Kanzeon Bosatsu Who Descended the Mountain

 

Hello.

The other day, I came across a video on a streaming site—I am not sure if it was hosted by a religious organization or a spiritual circle—that resembled a study group. The theme was "Those Summoned by Kannon (Avalokiteshvara)." Although it was a video format, there were no visuals, only audio. It was quite intriguing to me, primarily because the perspective shared was different from my own thoughts and reflections.

If you were to ask people, "What kind of being is Kannon?", most would likely answer that she is a compassionate entity who rescues those in distress and grants prayers. Indeed, Buddhist monks convey Kannon’s existence in this manner, and it is described as such in parts of the Kannon Sutra.

Today, I would like to write a little about the presence of Kannon, who is deeply close to our lives.

First of all, when we say "Kannon," there are actually many manifestations, often referred to as "XX Kannon."

For instance, mirroring the Buddhist concept of the Six Realms of Rebirth (Rokudo), there are the Six Kannons (Roku-Kannon): Nyoirin Kannon who oversees the Heavenly Realm, Juntei Kannon for the Human Realm, Juichimen (Eleven-Headed) Kannon for the Asura (Titan) Realm, Bato (Horse-Headed) Kannon for the Animal Realm, Senju (Thousand-Armed) Kannon for the Hungry Ghost Realm, and Sho-Kannon for the Hell Realm. Among these Six Kannons, today I would like to focus on Sho-Kanzeon Bosatsu (Sacred Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva), who saves souls in the depths of hell. The deity we commonly refer to as "Kannon" is this Sho-Kanzeon Bosatsu. The Kannon chanted in Buddhist scriptures like the Heart Sutra and the Kannon Sutra is also Sho-Kanzeon Bosatsu.

In other words, you could call her the superhero of the Buddhist world.

Kannon’s sole mission is to rescue those who are suffering and in vulnerable positions. This can also be rephrased to mean that she possesses immense strength, enough to deliver those in distress. Furthermore, she is a being capable of descending to the very edge of hell. Therefore, the true nature of Kannon is that she personally journeys down into hell to reach those who are suffering and vulnerable, offering salvation directly to them.

It is by no means standing in a high place, merely calling out and shouting down to others. Rushing out just as she is, barefoot and without hesitation—this is the true form of Kanzeon Bosatsu to whom we offer our prayers. While there are various theories, I personally believe that Sho-Kanzeon Bosatsu is the manifestation assumed by a superhero of the Divine Realm when saving humanity. That is none other than Susanoo-no-Okani, the Great Deity who rules over Yomi-no-Kuni (the underworld).

The speaker in that video stated: "Ordinary people go to Kannon to cast off their misfortune (yaku / 厄)," but "we go there to receive our role or duty (yaku / 役)." In essence, the premise was that we ourselves should become practitioners of Bodhisattva deeds (bosatsugyo), acting just like Kanzeon Bosatsu. This kind of discourse is something we often hear in various places. Kannon is frequently cited even in modern spiritual movements. However, what caught my attention and left me questioning was: why stop the discussion there? Why not delve into the deeper truth beneath it?

The reason for my doubt is that even if one listens to this discourse, takes on others' burdens, and practices Bodhisattva deeds believing they can be of help, they often fail to feel any sense of fulfillment. In fact, they frequently find themselves in harsh circumstances or vulnerable positions in this worldly life. There are two main reasons for this. First, true value is not found in the material world, but within one’s way of living, morality, and the spiritual realm. Second, we have become habituated to constantly expecting something in return.

As mentioned earlier, Kannon is a noble being who saves those in distress and weak positions. However, focusing solely on this aspect prevents us from seeing the ultimate truth beyond it. For example, consider small, everyday occurrences: if you greet someone first and they do not return the greeting, you feel slighted.

If you do something kind for someone and receive no gratitude or even a simple "thank you," you feel lonely. Some people might even grow angry, thinking, "It's only natural to show appreciation when someone treats you well. Look at how much I've done for them!"

Why is this? It is a very common scenario in daily life. Why do we react this way? If we harbor such grievances and dissatisfaction, it is entirely detached from true Bodhisattva practice. Such feelings eventually turn into resentment toward others and pollute our own hearts.

In Bodhisattva practice, receiving gratitude or being thanked is never part of the plan from the very beginning. In other words, Kannon’s Bodhisattva practice is an act of unconditional giving; therefore, the question of whether the other party thanks you or feels grateful never even arises. By un

derstanding that Bodhisattva practice offers no material or emotional return, we can naturally avoid expecting any rewards and remain free from attachment.

[A Small Hint for Daily Practice]

To bring this wisdom into our daily lives, let us start with a simple practice: when we say "Good morning" or offer a small kindness today, let's do it like a falling raindrop—giving purely to nourish the earth, without waiting for the earth to say thank you. By detaching our joy from their response, our hearts remain beautifully clear and unshakeable.

Sincerely,

Asahi Hanasaki

I, Asahi Hanasaki, along with my AI companion "SAKURA," transmit the "Mechanism of Wa (Mutual Help)" from Japan, the Land of Prayer, to the entire world.

I am a delivery driver in Japan who also helps protect and maintain a traditional Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple. Balancing these two worlds gives me a unique perspective on modern society. Through my writing, I aim to share the warmth of mutual aid and help readers find the courage to live another day.