The Origins of the Guanyin Spiritual Response Oracle

The Origins of the Guanyin Spiritual Response Oracle

When the great Dharma Master Xuanzang 玄奘 embarked on his arduous pilgrimage to retrieve rare Buddhist texts and scriptures from India, he frequently consulted the Guanyin Spiritual Response Oracle. For he relied on it to gain insight into the fortunes and dangers he would meet during each new day. In fact, it was Guanyin Bodhisattva who gave Xuanzang the dream that convinced him to begin the massive undertaking of retrieving and translating important Buddhist scriptures. To aid him, the Bodhisattva soon bestowed the Guanyin Spiritual Response Oracle onto him, along with instructions on how to use it.

At one point during his travels, he was almost killed and robbed by bandits, but he managed to escape unharmed because of this oracle. When he consulted it earlier that day, the Bodhisattva accurately warned him of the dangers he would face.

Therefore, we should not falsely consider this Dharma-door to be superstitious or against the Buddha's teachings. This method of divination is Guanyin Bodhisattva's gift to the world. As common people lack Dhyana Samadhi and transcendental powers, they are blind to the workings of their own karma. Driven by curiosity, many turn to fortune tellers or various methods of occult divination to know their future. This leads to various risks such as fraud, incorrect interpretations or possession by evil spirits and the like.

Therefore, out of compassion, Guanyin Bodhisattva bestowed the world with this oracle, so that everyone could benefit from his transcendental power of limitless foresight. Hence, whenever we are tormented by indecision, fears, or dilemmas, we should consult this oracle. If we happen to receive an inauspicious lot, we must diligently recite Guanyin Bodhisattva's name.

In Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra, it is stated that such mind fulness can smash through lust, stupidity, dangers, karmic obstacles and all the causes and conditions of misfortune. Moreover, sincere recitation of his name will also allow merits to speedily accrue, thereby changing misfortune into fortune.