Many eons ago, Avalokiteshvara had a special bond with Tibet, and prophesised that in the future he would be able to subdue its barbarous inhabitants and lead them along the path to enlightenment. So strong was his compassionate motivation that he declared:
 
"Until I relieve all living things, may I never, even for a moment, feel like giving up the purpose of others for my own peace and happiness. If I should ever think about my own happiness, may my head be cracked into ten pieces ... and may my body be split into a thousand pieces, like the petals of a lotus."