Kannon (bodhisattva)
Shūhō Kannon
衆宝観音
This Kannon is listed as one of the Thirty-three Kannon. These Thirty-three Kannon are a set of images that express Kannon's salvation in a variety of forms. They do not correspond one by one, under the same names, to the thirty-three manifestations (ōgenshin) in the sutra.
This introduction is based on materials published by shrines, temples, and schools, starting with Shōhōin. It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
The name and role of Shūhō Kannon
This Kannon is listed as one of the Thirty-three Kannon. Shūhō Kannon is said to save people from the peril of rasetsu (demons), and shūhō is described as meaning "many treasures."
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Tracing the form and traditions
A teaching is introduced that if even one person prays, others are saved as well.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Kannon's compassion, saving in changing forms
The images of the Thirty-three Kannon are named after the thirty-three manifestations, in which Kannon changes form to save each person according to their needs. However, the thirty-three names in this list, such as Yōryū Kannon and Suigetsu Kannon, are not identified one by one with the thirty-three manifestations given in the sutra. Various beliefs and pictorial traditions of India, China, and Japan overlap in them.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・浅草寺
Iconographic sources that hand down the thirty-three forms
Shōhōin introduces this set based on the Butsuzō Zui, published in the Edo period. The names express things such as the objects held, the place where the figure is, gestures, and the work of salvation. Some have individual origins told about them, while others center on the form and name, so not every figure necessarily has its own story or particular wish associated with it.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Compassion that hears suffering and leads to peace
Sensōji explains Kannon as a buddha who takes in people's voices, removes their suffering, and gives them peace. Turning one's heart to salvation from hardship is the entrance to understanding faith in Kannon. This is an explanation of the compassion common to Kannon, not a list that assigns a specific benefit to each of the thirty-three images.
Source: 浅草寺
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：衆宝観音」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：三十三観音」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 浅草寺「浅草寺のご本尊」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 龍雲山 太興院「太興院の仏さま：十六羅漢・観音（接賓）」（2026-10-16 確認）