Taiwanese cold-porcelain Guanyin statue, 5"

Wisdom, compassion, practice, and vow are the hallmarks of the four great Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism: Manjushri represents wisdom, Avalokiteshvara represents compassion, Samantabhadra represents practice, and Ksitigarbha represents vow.

Guanyin Bodhisattva: Extending filial piety and respect for teachers to boundless compassion for all sentient beings is a key meaning of Guanyin Bodhisattva's teachings. We should treat all sentient beings with kindness, good thoughts, and good deeds. Regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or social class, we should live in harmony, treat each other equally, respect each other, care for each other, and continue this practice without interruption.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva: "Ksitigarbha" represents the mind and "treasure." People possess immeasurable wisdom, virtue, and talent within their hearts. Filial piety towards parents and respect for teachers are the only ways to unlock this treasure. Therefore, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva embodies filial piety.

Manjushri Bodhisattva: Compassion and filial piety are both based on reason. One must not act on emotion, but rather with reason and rationality. Manjushri Bodhisattva represents reason and wisdom.

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva represents practice, filial piety, compassion, and wisdom. If these virtues cannot be put into practice in daily life and in our interactions with others, they become empty talk and lose their meaning. Therefore, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva teaches us the importance of practice and application so that we can fully implement the teachings of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and Manjushri Bodhisattva.