Originally Posted by
Taigu
Hi,
To cut a long story short, you may see Avalokitesvara as a single principle but that s not my understanding, and if I remember well the Dalai lama says he is just a plain and simple monk. The way I see and meet it is like the moon reflected in countless bowls, the dear tibetan leader is just like you, an ordinary guy and Kannon. Kannon doesn t abide anywhere, it is our own being manifested as compassion and 1000 daily actions. Kannon is also a listening ability, an open mindedness which can be experienced in every step of our life. Buddhas and Boddhistavas represents aspects of our being-life, you may want to find them in somebody special, but I am afraid that his will take you to the stage of burning incense and doing ceremonies. Dogen s Zen is not to pray Kannon, but to allow Kannon to be alive in our life, in people, situations, and things we meet.
But nothing stops us to study Buddhist culture, history and see things from the exoteric perspective, which pretty much means traditional religion.
I hope this helps
gassho
Taigu