The sutra promotes the recitation of this mantra as a means to liberation. It states that whoever knows ("janati") the mantra will know liberation as a fully enlightened Buddha. It also states that initiation into the mantra by a qualified preceptor (which is said to be a lay "dharmabhanaka, vidyadhara or mahasiddha") is an important requirement for practicing this mantra. In the sutra, Avalokitesvara says that the mantra should not be given to one who has not seen the mandala. This initiation is said to be open to all Buddhists regardless of class and gender, whether they be of the Mahayana or Hinayana, but not to "tirthikas".