Description
In one story about Guanyin, our patron saint of compassion, her head literally explodes when she tries to contemplate the suffering of all the beings left in hell. Fortunately, future-buddha Amitabha comes along and gives her more heads. But then when she tries to help, her arms explode too! So he gives her a thousand arms. Sunday Zen from June 19, 2023.
Summary
From what I’ve heard, Buddhism is concerned with ending suffering. I guess I am, too.
In one story about Guanyin, our patron saint of compassion, her head literally explodes when she tries to contemplate the suffering of all the beings left in hell. Fortunately, future-buddha Amitabha comes along and gives her more heads. But then when she tries to help, her arms explode too! So he gives her a thousand arms. It’s a kind of strategy, I suppose.
If you live in the same world I do, you’d probably agree her work is still not complete. And rightly so! She’s got to clear out the god realm, the demigod realm, the hungry ghost realm, the hell realm, the animal realm, and the human realm. Talk about job security.
So what’s a bodhisattva to do?
Sunday Zen with Guest Host Jesse Cardin, June 18, 2023.
Read More▼