In Buddhism, there are several major bodhisattvas: Great Wisdom Manjusri, Great Compassion Avalokitesvara, Great Activity Samantabhadra, and Great Vow Kshitigarbha. The bodhisattvas are not historical people, but archetypical energies common to each and every one of us. As Zen ancestor Tenkei Denson Zenji would often say “Avalokitesvara is your name.” These are our names - we practice to awaken these energies and qualities within ourselves. We simply keep enlarging our capacity to embody these energies and unique characteristics of serving.

- Wendy Egyoku Nakao Roshi