DYSY-0005 · Deyuan Academy (not scripture)
〈The Five Categories of Light Lamps: Subcategories and Flow〉
Deyuan Academy · 2026-10-10 · version 1
Translated from the Chinese original by the AI Guanyin Volunteer. Scripture and classical quotations are kept in the original Chinese, with a translation in parentheses. Read the Chinese original ›
- Compiled by: Deyuan Academy (organized according to the operator's instruction of 2026-10-10; the first edition was approved on the same day, and the website's light lamp sub-categories, pet lamp forms, flow, and sounds went online in accordance with this text)
- Sources: 〈妙法蓮華經觀世音菩薩普門品〉 (Lotus Sutra, Universal Gate Chapter of Guanshiyin Bodhisattva; translated by Kumārajīva of the Later Qin, T09n0262); 《千手千眼觀世音菩薩廣大圓滿無礙大悲心陀羅尼經》 (Sutra of the Vast, Perfect, Unobstructed Great Compassion Heart Dhāraṇī of the Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Guanshiyin Bodhisattva; translated by Bhagavaddharma of the Tang, T20n1060; hereafter the Thousand-Hand Sutra); the dedication verse of 〈妙法蓮華經化城喻品〉 (Lotus Sutra, Chapter on the Parable of the Phantom City)
- Verification of quotations: all quotations were verified character by character on 2026-10-10. The Universal Gate Chapter and the Phantom City Chapter follow this site's liturgy_texts (compared character by character against the CBETA XML on 2026-10-09); the sixteen lines from the Thousand-Hand Sutra were compared character by character against the original text of CBETA T20n1060, fascicle 1 (cbdata.dila.edu.tw), and all agree. See the Quotation Verification Table at the end of this text.
I. Origin
After the five great lamps in the main hall (the Universal Gate lamp, the blessing lamp, the memorial lamp, the pet lamp, and the all-beings lamp) are opened, only the Universal Gate lamp originally scattered into twelve mood lamps, while the other four lamps remained a mere sea of lights. On 2026-10-10 the operator gave the following instructions:
- The other four lamps must also be divided into subcategories, with five to twelve categories for each lamp, and every category must have a basis in Guanyin scriptures;
- When lighting a lamp there are many categories to choose from, and once the lamps are opened one should be able to see lamps of different forms;
- After the five lamps are opened, all of them (including the Universal Gate lamp) must flow, drifting like sky lanterns; the manner of their flowing must also accord with what the scriptures say;
- The pet lamp should have a lovely design, using the shape of a lamp to express different furry companions such as cats and dogs;
- The sound accompanying each lamp must also have a scriptural or traditional source; the sound should be soft, giving a feeling of lamps flowing one by one, without overpowering the visual scene.
II. Principles
- Each sub-category draws only on scripture lines about "Guanyin's rescue and the fulfillment of wishes"; it does not cite the line 「還著於本人」 (a rule of this site), and it does not speak of protection, efficacy, or empowerment.
- Dharma is not used to seek profit: the blessing lamps have no "seeking wealth" category; the Thousand-Hand Sūtra's grape hand, with 「果蓏諸穀稼」 ("fruits, melons, and all grains and crops"), is taken as "livelihood and harvest."
- The names of the sub-categories are this site's modern wording, and the scripture lines are their basis; the "flow" is a scene this site designed from the imagery of the scripture lines, not content of the scripture itself.
- When lighting a lamp, one additionally chooses one sub-category beneath the category; the lamp's shape and color are still chosen freely by the person lighting it (pet lamps are treated separately in Section VI).
III. The Universal Gate Lamp (twelve states of heart, following the Universal Gate Chapter; already online, this time only motion is added)
| Wind chime (modern phrasing) | Ancient name | Line from the Universal Gate Chapter | Motion |
|---|
| Feeling so happy | 福聚 (gathered blessings) | 慈眼視眾生，福聚海無量。（偈） | Floats lightly up and down, now and then lighting together with the lamps beside it |
| Wanting to say thanks | 供養 (offering) | 即解頸眾寶珠、瓔珞，價直百千兩金，而以與之。 | Moves toward the central light as if presenting a necklace, then draws back |
| Wanting only stillness | 海潮音 (sea-tide sound) | 妙音觀世音，梵音海潮音，勝彼世間音，是故須常念。（偈） | Advances and retreats like the tide, extremely slowly |
| Having a wish | 稱名 (calling the name) | 一心稱名，觀世音菩薩即時觀其音聲。 | Rises straight toward the light a little and brightens once, as if a voice has been heard |
| Praying for family | 依怙 (refuge) | 觀世音淨聖，於苦惱死厄，能為作依怙。（偈） | Several lamps gather into a small cluster and rest beside the light |
| Missing someone | 慈悲觀 (contemplation of compassion) | 真觀清淨觀，廣大智慧觀，悲觀及慈觀，常願常瞻仰。（偈） | Drifts far and drifts back, always turned toward the light |
| So sad | 困厄 (distress) | 眾生被困厄，無量苦逼身，觀音妙智力，能救世間苦。（偈） | Slowly rises from a low place, growing brighter the higher it goes |
| Too angry to bear | 瞋 (anger) | 若多瞋恚，常念恭敬觀世音菩薩，便得離瞋。 | At first sways quickly, then drifts ever more slowly until it finally comes to rest |
| Heart on fire | 火難 (peril of fire) | 設入大火，火不能燒，由是菩薩威神力故。 | The light color gradually shifts from warm red to cool water-blue |
| About to be overwhelmed | 水難 (peril of water) | 若為大水所漂，稱其名號，即得淺處。 | Rises and falls on the waves like a water lantern, gradually drifting to a calm place |
| Feeling trapped | 枷鎖難 (peril of fetters) | 杻械、枷鎖檢繫其身，稱觀世音菩薩名者，皆悉斷壞，即得解脫。 | First stops, then loosens and drifts away |
| So confused | 癡 (delusion) | 若多愚癡，常念恭敬觀世音菩薩，便得離癡。 | Turns in place, then finds its direction and drifts toward the light |
The ancient names were chosen by this site for the twelve wind chimes, taking the meaning of the passages in the Universal Gate Chapter; they are not classification names originally found in the scripture.
IV. Blessing Lamps (Ten Categories, Following the Thousand-Hand Sutra's Forty Hands and the Universal Gate Chapter)
| Subcategory | Scriptural Line (the Thousand-Hand Sutra's "for those who wish for ..., use such-and-such a hand"; the Universal Gate Chapter noted separately) | Movement |
|---|
| Peace | Hand of Granting Fearlessness (施無畏手): 若為一切處怖畏不安者 | Floats steadily, its light brightening and dimming like breathing |
| Wellness (in illness) | Willow Branch Hand (楊枝手): 若為身上種種病者 | Like a willow branch sprinkling water, it sways gently and lets fine points of light fall |
| Coolness (an anxious heart, fever) | Moon-Essence Maṇi Hand (月精摩尼手): 若為熱毒病求清涼者 | Like moonlight slowly gliding past, its color tends toward pale blue |
| Wisdom (studies) | Precious Sutra Hand (寶經手): 若為多聞廣學者 | One lamp after another forms a line rising upward, like pages of a sutra |
| Smooth progress (work) | Precious Bow Hand (寶弓手): 若為榮官益職者 | Traces an arc forward, like an arrow leaving the bowstring |
| Good affinities (meeting good friends) | Precious Arrow Hand (寶箭手): 若為諸善朋友早相逢者 | Two lamps drift in from either side and, once they meet, travel on together |
| Harmony (family) | Hand of the Kuṇḍikā Vase (胡瓶手): 若為一切善和眷屬者 | Several lamps gather into a group and drift together |
| Safe childbirth / seeking a child | The Universal Gate Chapter: 若有女人，設欲求男……設欲求女…… | One large and one small lamp stay close to each other |
| Livelihood / harvest | Grape Hand (蒲萄手): 若為果蓏諸穀稼者 | Slowly descends and rises again, like the swaying of grain ears |
| All merits | White Lotus Hand (白蓮華手): 若為種種功德者 | Drifts freely |
V. Memorial Lamps (Seven Subcategories, by Direction of Dedication)
| Subcategory | Scriptural Line | Movement |
|---|
| Rebirth in the Pure Land | 《千手經》(Thousand-Hand Sutra), Blue Lotus Hand: 若為欲得往生十方淨土者 | Rises slowly and merges into the central light |
| Meeting the Buddhas Face to Face | 《千手經》(Thousand-Hand Sutra), Purple Lotus Hand: 若為面見十方一切諸佛者 | Rises, and flashes once when near the light |
| Never Apart from the Buddhas Life after Life | 《千手經》(Thousand-Hand Sutra), Transformation Buddha Hand: 若為生生之處不離諸佛邊者 | Slowly circles the outer ring of the light |
| Rebirth in the Heavenly Palaces | 《千手經》(Thousand-Hand Sutra), Red Lotus Hand: 若為往生諸天宮者 | Rises the highest and rests at the top of the frame |
| Freedom from Suffering and Attainment of Joy | 〈普門品〉(the Universal Gate Chapter): 種種諸惡趣，地獄鬼畜生，生老病死苦，以漸悉令滅。 (verse) | Drifts up from the dark below, growing brighter as it rises |
| Refuge (for the recently departed and the dying) | 〈普門品〉(the Universal Gate Chapter): 於苦惱死厄，能為作依怙。 (verse) | Stays close beside the light, almost motionless, as if being protected |
| Gratitude and Remembrance | 〈化城喻品〉(Chapter on the Parable of the Illusory City), dedication verse: 願以此功德，普及於一切 | Drifts steadily, glowing softly from time to time |
VI. Pet Lamps (Six Categories, According to the Pet's Condition; the Lamp Shape Expresses the Kind of Pet)
| Subcategory | Scripture line | Movement |
|---|
| Peace and health | 〈普門品〉：慈眼視眾生（偈） | Drifts lightly, occasionally hops |
| In illness | 《千手經》楊枝手：若為身上種種病者 | Drifts slowly, fine points of light around it |
| Accompanying the dying | 〈普門品〉：於苦惱死厄，能為作依怙。（偈） | Draws near the light, slows down |
| Already passed away | 〈普門品〉：種種諸惡趣，地獄鬼畜生，生老病死苦，以漸悉令滅。（偈） | Rises and merges into the light |
| Lost, awaiting return | 《千手經》羂索手：若為種種不安求安隱者 | Circles on the outer ring, gradually moving toward the center |
| Stray, rescue | 《千手經》錫杖手：若為慈悲覆護一切眾生者 | Several small lamps walk sheltered by one larger lamp |
Lamp shape (operator, 2026-10-10): Pet lamps should be endearing, with the lamp body made in the likeness of a pet (rounded, friendly) — dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and small animals, fish and aquatic creatures, others (paw prints). One is chosen when the lamp is lit, separately from the subcategory. The lamp shape is visual imagery and does not bear on scriptural meaning.
VII. Lamps for Sentient Beings (Nine Categories, Following the Perils and the Sufferings of the World in the Universal Gate Chapter)
| Subcategory | Verse from the Universal Gate Chapter | Movement |
|---|
| Fire disaster | 假使興害意，推落大火坑，念彼觀音力，火坑變成池。（偈） | Warm red gradually turns to clear water-blue |
| Flood and shipwreck | 或漂流巨海，龍魚諸鬼難，念彼觀音力，波浪不能沒。（偈） | Rising and falling like a water lamp, never sinking |
| Wind disaster | 假使黑風吹其船舫……（長行） | First blown aslant, then slowly set upright again |
| Thunderstorm and weather disaster | 雲雷鼓掣電，降雹澍大雨，念彼觀音力，應時得消散。（偈） | First gathering together, then dispersing like clouds |
| War and conflict | 諍訟經官處，怖畏軍陣中，念彼觀音力，眾怨悉退散。（偈） | Pressing in from all four directions, then gradually spreading apart, each settling in its own place |
| Confinement and loss of freedom | 或囚禁枷鎖，手足被杻械，念彼觀音力，釋然得解脫。（偈） | First halting, then loosening and drifting away |
| Illness and epidemic | 生老病死苦，以漸悉令滅。（偈） | Gradually brightening from darkness |
| Animals and nature | 若惡獸圍遶，利牙爪可怖，念彼觀音力，疾走無邊方。（偈） | Scattering to the far distance on every side |
| All suffering and affliction | 眾生被困厄，無量苦逼身，觀音妙智力，能救世間苦。（偈） | Gathering toward the light from every place |
VIII. The Sounds of the Five Lamps
All the sounds are very soft and can loop. They are heard only when a given lamp is opened, and they stop when one leaves it. Sound on the whole site is muted by default; it can be heard only after the sound switch at the lower right is turned on. The sounds were composed by this site on the basis of imagery drawn from scripture lines (mathematically synthesized, with no copyright involved); they are not the scripture text itself.
| Lamp | Sound | Basis |
|---|
| Universal Gate Lamp | Wind and a clear, small bell | In the Universal Gate Chapter (〈普門品〉), when one single-mindedly calls the name, Guanyin Bodhisattva (Avalokiteśvara) at once observes that sound. |
| Blessing Lamp | A warm singing bowl and a clear single note like a precious bell, with very long intervals | The Thousand-Hand Sutra (《千手經》), the Precious Bell Hand: 若為成就一切上妙梵音聲者 |
| Remembrance Lamp | Low, slow, far-reaching bell tones and long sustained notes, with abundant silence; one may choose to loop, very softly, this site's recorded recitation of 「南無阿彌陀佛」 (off by default) | Based on the vow to dedicate merit toward rebirth in the Pure Land (Thousand-Hand Sutra, the Blue Lotus Hand: 若為欲得往生十方淨土者) |
| Pet Lamp | Gentle, light, sparse small notes like a xylophone | The Universal Gate Chapter, 慈眼視眾生 (verse) |
| All Beings Lamp | Long, sea-tide-like tones that slowly rise and fall | The Universal Gate Chapter, 妙音觀世音，梵音海潮音，勝彼世間音 (verse) |
IX. Table of Quotation Verification (2026-10-10)
| Scripture passage | This site's database | Status |
|---|
| 《千手經》 (Thousand-Hand Sutra): the sixteen hands — 施無畏 (Fearlessness-Granting), 楊枝 (Willow Branch), 月精摩尼 (Moon-Essence Maṇi), 寶經 (Precious Sutra), 寶弓 (Precious Bow), 寶箭 (Precious Arrow), 胡瓶 (Foreign Vase), 蒲萄 (Grapes), 白蓮華 (White Lotus), 青蓮華 (Blue Lotus), 紫蓮華 (Purple Lotus), 紅蓮華 (Red Lotus), 羂索 (Lasso), 錫杖 (Monk's Staff), 化佛 (Transformation Buddha), 寶鐸 (Precious Bell) | CBETA T20n1060 fascicle 1 (original text obtained from cbdata.dila.edu.tw on 2026-10-10 and compared word by word) | Verified |
| Variant reading of the 化佛手 (Transformation Buddha hand) | CBETA reads 「若為生生之處不離諸佛邊者」, consistent with this site's Compassion Map; the Wikisource edition in this site's scripture database reads 「生生之眾」, which is an error of that edition | Verified (following CBETA) |
| 〈普門品〉 (the Universal Gate Chapter), prose section: seeking sons and daughters, black wind, freedom from anger, freedom from delusion, great fire, great water, shackles and fetters, 「即解頸眾寶珠瓔珞」, 「一心稱名」 | liturgy_texts pumen-cx (compared word by word with the CBETA XML by the site builder on 2026-10-09; full text matches) | Verified (T09n0262) |
| 〈普門品〉 verses: 慈眼 (compassionate eyes), 福聚 (accumulation of blessings), 海潮音 (sound of the ocean tide), 淨聖依怙 (pure and holy refuge), 真觀 (true contemplation), 困厄 (distress), 惡趣 (evil destinies), 火坑 (pit of fire), 巨海 (vast ocean), 雲雷 (clouds and thunder), 軍陣 (battle lines), 囚禁枷鎖 (imprisonment and shackles), 惡獸圍遶 (surrounded by fierce beasts) | liturgy_texts pumen-ge (same as above) | Verified (the verses were added in later times; see the edition notes in the Sutra Library) |
| 〈化城喻品〉 (Chapter on the Parable of the Phantom City) dedication verse | liturgy_texts huixiang | Verified (T09n0262) |
Deyuan Guanyin Hall