Deities and Faith
What is the difference between Guanshiyin Bodhisattva and Guanzizai Bodhisattva?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Guanshiyin and Guanzizai are both names of Guanyin Bodhisattva. Different names do not make them two entirely separate Bodhisattvas.
Looking at the literal meanings, however, I feel the approaches differ slightly. Guanshiyin brings to mind hearing the voices of beings in the world, understanding their suffering and helping. Guanzizai reminds me of looking inward, knowing our own mind and existence, then understanding further principles through ourselves.
This is how I help people understand the names, not a division into one role concerned only with outside and another only with inside. After learning the names, consider what they remind us to learn: willingness both to hear others’ suffering and understand our own minds.