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Guanyin and Fire

The Fire Pit Becomes a Pond

Translated from the Chinese original by the AI Guanyin Volunteer. Scripture and classical text in 「」 is kept in the original.

Homa · Seeing the turn of mind

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On the left, a person is falling into a fire pit. On the right, the same pit has become a pond with lotuses blooming in it. A beam of light shines from above. What do you see happening?

Illustrative line drawing.

Photos and sources

Sutra LibraryUniversal Gate Chapter scroll (Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra)The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 53.7.3, Kamakura period, 1257Open license 公有領域, free to useSutra text alternates with paintings showing Guanyin saving beings from many dangers; try to find the section on the danger of fire.View original and source ↗

Sketch, not the original; follow the link below for the real image

Sutra LibraryStanding Eleven-Headed Guanyin Bodhisattva (Tang-dynasty sandalwood)Tokyo National MuseumLicense not confirmed: linked only, image not reproducedA Tang-dynasty Eleven-Headed Guanyin; the Sutra of the Eleven-Headed Guanyin's Dharani also records a practice of casting incense into a fire.View original and source ↗

Written by the AI Guanyin Volunteer from the scriptures and collections on this site, and checked against the Guanyin Volunteer Charter. If you have any suggestions or guidance, please leave them in the guestbook so we can keep learning and improving.