The Eleven-Faced Kannon of the Jibutsudō
The Jibutsudō Honored Image: the Eleven-Faced Kannon
In the Jibutsudō of Byōdōji, the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva is enshrined. While the principal image of the main hall is Yakushi Nyorai, it is this Eleven-Faced Kannon who, as the honored image of the Jibutsudō, draws near to our daily prayers.
This Eleven-Faced Kannon of the Jibutsudō is a standing image carved from a single block of wood (ichiboku-zukuri). It bears eleven faces upon the crown and holds a lotus and a water vase; by temple tradition, it was already enshrined here by the time of Kōbō Daishi's pilgrimage.
At Byōdōji, devotion to Yakushi Nyorai and devotion to Kannon overlap. The temple title "Iō-in," derived from "Iō Zenzei," an alternative name of the principal image Yakushi Nyorai, and the temple title "Nikkō-in," connected to the radiant light of the Eleven-Faced Kannon. These two temple titles convey to this day that both Yakushi and Kannon live within the prayers of Byōdōji.
About the Statue
It is told that one morning, as the consecrated water was about to be drawn, sunlight reflected on the surface of the water and brightly illuminated the temple interior. This great light was received as the form of the Eleven-Faced Kannon, and so the Eleven-Faced Kannon was enshrined as the honored image of the abbot's quarters. The scene of that founding moment, of white sacred water and morning light, remains in the temple title "Nikkō-in."
The origins of the principal image Yakushi Nyorai are told in detail in the article "The Principal Image: Yakushi Nyorai," and the path Byōdōji has walked is told in "The History of Byōdōji."
What Is the Eleven-Faced Kannon
The Eleven-Faced Kannon bears eleven faces upon the crown of the head, turning toward every direction to watch over and save people from suffering.
The eleven faces each bear a different expression: a face of compassion, a face of wrath, a face baring fangs, a face laughing greatly, and atop them all the face of a Buddha. For those who rejoice, the Kannon rejoices together with them; toward those who do evil, the Kannon corrects them with wrath; and responding to suffering in every direction, the Kannon changes form to save. This activity is expressed in the form of the eleven faces.
Originally, "Eleven-Faced" was the name of the heart mantra (hṛdaya) chanted by Kannon. The great compassionate activity embodied in that heart mantra, reaching out in every direction to save all sentient beings, came in time to be expressed as a form bearing eleven faces.
The Eleven-Faced Kannon Disaster-Averting Goma on the 18th of Each Month
The ennichi (sacred connection day) of Kannon is the 18th. At Byōdōji, in keeping with this Kannon ennichi, we hold the "Eleven-Faced Kannon disaster-averting goma" before the Eleven-Faced Kannon on the night of the 18th of each month.
Sokusai (disaster-averting) means to calm illness, calamity, and obstruction, and to pray for peaceful days. Looking up to the great compassionate activity of the Eleven-Faced Kannon, we place wishes for freedom from illness, recovery from sickness, and protection from misfortune upon the flames of the goma and deliver them. You may also apply online.
The Mantra to Chant
When you join your palms before the Eleven-Faced Kannon, chant the following mantra.
oṃ mahā-kāruṇika svāhā
oṃ mahā-kāruṇika svāhā
This mantra takes refuge in the great compassion of Kannon, saying "O great compassionate one." It derives from the words praising Kannon as the "great compassionate one" (莫訶迦嚧尼迦) in the root sutra. It is the most widely chanted mantra for the Eleven-Faced Kannon.
The heart mantra named "Eleven Faces" (the long mantra) expounded in the sutras, and another mantra, "oṃ lokeśvara hrīḥ," are introduced in the explanatory article "What Is the Eleven-Faced Kannon."
Frequently Asked Questions
Read Together With This
Articles to deepen your understanding of the Eleven-Faced Kannon and the prayers of Byōdōji.
Reading
What Is the Eleven-Faced Kannon
A reading piece explaining the origins of the Eleven-Faced Kannon, the meaning of the eleven faces, the ten benefits, and more, together with quotations from the original sources.
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Dharma Service
The Eleven-Faced Kannon Disaster-Averting Goma on the 18th of Each Month
An explanation of the disaster-averting goma held on the night of the Kannon ennichi, along with guidance for applying online.
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Getting to Know Byōdōji
The Principal Image: Yakushi Nyorai
The principal image of Byōdōji, Yakushi Nyorai, said to have been carved by Kōbō Daishi himself. We introduce its origins and the prayers offered to it.
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Getting to Know Byōdōji
The History of Byōdōji
From its founding to the present, we trace the path Byōdōji has walked and the origins of its temple name, mountain name, and temple title.
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