Tribute to the 1938 Nantung Edition of Guanyin Master Prints Book (Part I)
In 1938 war torn China, Upasaka Fei Hui Mao of Nantung City collected well over a hundred master drawings of Avalokitesvara from the preceding five imperial dynasties (Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing), created a collotype replica print book of these drawings, printed 1000 copies of it using the finest rice paper, and distributed them for free. He hoped that doing so would spur the populace to cultivate the Guanyin Dharma-door, and thus save themselves from the impending wars. Master Yin Guang applauded his efforts and wrote a famous foreword for it, which I translated back in 2021:
Master Yin Guang’s Original Foreword for the 1938 Edition of Collotype Prints Of Famous Dynastic Paintings Of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva:
Date: 27th year of the Republic
Countless aeons ago, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva achieved Bodhi, and was thereafter honored as the Buddha of Bright and Upright Dharma ; dwelling perpetually in the Pure State of Sole and Lasting Light, forever enjoying true and everlasting Dharma bliss. However, because of his boundless compassion, and his vows of unlimited benevolence, he returned to the nine realms to rescue the suffering and help the needy. He manifests across the myriad Buddha-lands of the ten directions, heeding the voices of all who cry out in pain. He has particular affinity with the beings of the Saha world.
To those who are without virtuous roots, he encourages them to accrue virtues. To those whose virtues are not yet ripe, he helps ripen them. And to those who are not yet liberated, he speedily liberates them. Moreover, he manifests in myriad forms to speak the Dharma, and whatever form he appears as or whatever Dharma he preaches are all tailored to the unique inclinations of the audience. Wherever he appears, suffering is alleviated and joy forthcoming.
In recent years public morality has declined considerably. Many slaughter each other as they contend over territory and cities, and upon such man-made calamities are added natural disasters — droughts, floods and pestilences. These disasters are the result of the various evil deeds accrued by everyone over many lifetimes. However, if the heart can create karma, it can recreate karma as well. Therefore, if we sincerely recite Homage to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva whenever calamities and disasters dawn upon us, vowing henceforth to walk the honest path of forgiveness, compassion and true virtue, then we will certainly receive the merciful protection of the Bodhisattva, have those disasters dissolved and avoid all danger. Let the individual karma of reciting Avalokitesvara’s holy name recreate the collective destiny of current and past lifetimes, thus creating great auspiciousness.
All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas view the inhabitants of the Samsara as their own dear sons and daughters. Thus, they often wish to see all leave suffering and attain bliss. Unfortunately, sentient beings are deluded and lacking in faith. Therefore, they remain ignorant of the Buddhas’ ceaseless compassion. It is just like those who wear a basin over their heads can never admire the clear sunny skies despite being right under it.
As war and conflict currently smother the world, making death and displacement omnipresent, all are mired in deep suffering! Fortunately, Upasaka Fei Hui-Mao of Nantung City has long desired to do something to help people avoid such pains. Thus, he has arduously accumulated master paintings of Avalokitesvara dating from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties — 142 in total. He intends to produce a thousand collotype reproductions of his collection for distribution, using only the finest paper. He hopes that all who see them will be brought towards proper faith and recite the name of Avalokitesvara, thereby wiping away all manifesting bad karma and planting virtuous roots of Bodhi.
Moreover, we must understand that the Bodhisattva has not his own heart, but is within the hearts of all sentient beings. He has not his own environment, but exists in the surroundings of all sentient beings. To feel is to connect, and a response occurs without seeking. This is because the minds of sentient beings are fundamentally joined with the Bodhisattva’s. But as sentient beings often turn their backs on truth and accord with the six kinds of dust, they block this inherent connection.
If they could instead give rise to a single thought of faith, sincerely hold the Bodhisattva’s name, turn their backs on the six kinds of dust to accord with truth, turn away from delusion, and return to enlightenment, then there will be a spontaneous connection. Thus, whenever common people meet great disasters, they obtain a response as they truly cry for the Bodhisattva.
Furthermore, whenever the Bodhisattva manifests, he is not limited to forms of the living. He may manifest as the mountains and forests, as bridges and boats, as pavilions, houses, walls, villages or as anything the situation demands. He will manifest whatever it takes to shelter those in danger. The various ways he saves beings are so many it is hard to recount them all. A general idea can be had by reading the Odes to Guanyin (觀音本跡頌), Records of the Spiritual Responses of Guanyin (觀音靈感錄) and the Guanyin Cilin Collection (觀音慈林集).
Thus, whenever man-made calamities and natural disasters occur in droves, the only solution is to commit to virtue and recite the holy name of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Even in times of peace, we must recite it often as well. By doing so, we reap the five fortunes (health, prestige/ riches, virtue, long life and peaceful death) at the minimum, and utmost Bodhi if we are wise — thereby attaining complete liberation from all suffering in accordance with the Bodhisattva’s merciful vows. According to the Lotus Sutra, sentient beings afflicted with lust, hatred and ignorance can see their vices recede if they often cherish and recite the name of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Thus, I hope all who read this will recite the name of Avalokitesvara.
— From the Collected Works of Master Yin Guang
Translation published on the March 2023 Issue of VBS:
Now in 2024, wars, looming escalation, famine and disasters likewise smother the world, with talks that we’ve gone from the post war era to a new pre war era. The world increasingly resembles the strife filled times of Master Yin Guang. Thus, not only have I decided to republish my translation of Master Yin Guang’s famous foreword, I’ve decided to include a tribute gallery of Guanyin images and statues, from diverse sources (including my own photography), in tribute to Upasaka Fei Hui Mao’s ideal and spirit:
Guanyin Gallery:
Part II (gallery continued):
Recommended:
