Mazu and Avalokitesvara. Mazu is a very familiar goddess
in our folk beliefs. She indeed has a
historical presence. She was born during
the Song Dynasty. She was one of five
daughters in her family. Although her father already
had five daughters and one son, he still strongly wished
for another male heir. Because one of his
sons was very frail. His health was very poor. So they prayed to Avalokitesvara
to bless them with another son. Not long after, possibly
due to sincere prayers, One night, her mother dreamt
of Avalokitesvara personally handing a
pill to Mrs. Wang. Mrs. Wang is the
mother of Mazu. Her mother had an
auspicious dream where Avalokitesvara
bestowed a special pill. A radiant red light followed. Soon, she knew she was pregnant. During her pregnancy, her house was filled with
a pleasant fragrance. In Meizhou, Fujian, a sacred woman was born. When she was born, They named her Lin Mo. She is often affectionately
called Mo Niang. Why was she named Lin Mo? Because when she reached
one month old, She never cried. Whenever she saw people, she
brought joy and happiness to them. Always smiling. So from a young age, she was very
knowledgeable and well-mannered. Extremely intelligent. Very empathetic, able to
understand others' suffering. Therefore, she had
her own destiny. In her early teens, she followed her
father to Mount Putuo. Mount Putuo is a coastal region. At that time, among
the Four Sacred Mountains, one of them was Mount Putuo. It is associated
with Avalokitesvara. So, at that time, she had
great faith in Avalokitesvara. She had unwavering confidence. And she took refuge
in the Three Jewels. Becoming a disciple
of the Three Jewels. Later on, she continuously
studied Mahayana scriptures. Constantly reminding herself
to emulate Avalokitesvara. The compassion to relieve
suffering upon hearing it. A heart for helping the world. Therefore, Lin Mo Mazu has the initial karmic
connection with Avalokitesvara. Many people now say whether Mazu is one of the
incarnations of Avalokitesvara. In fact, in our
Mahayana scriptures, in a well-known text, called the Universal Door Chapter
of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, there is Aksayamati Bodhisattva. He asked the Buddha, "World-Honored One, why does
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva move about in this Saha world? And how does she skillfully
speak the Dharma to benefit beings? What is the manner in
which this occurs?" Aksayamati Bodhisattva
asked the Buddha, "How does Avalokitesvara
Bodhisattva relate
to the Saha world? The Saha world is the
world we currently inhabit, also known as the Endurance World. How and why does she have such
a connection with the beings here, and how does she skillfully
use countless expedient
means to aid and save them? To rescue and liberate
beings upon hearing their
callings of suffering. Therefore, the Buddha answered
Aksayamati Bodhisattva, as stated in the scripture: "Good man, if there are beings
in a country, and they can be saved by
manifesting as a Buddha,
Avalokitesvara will manifest as a Buddha
and expound the Dharma. If they can be saved by
manifesting as a Pratyekabuddha, she will manifest as a Pratyekabuddha
and expound the Dharma. If they can be saved by
manifesting as a Shravaka, she will manifest as a Shravaka
and expound the Dharma." If they can be saved by
manifesting as a Brahma King, she will manifest as a Brahma
King and expound the Dharma. Many different manifestations
are mentioned in the scriptures, a total of thirty-two different
transformative manifestations, including heavenly beings, humans,
gods like Shakra and Brahma, monks, kings, elders, laypersons, and even elders and laypersons. Monks and nuns, children, and women, and so on. All of these are manifestations
of Avalokitesvara to alleviate the suffering of
beings in the Saha world. She transforms into different
forms as needed. So, coming back to Mo Niang, in her early teens, she had the karmic connection
to encounter Buddhism. She even had a special
affinity with Avalokitesvara. A unique and responsive
connection. This connection has been
passed down through the
generations in the community. Lin Mo, known as Mo Niang, eventually became the
goddess in everyone's hearts. She became the goddess
of the sea because she protects the
coastal regions. In coastal areas
like Southeast Asia, many coastal regions have a strong connection
and devotion to Mazu. They have great faith in her. Due to this affinity, Mo Niang, being a vegetarian
from a young age, believed in Buddhism
and had a special connection
with Avalokitesvara. She was very
responsive and attuned. Therefore, Avalokitesvara, in this incredible way, Allowing her to have this inner
conviction from a young age, she already developed the mind of Bodhicitta,
practicing the bodhisattva path, which is to hear the callings
of suffering beings and save them, not hesitating to help any
suffering beings she encountered, selflessly and wholeheartedly. This devotion has led to great admiration from
later generations. So, although in Buddhism there isn't a clearly
defined status, she indeed has a
profound connection with Buddhism. As I mentioned earlier, from a young age, she
had this connection, and a responsive relationship
with Avalokitesvara. This responsive connection
led her to follow the spirit
of Avalokitesvara, to save and help those in need. The spirit of responding
to the cries of suffering. She endeavored to do
what she could for her village and
many other areas. She possessed incredible strength and many people say "Is Mazu the same
as Avalokitesvara? Is Avalokitesvara also Mazu?" In Buddhism, although there were many
who were initially non-Buddhists, they eventually took refuge
in the Three Jewels. becoming a protector of Buddhism. Similarly, in history,
figures like Guan Gong who initially served a warlord, but later, after certain
circumstances and influences, decided to repent for
past violent deeds and took refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. So, he became a Dharma
Protector in Buddhism. Known as Samgharama
Bodhisattva. In the case of Mazu, as I mentioned earlier, in the Universal Door Chapter, Avalokitesvara can manifest
countless forms to help beings in need, regardless of the form, as the internal qualities
are paramount. It's the inner qualities
that matter most. Avalokitesvara seeks
to help all beings and alleviate their suffering. So, Mazu and Avalokitesvara indeed have a special connection, as I described with Lin Mo, known as Mo Niang, why she is highly revered
by later generations, In coastal areas, Mazu is
always worshipped, and there are Mazu temples
everywhere along the coast. It's very prosperous, with thriving incense offerings. It's Mazu's compassionate heart, that unwavering wish to alleviate
the suffering of beings, that has led her to develop
the skillful means to help and save beings
through various methods. Whether big or small, she
helps beings in need. I believe in folk beliefs, people seek blessings
and protection which brings peace of mind. Mazu blesses and protects. So, you can feel secure. Similarly, Avalokitesvara has the same fearless spirit to save and protect beings. I hope that in this
brief sharing today, you can learn about the
connections between
Mazu and Avalokitesvara and be inspired to develop Bodhicitta for the
benefit of all beings. I believe it's a noble spirit. Wishing you auspiciousness
at all times. Amitabha.
