The 33 Transformation Bodies of Guanyin
I.Willow Leaf Guanyin
“This refers to the flexibility of the Bodhisattva to adept to the mind of Sentient beings, liken to willow leaves Swaying in the wind.”
Otherwise known as Bhaisajya-raja Avalokitesvara, who holds a vial of elixir in the left hand and a stalk of willow leaves in the right. The elixir can cure all their physical and spiritual illnesses. Devotees suffering from illnesses therefore pray especially to this manifestation, manifestation, so this is also another popular form in China and South East Asia.
II. Dragon Head Guanyin
"If there are those that can be Liberated by a Naga or Yaksa, the Bodhisattva will appear in these Forms to teach them the Dharma."
Who appears as a Naga or Yaksa. This form is sitting or standing on the back of a dragon flying through the clouds. They are all celestial or supernatural beings. But as the Dragon is the highest of all beasts, it can be compared to the might of Guanyin's powers.
III. Sutra Holding Guanyin
"If there are those that can be Liberated by a Sravaka, the Bodhisattva will appear in this Form to teach them the Dharma."
Who appears as a Sravaka. This form is seated on a rock with w ith a scroll in the right hand. A Sravaka is an enlightened disciple of the Buddha. As Sravakas attain enlightenment through listening to the Dharma, the Sutra is used as a symbol of teaching.
IV. Complete Hallow Guanyin
"If there are sentient beings punished By kings, about to meet their ends by Execution; by the power of invoking Avalokitesvara, the blade will shatter Into many pieces."
Who appears inside an all encompassing hallow of light. This form is seated on a rock with clasped palms. The blazing flames behind this form are a symbol of such strength.
V. Wander Jest Guanyin
"If there are sentinet beings p ursued B y evil men, and as a result fall off T he admantine mountain; by the Power of invoking Avalokitesvara, N ot a single hair on them will be In jured."
Who appears falling from the Admantine Mountain. This form is seated on rainbow colored clouds with one hand holding her Raised knee & the other supporting her body. The rainbow clouds are used as a symbol of such freedom of flight.
VI. White Robe Guanyin
"If there are those that can be Liberated by a Bhikku or Bhikkuni, The Bodhisattva will appear in these Forms to teach them the Dharma."
Who appears as a Bhikku or Bhikkuni. This form is seated in meditation on a rock wearing a white robe. It is the same as Pandaravasini Avalokitesvara of the Garbhadhatu Mandala. A Bhikku/Bhikkuni is an ordained disciple of the Buddha. White symbolises the pure undefiled heart of enlightenment - the bodhicitta. Incidentally this Guanyin is also called the "mother-form", as almost all Chinese depictions of Guanyin are modelled in this image.
VII. Lotus Seated Guanyin
"If there are those that can be Liberated by a Prince, the Bodhisattva Will appear in this form to teach them The Dharma."
Who appears as a Prince. This form wears a crown & is seated in a lotus pond with clasped palms. The exalted lotus seat represents his or her natural noblity.
VIII. Gush Seeing Guanyin
"If there are sentinet beings to be Harmed, by being pushed into a pit Of fire; by the power of invoking Avalokitesvara, the burning pit will Become a pond."
Who appears as transforming a burning pit into a pond. This form is seated on a cliff gazing at a distant waterfall. Thus it is also known as Waterfall Observing Guanyin. The gushing waters are used as a symbol of such salvation.
IX. Joy Giving Guanyin
“ Although sentinet beings are in Great trouble and distress, subjected T o endless cycles of suffering; but T hrough Avalokitesvara's wonderful W isdom, all worldly suffering can be Saved."
W ho appears like the sun in the sky. T his form sits beside a pond gazing at nearby lotuses, with one hand placed on her knee & the other on her cheek, as if in deep contemplat ion. S he constatly contemplates on how to relieve the suffering of sentient beings using her limitless wisdom, thus giving them true joy.
X. Fish Basket Guanyin
"I f sentinet beings meet with evil Raksas, poisonous nagas and other Demons; by the power of invoking Avalokitesvara, immediately none W ill dare to harm them."
W ho appears to save those running into evil raksas. T his form is standing on a great koi fish with crossed hands, sometimes holding a fish basket. T he great koi fish is a symbol of majesty that awes the raksas, nagas & demons into submission, & the basket is where they will be contained.
XI. Virtuous King Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be Liberated by Mahabrahma, the Bodhisattva will appear in this form to T each them the Dharma."
W ho appears as Mahabrahma. T his form sits in the lotus posture on a rock, holding a branch of willow leaves in the right hand & the left hand rests below his navel. M ahabrahma is the Primal Sentient Being & the Creator deity of the Hindu faith. A fter the Buddha appeared he has since become a guardian deity. He is Lord of the Realm of Form, thus extremely exalted in virtue. T his is comparable to the virtue of Guanyin, so this form is named Virtuous King.
XII. Water Moon Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be Liberated by a Pratyeka Buddha, the Bodhisattva will appear in this form to Teach them the Dharma."
W ho appears as a Pratyeka Buddha. T his form is standing on a lotus petal floating on water with clapsed palms, gazing at the Moon. I t is the same as Udakasri Avalokitesvara of the Garbhakosa Mandala. A Pratyeka Buddha is a silent saint who is enlightened from realizing the 12 Causal Links of Existence. T his Pratyeka Buddha form is shown to be able to realize the the truth of Dependent Origination by gazing at the Moon & observing its reflection in the water.
XIII. Single Petal Guanyin
"I f there are sentient beings washed Away by great waters, drifting H elplessly in the flood; by the Power of invoking Avalokitesvara, T hey will be able to reach shallow Areas."
Who appears as a Minister. T his form sits on a lotus petal floating on the water with one hand placed on his raised knee & the other supporting his body. T his form of Guanyin is venerated for his ability to drift anywhere to help victims of water disasters.
XIV. Blue Neck Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be liberated by A Buddha, the Bodhisattva will appear in T his form to teach them the Dharma." D harma."
Who appears as a Buddha. T his form is sitting on a rock with one hand placed on his raised knee & the other resting on another rock nearby. A vial with a willow branch is placed beside him. T his form is the same as Nilakantha Avalokitesvara in Vajrayana Buddhism. T his form is venerated for its ability to cure diseases, alleviate sins & lengthen lifespans by swallowing the defilements of sentient beings in to his throat, turning it dark. That is why Guanyin is sometimes called he with the blue neck.
XV. Majestic Virtue Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be Liberated by a Celestial Gener al, the Bodhisattva will appear in this form To teach them the Dharma."
Who appears as a Celestial General. This form is sitting on a rock gazing a t the water with one hand placed on the ground & the other holding a stalk of lotus. This form is venerated for its ability to command awe & respect among all sentient beings with his majestic powers.
XVI. Life Lengthening Guanyin
"I f there are sentient beings plagued B y curses & poisons, intending to C ause bodily harm; by the power of Invoking Avalokitesvara, they will be Returned to the original senders."
Who appears protected from harm by curses & poisons. T his form rests behind a rock with one hand placed on his cheek in contemplation & the other placed on the rock. S he wears a precious crown with Buddha Amitabha manifested above, & her body is a deep yellow color. T his form of Guanyin is venerated for she is able to protect sentient beings from harm by all curses & poisons, thus lengthening their lifespan.
XVII. All Treasures Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be Liberated by an Elder, the Bodhisattva will appear in this F orm to teach them the Dharma."
Who appears as an Elder. T his form is sitting on a coastal rock in contemplation with one hand placed on the ground & the other holding his raised left knee. T his form is venerated for its ability to protect sentient beings seeking treasures from harm if they ever meet with raksas in unknown lands.
XVIII. Rock Enclave Guanyin
"I f there are snakes & scorpians, Breathing out venom like smoky fire; B y the power of invoking Avalokitesvara, they will all go away Seeking this sound."
Who appears protected from snakes & scorpians. T his form sits meditating inside a rocky cave, gazing at the water. T his form of Guanyin is venerated for she is able to protect sentient beings from harm by all snakes, scorpians & their venom.
XIX. Tranquility Able Guanyin
"I f there are measureless sentient Beings going through from all kinds O f Suffering, who upon hearing the N ame of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, Sincerely call on him; the Bodhisattva W ill immediately answer their prayer And relieve them of all suffering."
Who appears in deep contemplation. T his form is leaning on a rock with both hands folded in front. T his form is venerated for its ability to give peace to sentient beings who become victims of disasters.
XX. Anuda Guanyin
"I f there are sentient beings castaway at Sea, at the mercy of water dragons, fish & demons; by the power of invoking Avalokitesvara, waves will not be able T o drown them."
Who appears protected from hostile denizens of the sea. T his form is sits on a rock with both hands placed on the raised left knee, gazing at a waterfall. T his form is venerated for its ability to protect sentient beings who become shipwreck victims lost at sea.
XXI. Amate Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be liberated B y Vaisramana, the Bodhisattva will A ppear in this form to teach them the Dharma."
Who appears as Celestial King Vaisramana. T his form is the same as the 4 armed Amate Avalokitesvara of the Garbhakosa. H e is sitting on a rock with both hands placed on the raised left knee, gazing out at sea. T his form is venerated for its ability to bestow fearlessness towards all sentient beings.
XXII. Leaf Cloaked Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be Liberated by Sakra, the Bodhisattva W ill appear in this form to teach T hem the Dharma."
W ho appears as Sakra, King of the Tavatimsa heaven, which is on the peak of Mount Sumeru. T his form is the same as Parnashabari Avalokitesvara of the Garbhakosa. H e is sitting in the lotus posture on a rock with both hands folded infront. T his form is venerated for its ability to protect sentient beings from various diseases, lengthening life & also to protect households.
XXIII. Colored Glaze Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be liberated by Isvaradeva, the Bodhisattva will appear in T his form to teach them the Dharma." D harma."
Who appears as Isvaradeva. Isvaradeva is Lord of the Paranirmita-vashavartin Heaven, the highest heaven in the Realm of Desire where he is considered the supreme deity. T his form is the same as Gandharaja Avalokitesvara of the Garbhakosa, Also known as High King Guanyin. H e is standing on a lotus petal floating on the water. In his hands is a incense burner made of colored glaze. T his form is venerated for its ability to protect sentient beings from many types of untimely death.
XXIV. Tara Guanyin
"I f there are sentient beings surrounded by H ostile bandits, each wielding a sword ready T o Slay; by the power of invoking Avalokitesvara, they will immediately T urn merciful."
Who appears protected from hostile bandits. T his form is the same as Bodhisattva Tara of the Garbhakosa. A s we know Tara means 'eye' or 'deliverer'. H e is standing on a cloud floating in the sky. T his form is venerated for its ability to protect sentient beings from being harmed by vicious bandits.
XXV. Clam Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be liberated by a Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva will appear as H imself to teach them the Dharma."
Who appears who appears as a Bodhisattva. T his form seats in meditation behind a giant clam. T his form originated from the legends among China's coastal fishermen. H e is venerated by them for its ability to protect them on their fishing trips out to sea.
XXVI. Six Period Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be liberated by An Upasaka, the Bodhisattva will appear In this form to teach them the Dharma."
Who appears who appears as an Upasaka (Layman). T his form stands on a rock holding a Sutra text in his right hand. T his form is so called because it constantly radiates compassion towards all sentient beings, throughout the six 2-hourly periods of both day & night.
XXVII. Universal Compassion Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be liberated by M ahesvara, the Bodhisattva will appear in this form To teach them the Dharma."
Who appears who appears as Mahesvara. M ahesvara is originally Shiva of the Hindu faith, but after being converted by the Buddha he has since become a guardian deity. H e is also thought to be the highest deity in the Realm of Form, thus very exalted in power & virtue. T his form stands on a mountain top with both hands crossed & concealed in his robes. T his form is so called because its universal & equal compassion is able to benefit all sentient beings, just as the power & virtue of Mahevsara is known by all.
XXVIII. Lady Ma Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be Liberated by a Lady, the Bodhisattva W ill appear in this form to teach T hem the Dharma."
Who appears who appears as a Lady. T his form stands with both hands crossed infront, & is garbed in a celestial dress. During the reign of Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty, in the year 817 AD this form appeared in the Shanyou district to convert the populac e there. T he people of Shanyou are fond of hunting & archery, & have never heard of the Dharma.
Thus the Bodhisattva appeared as a beautiful lady & enticed the men to ask for her hand, but on the condition that they can memorize 3 Mahayana Sutra texts. S o after 3 rounds of competition only a young man of the Ma family could memorize all the texts. S o she married this young man, only to die the next day. A few days after she was buried an old monk appeared, asking that the grave be lifted. I n it they found that only a golden collar bone remained. T he old monk then revealed to them that this lady is actually a manifestation of Guanyin, who took pity on the people here & t hus came to teach them. A s he finished his words the old monk simply vanished. F rom then on the populace of Shanyou mostly became devout Buddhists.
XXIX. Clasped Palms Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be liberated by a Brahmin, the Bodhisattva will appear in this form T o teach them the Dharma."
Who appears as a Brahmin. B rahmins are people of the priest caste, thus having the highest standing in Indian society. T his form stands on a lotus with both palms clasped in salute. Although this form is of noble caste, but it is free from egoistic pride, humbly saluting all sentinet beings as future Buddhas.
XXX. Oneness Guanyin
"I f there thunderous clouds spitting s pitting Bolts of lightning, dropping hailstones And showering great rain; by the Power of invoking Avalokitesvara, T hey will all disperse in due time."
Who appears in control of storms. T his form sits on a lotus seat on top of a floating storm cloud, with both hands placed on her raised left knee. T his form is venerated for its ability to protect sentient beings from disasterous storms.
XXXI. Non-dual Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be liberated B y a Vajra Holder, the Bodhisattva will A ppear in this form to teach them the Dharma."
Who appears as a Vajra Holder (guardian deity). T his form stands on a lotus leaf floating on the water, with both hands lowered & crossed infront. T his form is venerated for its ability to protect all Buddhas from unwholesome forces. N on-dual refers to the nature of the Bodhisattva's fierce & peaceful manifestations.
XXXII. Lotus Holding Guanyin
"I f there are those that can be liberated by a Boy or Girl Child, the Bodhisattva will A ppear in this form to teach them the Dharma."
W ho appears as a Boy/Girl Child. T his form, who wears a crown, is the same as Bodhisattva Padmapani of the Garbhakosa. I t stands on a floating lotus leaf, with both hands holding a long stalk of 2 lotuses, one bloomed & the other half-bloomed. I t symbolizes the fully enlightened mind together with the mind journeying towards enlightenment. enlightenment. A s we may know, this lotus is a symbol of the Bodhisattva's fundamental fundamental vow.
XXXIII. Water Sprinkling Guanyin
f there are sentient beings washed away by "I Great waters, drifting helplessly in the flood; B y the power of invoking Avalokitesvara, they W ill be able to reach shallow areas."
Who appears controlling the flood waters. I t stands on a rock holding a bowl in the left hand & sprinkling water from it with a willow stalk in the right hand. T his is exactly the same as Single Petal Guanyin. Likewise, this form is venerated for its ability to save victims of water disasters.
