Guanyin says that her items are "free" to those willing to accept her help. This means that if a person has faith, they will easily be able to recognize and use her items. On the other hand, if a person suffers and yet does not call upon her, it will be very difficult for that person to use or even recognize Guanyin's items. Guanyin says that her items are expensive for such a person, because that person may have to experience much more suffering in their lifetime than someone with a greater storehouse of karmic faith will experience.
