Vase Hand (胡瓶手): For a Family to Live in Harmony

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

Original text

若為一切善和眷屬者。 當於胡瓶手。《千手千眼觀世音菩薩廣大圓滿無礙大悲心陀羅尼經》 (Tang dynasty, translated by Bhagavaddharma, T1060)

Plain-language explanation

The scripture for this lesson is a single line: 「若為一切善和眷屬者。當於胡瓶手。」 It means that one who wants relatives to live together in harmony should rely on the Vase Hand. This is the fourteenth of the Forty Hands in the 《大悲心陀羅尼經》 (Great Compassion Mantra Sutra).

First, the name. A 胡瓶 is a kind of vase, and the principal figure of this hand is called Vase-Holding Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. Another text, the 《千光眼觀自在菩薩祕密法經》, has a further description: this Bodhisattva holds a vase in the right hand, and the mouth of the vase looks like a garuda (golden-winged bird). This is how the esoteric ritual texts describe the hand and the image; here we only note that the scripture says so.

Next, 「眷屬」. It refers to the relatives and close ones around us, and 「善和」 means harmony. So this hand corresponds to the relationships between people. According to this site's Compassion Map, this hand belongs to the Lotus Family and falls under the practice of Reverence and Affection, and its way of helping is “bringing into harmony”.

It is worth keeping two things apart: 「善和眷屬」 is the original meaning of the scripture. Extending it to present-day family support or the repair of relationships is this site's modern way of putting it; the scripture itself does not speak of such details.

In modern life, bringing harmony is often a matter of very concrete small things. In public news reports, a county government has honored mediators who settled disputes in their communities, and a one-day camp for grandparents and grandchildren let three generations grow closer by learning together. These are all ways of mending the seams between people.

This lesson does not say that reciting or drawing something will surely bring a family into harmony. The scripture speaks of which hand to rely on as a direction of seeking; how words are said and things are done between family members still depends on the people themselves. If you have difficulties in your household, in marriage, between parents and children, or in getting along with others, and would like someone to talk to, the Family Education Counseling Hotline at 412-8185 can be called; it is confidential and free of charge.

Key terms

眷屬

Refers to the relatives and close ones around us. This line speaks of the relationships within this circle of people, not of an individual's career or wealth.

善和

Means living together in harmony. “Shan” means doing so well; “he” means being gentle and without quarrel. What the whole line seeks is harmony in relationships.

胡瓶手

The fourteenth of the Forty Hands. Its principal figure is called Vase-Holding Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva (持瓶觀自在菩薩), who holds a vase (胡瓶) in the right hand. On this site's Compassion Map it is placed in the Lotus Family (蓮華部), under the practice of Reverence and Affection (敬愛法).

One line to remember

若為一切善和眷屬者

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.