In the "Belief in Kannon" thread, Admin_PC sent me this academic article about the historical origin of Avalokitesvara:
http://www.indologica.com/volumes/vol13 ... HANDRA.pdf
On page 10, this is written:
"Transcendence leads to change in nomenclature. Shakyamuni was flanked by Brahma and Sakra. But when Shakyamuni became Amitabha, the attendant acolytes changed names: Brahma became Avalokitasvara and Sakra became Mahasthamaprapta."
So is Avalokitesvara really just another form of Brahma? Do any Buddhist sutras give evidence to support this scholar's conclusion?
Is Avalokitesvara really Brahma?
Re: Is Avalokitesvara really Brahma?
Considering Hinduism, Brahma is the creative aspect of divinity. Sometime it can also make a reference to Brahman which is absolute trascnendance, above all manifestation.
Chenrezig is the compassion of all the Buddha.
Considering this, i would not say they are identical. Still, to the eyes of the wise, they are one while being different.
Chenrezig is the compassion of all the Buddha.
Considering this, i would not say they are identical. Still, to the eyes of the wise, they are one while being different.
Re: Is Avalokitesvara really Brahma?
The iconography of Avalokitesvara and some forms of Siva are very similar, but this is the first time I have heard him being compared to Brahma.
"My religion is not deceiving myself."
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde
Jetsun Milarepa 1052-1135 CE
"Butchers, prostitutes, those guilty of the five most heinous crimes, outcasts, the underprivileged: all are utterly the substance of existence and nothing other than total bliss."
The Supreme Source - The Kunjed Gyalpo
The Fundamental Tantra of Dzogchen Semde