Two Precious Scroll Narratives of Guanyin and Her ... - Khamkoo

208 Notes to Pages 66–82
or omniscience. The six supernatural powers are the instantaneous view of anything
anywhere, the ability to hear any sound anywhere, the ability to know the
thoughts of all other minds, the ability to know all former existences of self and
others, the power to be anywhere and do anything at will, and the consciousness
of the waning of vicious propensities. The term ‘‘three bodies’’ refers to
the threefold body or nature of the Buddha: the Buddha-body in its essential
nature; his body of bliss, which he received for his own enjoyment; and his
body of transformation, by which he can appear in any form. The four wisdoms
are the variously defined four forms of wisdom of the Buddha. Bodhi refers to
the superior wisdom leading to enlightenment.
48. Forbearance is one of the six bodhisattva perfections.
49. The gall is believed to be the seat of bravery.
50. An allusion to the parable of the burning house found in chapter 3 of
the Lotus Sutra.
51. The three pathways are the three lower forms of rebirths; the eight
dangers are the eight conditions in which it is difficult to see the Buddha or
hear the Dharma.
52. The production of silks and woolens involves the taking of lives (of
silkworms) or of hurting living beings (by robbing sheep of their fleece).
53. Tathāgata literally translates as ‘‘the thus come one.’’ One of the explanations
for this term is ‘‘one who comes as do all other buddhas,’’ and the term
is often used as a synonym for Buddha.
54. Brahma and Indra are the highest deities in the traditional Indian
pantheon.
55. Māra is the highest ruler of the realms of desire. In a famous episode in
the life of Śākyamuni, Māra tried to prevent him from achieving definitive enlightenment
by tempting him with all the pleasures of the world. When Māra’s
own efforts failed, his three daughters tried to seduce Śākyamuni with their
physical charms, also without success.
56. The Pure Land refers to the Western Paradise of Amitābha.
57. The Tuṡita Heaven is the abode of Maitreya, the buddha of the future.
58. The toad is yet another denizen of the moon.
59. ‘‘Ocean storehouse of the dragon palace’’ refers to the vast collection of
Mahayana sutras that was legendarily stored in the palace of the Dragon King
below the ocean and partially recovered by Nāgārjuna when he stayed there for
ninety days.
60. The cold palace is that section of the inner palace that houses women
who have fallen out of favor with the emperor.
61. Many Chinese stories include a scene in which a young maiden finds a
husband by throwing a ball into a crowd of suitors and marrying the one
who catches the ball, but there is no indication at all that this ever was social
practice.
62. The marks of a Buddha.
63. The simple dress of a layperson.
64. The Odes and the Documents are two of the Five Classics, which are
studied in Confucianism as the repositories of eternal norms.
65. The Buddhas of the past, present, and future.