What Is the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara

What is the Bodhisattva of Perfect Observation? Bodhisattvas can be divided into two types: true Bodhisattvas and provisional Bodhisattvas. The true Bodhisattva refers to the Tathagatagarbha mind-essence, which is without birth or cessation. It ceaselessly and meticulously attends to the Bodhisattva's five-aggregate body without interruption. The other type is the Bodhisattva possessing a five-aggregate body subject to birth and cessation.

Freedom (自在) is also of two kinds. One is the inherent freedom of the Tathagatagarbha itself, which exists independently without relying on any dharmas, needing nothing, neither born nor ceasing. The other is the freedom of the five-aggregate body, which can only be free when the five aggregates attain liberation; without liberation, it is not free.

This Bodhisattva with a five-aggregate body, the Bodhisattva of Perfect Observation, possesses profound concentration and wisdom. He is able to freely observe and contemplate profound principles according to his mind—this is freedom. He can observe his own true mind essence at all times and in all places—this is freedom, with the prerequisite being that he has realized the true mind, enabling him to conduct deep and meticulous observation. This Bodhisattva is able to observe his own true mind essence—how it functions, how it operates in conjunction with the five aggregates to produce all dharmas—and is also able to observe how the true minds of sentient beings in the other six realms function, how they manifest, and how they interact with the five aggregates—this is freedom.

This Bodhisattva's mind is free—able to remain unbound by the five aggregates and all dharmas, without craving or attachment to all dharmas, with a mind able to transcend all dharmas, not clinging to any dharmas—this is freedom. This Bodhisattva is also able to observe that the true minds of all sentient beings inherently exist, not produced by any external condition, able to exist independently without relying on any external condition. The true mind is inherently free. When the deluded mind does not attach to appearances and does not cling, remaining untainted by all dharmas, it is also free.

Upon attaining this level of freedom, the Bodhisattva's five-aggregate body can freely come and go throughout the buddha-lands of the ten directions. All physical forms can manifest according to conditions—this is freedom, and it is incomparably free. To manifest a great thousand-world system freely, without deliberate effort or exertion—how supremely free this is! The prerequisite is that one must realize this free mind—the eighth consciousness, the Alaya-vijnana. This Bodhisattva can manifest immeasurable spiritual powers, appearing in whatever form is suitable to liberate beings and teach them the Dharma accordingly. He can freely manifest physical forms of the Four Holy Realms and Six Ordinary Realms—this is great freedom. The prerequisite is that one must deeply practice Prajnaparamita, realize profound Prajna wisdom, and attain a mind of perfect freedom.