觀世之音

觀音菩薩善能觀察世間一切音聲，使眾生斷除苦惱、獲得安樂，因此稱為「觀世音(Avalokiteshvara)」。漢譯常見有「觀音」、「觀世音」、「觀自在」等不同名稱。拔苦與樂的慈悲心行，即是觀音信仰重要的思想核心。

記述觀音菩薩應身濟世的《法華經》，自西晉竺法護法師（239-316）譯出，又經後秦鳩摩羅什法師（344-413）重譯，更加典雅暢達，在中國廣為流傳。經中稱，至心稱念觀音菩薩名號，得免除災難、滿足願求，因此觀音菩薩很快地為人所供奉，至南北朝（420-589）已非常普遍。

其後，經過歷代譯經、傳統文化的融合與信仰者的祈願，形塑出信仰的樣貌。人們隨著自身的祈願，參照經典、儀軌的描述，或吸取民間流傳的故事為養分，創造出多變的觀音菩薩像，使信仰內涵豐富而生動。

Listening to the sounds of the world

Guanyin Bodhisattva is said to be capable of hearing all of the sounds in the entire world, in addition to being able to put an end to countless beings’ suffering and deliver them unto peace and happiness. It is for this reason that her Sanskrit name is “Avalokiteshvara,” which means “The One Who Listens to the Sounds of the World.” Common translations of Avalokiteshvara into Chinese include Guanyin, as well as “Guanshiyin” and “Guanzizai.” The core tenets of faith in Guanyin are her compassionate mindset and activities, which motivate the elimination of suffering and the bestowal of happiness.

The Lotus Sūtra (Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra), which records that Guanyin manifests on earth in order to benefit all beings, was translated into Chinese by the Buddhist monk Dharmarakṣa (239-316 CE) of the Western Jin dynasty. This sutra spread widely throughout China after it was later retranslated by the Buddhist monk Kumārajīva (344-413 CE), who produced a version that was more elegant and accessible to readers. According to this sutra, one can avert disasters and fulfill wishes by single-mindedly and sincerely reciting Bodhisattva Guanyin’s name. Kumārajīva’s translation helped worship of Guanyin to spread quickly, such that by the time of the Northern and Southern dynasties (420-589 CE) faith in this bodhisattva was already extremely widespread.

Centuries of sutra translation, blending of traditional cultures, and believers’ own religious activities allowed a unique faith in Guanyin to gradually take shape. Generations of believers prayed, read sutras, and drew upon descriptions of rituals while absorbing inspiration from popular folktales. As they did so, they created all manner of visual depictions of Guanyin Bodhisattva to enrich their faith.