Kuan Yin

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Kuan Yin "She Who Hears the Cries of the World"

T

herefore should the mind be constantly fixed on her ~~ Lotus Sutra

Many years ago, before I had heard the name of Kuan Yin, I walked through a doorway and felt this Kuan Yin gazing down at me and it took my breath away. I sat down on the wooden bench in front of her for some length of time, not wanting to leave this enchanted presence. I watched as people came into the room and saw them experience the same reverence that I had at once felt. Even small children hushed their chatter as they entered her presence and could not take their eyes away from her.

In the following years, I have returned to this place of magic many times. It never loses it's power over me.

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The Kuan Yin Chronicles: The Myths and Prophecies of the Chinese Goddess of Compassion 

The Kuan Yin Chronicles: The Myths and Prophecies of the Chinese Goddess of Compassion

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Seated In The Posture Of Royal Ease 

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he Bodhisattva Guanyin, the Chinese Buddhist deity of compassion and mercy, here is seated in the posture of royal ease on a simulated outcropping of craggy, perforated rock. The position of the Guanyin, one leg in pendant, conveys the impression that the Bodhisavatta might at any moment rise from a state of deep contemplation and step down from the carved lotus rest. The Bodhisavatta's worldly ornaments,such as the high tiara and rich necklaces in sumptuous detail, contrast with the more plain image of the Buddha, whose markings indicate his ethereal status. The soft skin and contour, charm of bearing and beguiling smile create an aura of femininity.  

 

Guanyin of the Southern Sea (Nanhai Guanyin)

 

A

mong Buddhist statues exhibited in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, is this 11th/12th-century C.E. polychrome wooden Avalokiteshvara, Seated Gaunyin Bodhisattva, internationally heralded as the finest sculpture of its kind outside China.

To see closeup details of this statue, click on the interactive photo here:
Seated Gaunyin Bodhisattva



D

etails:
11th-12th century Chinese
Wood with paint
95 x 65 inches (241.3 x 165.1 cm)

Location:
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri
Gallery 230

 

Guanyin of Moon and Water 

Shuiyue Guanyin

T


he concept of the Shuiyue Guanyin arose from the eminent Tang poet Bai Juyi's poem "Ode to the portrait of Shuiyue Guanyin" expressing his devotion for the "Moon's reflection in Water form of Guanyin" (Shuiyue Guanyin).


The poem reads as follows:

Floating in water,
Clean and pure,
As if hiding
In the white light.
When I set my sight
All egos are vanishing.
Your disciple Bai Juyi
With devotion under your feet.
You are my cynosure
Life after life forever.
Find Out More About Guanyin of Moon and Water
Shuiyue Guanyin

Who is Kwan Yin? 

From Sandy Boucher

She is, first of all, the pre-eminent goddess in all of Asia. You find her in China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand and other countries. Then, in the Buddhist tradition, she is the Celestial Bodhisattva of Compassion.

W

hat is a bodhisattva? That is someone who does spiritual practice with the goal of achieving full enlightenment, but just before she arrives at that point, she turns back into the world and says, "No, I will not achieve liberation until all beings have been set free." Then she steps into the world and works to alleviate suffering and to awaken beings to their true nature.



One of the most interesting elements of Kwan Yin's story is how she transformed from a male figure into a female one. She was brought to China in the fifth century as the male bodhisattva Avalokitesvara; in the next three hundred years she mysteriously transformed into the female Guan Shih Yin or Kwan Yin. How did that happen! Well, she came into the world embodied in actual flesh-and-blood women. There would be a child who was particularly kind and sweetly accepting, she would grow into a compassionate woman who did many good deeds for others; sometimes she would even sacrifice her life to save others. Then, after her death, through various magical signs, it would be understood that this had not been an ordinary woman but was a sacred being, the goddess Kwan Yin. Many stories in China relate this history, and that is why there are so many different forms of the Chinese Kwan Yin or Guan Shih Yin.

 

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Kuan Yin the Universal Mother. 

Kuan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is shown here in the aspect of Universal Mother.

When a child plays on her lap, or children at her feet, they symbolize not only newborn and /or spiritual life, but also Mother Nature whose mysterious powers continually produce, sustain, destroy and renew life throughout the universe.

In China, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is represented in female form and is known as Kuan Yin. Probably because of Kuan Yin's great compassion, a quality which is traditionally considered feminine, most of the bodhisattva's statues in China since the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618 - 907) have appeared as female figures. In India, however, the bodhisattva is generally represented as a male figure.

Daily Meditation 

365 Buddha: Daily Meditations

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Read More About Kwan Yin 

K

uan Shih Yin - Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva

The Bodhisattva of Great Compassion

The Sanskrit name "Avalokiteshvara" means "the lord who looks upon the world with compassion".

Translated into Chinese, the name is "Kuan Shih Yin"or Quan Yin.

Kuan: observe
Shih: the world / the region of sufferers
Yin: all the sounds of the world, in particular, the crying sounds of beings, verbal or mental, seeking help

Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is the embodiment of great compassion. He has vowed to free all sentient beings from suffering.



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What is your interest in Kwan Yin? 

Actually, anyone can be like Kuan Yin. You may say that you don't have a thousand eyes or a thousand arms or that you lack skilful means, but it is your compassion that can transform you into a Kuan Yin. With your eyes and hands, you can help others. With your compassion, you can bring peace and tranquility to this world.

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Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva 

Flickr photos by JasonDGreat

Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva 

In Buddhist art, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is sometimes shown with eleven heads, 1000 hands and eyes on the palms of each hand (Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva). The thousand eyes allow the bodhisattva to see the sufferings of sentient beings, and the thousand hands allow her to reach out to help them.

Sometimes, he is represented with one head and 4 arms. This is the Four-Armed Avalokiteshvara, worshipped by all Tibetans as "Chenrezig", the Holder of the White Lotus. It is in the male form which has two hands in the praying gesture while the other two hands hold his symbols, the Crystal Rosary and the Lotus Flower.

Thousand-Hand Guan Yin Video - Amazing 

As long as you are kind and there is love in your heart A thousand hands will naturally come to your aid As long as you are kind and there is love in your heart You will reach out with a thousand hands to help others .Guan Yin is the bodhisattva of compassion, revered by Buddhists as the Goddess of Mercy. Her name is short for Guan Shi Yin. Guan means to observe, watch, or monitor; Shi means the world; Yin means sounds, specifically sounds of those who suffer. Thus, Guan Yin is a compassionate being who watches for, and responds to, the people in the world who cry out for help.

Thousand-Hand Guan Yin

Runtime: 5:55 | 8224806 views | 1877 Comments

 

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Kuan Yin Images 

I

n her hands, Kuan Yin may hold a willow branch, a vase with water or occasionally, a lotus flower.

The willow branch is used to heal people's illnesses or bring fulfillment to their requests.

The water ( the dew of compassion) has the quality of removing suffering, purifying the defilements of our body, speech and mind, and lengthening life.

 

Kwan Yin - Metropolitan Museum of Art by palindrome6996

Kwan Yin - Metropoli...

A thousanded armed Kuan Yin, store window, Hong Kong, 1990 by Wonderlane

A thousanded armed K...

The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara Kuan-Yin Performing a Water Miracle by ZeePack

The Bodhisattva Aval...

Quan Yin by stephcarter

Quan Yin

Kek Lok Si by moniquz

Kek Lok Si

Kuan Yin by SuziJane

Kuan Yin

Kuan-Yin-Kannon-Buddha-Tooth-Relic-Temple-Singapore by bernardoh

Kuan-Yin-Kannon-Budd...

kwan-yin by vince42

kwan-yin

see anything? Please tell me by Lohb is away.

see anything? Please...

Joss Sticks at Kuan Yin Temple by amanderson2

Joss Sticks at Kuan...

Goddess Of Mercy in the clouds with those merciful eyes... by Ben's Optic

Goddess Of Mercy in...

Guan Yin by BotheredByBees

Guan Yin

bodhisattva of compassion by BotheredByBees

bodhisattva of compa...

Kuan Lin by BotheredByBees

Kuan Lin

Thousand Hands and Eyes Avalokitesvara by JasonDGreat

Thousand Hands and E...

Kuan Yin by SuziJane

Kuan Yin

Guan Yin , Kanzeon (観世音), Avalokiteśvara by miheco

Guan Yin , Kanzeon (...

Guan Yin in winter, Bellevue by Wade Rockett

Guan Yin in winter,...

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Mantra of Kwan Yin 

The Mantra of Universal Protection

OM MANI PADME HUM
OM MAH-NEE Pud-MAY HOOM

Om - The jewel in the lotus
Hum - Hail [to the jewel in the lotus]

Kwan Yin - Popular Folk Goddess 

Flickr Photo by BotheredByBees'

T

hough often associated with Buddhism, he/she is not confined to one religion. Statues of her can be found in many homes, for while she is a Buddhist embodiment of the highest spiritual attainment, Kwan Yin also enjoys the wide popularity of a folk goddess.

She is most often depicted in feminine form, but there are also sculptures and paintings of Quan Yin in masculine form. She is similar to Avalokiteshvara and Chenrezig, Buddhist deities of compassion.

The History of Kwan Yin 

The "creation of Goddess of mercy" symbolic of maternal love and infinite compassion can be traced to the 5th century and not as late as 11th or 12th centuries as made out by many scholars. The encyclopedic Fayuan zhulin which was compiled in 668 mentions that Guanyin manifested himself in feminine form in AD 479 to rescue his devotee Peng Zujiao from chains. There was another instance when that Bodhisattva had manifested himself in the female form to heal the "dissolute and emaciated Northern Qi emperor Wen Cheng (reigning 561-65 AD). With the translation of the Cundi devi dharani sutra in the seventh century, the feminine aspect of Guanyin in the form of Cundi-Avalokitesvara (chun tie-guanyin), "mother of seven kotis of Buddhas" was established in China.
The Creation of the Goddess
The Creation of the Goddess - Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara/Guanyin occupies a unique place in the Mahayana Buddhist pantheon. Buddhist sutras speak of several bodhisattvas but it is Avalokitesvara/Guanyin who is revered and adored by followers of both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism and by all art lovers. He/she has acquired a status equal to the Buddha and sometimes his importance surpasses even the Buddha's. The Westerners know the deity as the Chinese goddess of love and compassion. If Buddhism has been the greatest contribution of India to world religions, the transformation of Indian Avalokitesvara to Guanyin-the Goddess of Mercy -is the creation and contribution of China to the Buddhist world. Despite three major setbacks suffered by Buddhism in Chinese history, the symbol of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy however had continued to prosper and flourish and has rightly been called the "cult of half Asia"

Daily Meditations 

The Buddha's Book of Daily Meditations: A Year of Wisdom, Compassion, and Happiness

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Guanyin Statue of Hainan 

Flickr photo by lensmaster drs2biz

The Guanyin Statue of Hainan, also known as Guan Yin of the South Sea of Sanya, is a 108 metre tall statue of the bodhisattva Guan Yin, sited on the south coast of China's island province Hainan in the Nanshan Culture Tourism Zone near the Nanshan Temple west of Sanya. This is currently the fourth tallest statue in the world.

This aspect of the statue depicts Guanyin cradling a sutra in the left hand and gesturing the Vitarka Mudra with the right...

 

For more information on this statue of Guanyin and the Park, click this link:

Opening the Lotus: A Woman's Guide to Buddhism 

Opening the Lotus: A Woman's Guide to Buddhism

Amazon Price: $12.24 (as of 11/28/2009)Buy Now

Images of Kannon 

K

uan Yin [Quan Yin, Guanyin], more appropriately known as Kuan-shih-yin, is one of the most revered masters of Asia, the god [goddess] of compassion. The people of Japan know her as Kannon and in Tibet the people pray to her a Chenrezi. Her name has been translated to mean "one who regards looks on, or hears the sounds of the world."

 

Ofuna Kannon by kanjitard

Ofuna Kannon

Kuan-Yin-Kannon-Buddha-Tooth-Relic-Temple-Singapore by bernardoh

Kuan-Yin-Kannon-Budd...

Tying up unlucky fortunes in Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji), Tokyo by danobrienmuzyka

Tying up unlucky for...

Dressed up statues Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji), Tokyo by danobrienmuzyka

Dressed up statues A...

Lanterns along promenade to Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji), Tokyo by danobrienmuzyka

Lanterns along prome...

Entrance to Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji), Tokyo by danobrienmuzyka

Entrance to Asakusa...

Promenade toward Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji), Tokyo by danobrienmuzyka

Promenade toward Asa...

Unlucky fortunes tied up Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji), Tokyo by danobrienmuzyka

Unlucky fortunes tie...

Lightning god at Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji), Tokyo by danobrienmuzyka

Lightning god at Asa...

In front of Akasuka Kannon Temple (Senso-ji), Tokyo by danobrienmuzyka

In front of Akasuka...

First gate to Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji), Tokyo by danobrienmuzyka

First gate to Asakus...

Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji) under construction, Tokyo by danobrienmuzyka

Asakusa Kannon Templ...

Inside Asakusa Kannon Temple (Senso-ji) with our new Japanese friends, Tokyo by danobrienmuzyka

Inside Asakusa Kanno...

Kannon with child by panina.anna

Kannon with child

Kannon in Inage Kaihin-koen by malfet_

Kannon in Inage Kaih...

Sensō-ji by jennikate

Sensō-ji

kannon by panina.anna

kannon

I love lanterns by gardenprophet

I love lanterns

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Guanyin Gifts 

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Other Sites About Kuan Yin 

Asian Art Forums - Detail List
Asian Art Forums Message Old Kuanyin or Kannon ( China & Japan ) Apr 07, 2006
KUAN-YIN LINEAGE OF REIKI, Origins and Meaning.
Official Site KuanYin Reiki (TM)
KUAN-YIN Lineage of Reiki EssentialReiki is Light and Harmony within and through all planes of being/reality. Origins of hands-on healing practices go back to the beginnings of spiritual culture, across most traditions: Egypt, India, Greece,
*** Quan Yin Virtual Altar ***
B le s s Y o u, Q u a n Y i n!
This page is a Virtual Altar dedicated to Quan Yin, Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. It serves to both honor Quan Yin and, as we believe she brought us together, to commemorate our marriage. In bringing us together Quan Yin has saved both our lifes,
Meeting Kwan Yin by Sandy Boucher (SpirituallyFit.com)
Meeting Kwan Yin from Opening the Lotus: A Woman’s Guide to Spirituality by Sandy Boucher On First Meeting the Celestial Bodhisattva of Compassion, Kwan Yin

Teachings Of The Lotus Sutra 

I

f any is carried away by a flood, call upon her name, they will immediately reach the shallows . . . or if anyone cries who is in deadly peril by the sword, the sword will be snapped asunder. If wicked demons attach, the one who cries will become invisible to them ..." - from the Lotus Sutra.



S

akyamuni Buddha confirmed Kuan Yin's vow: "If a suffering being hears the name of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and earnestly calls out to the bodhisattva, Avalokitesvara will hear the call and redeem that being from his suffering" ("Universal Gateway," Lotus Sutra).

Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 

A

ll The benefits of the Lotus Sutra can be realized by chanting the six syllables

Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo one is able to reveal the state of Buddhahood in one's life, experienced as the natural development of joy, increased vitality, courage, wisdom and compassion.

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
The title of the Lotus Sutra.

 

Blog Posts about Kuan Yin 

Restoran Sayur-sayuran Kuan Yin
The trusted and reliable Kuan Yin Vegetarian Restaurant in Section 17, Petaling Jayastill the best bet for a vegetarian meal only that I noticed that their prices have increased but consolation is their quality of food has maintained. ...
Organic Certification
... will come around all the time and ask them probing questions about synthetic chemical inputs. Definitely check out their websites if you're curious about the whole organic certification process. Elizabeth, Teahouse Kuan Yin Staff.
Kuan Yin Gets Literal : Fennario's Oracles
I had another flat the next day, a couple of neighbors had flats ? it was weird. Never made it where I wanted to go, either. Tried to go someplace closer with some friends and that didn't even gel properly! Kuan Yin was absolutely right ...

Kuan Yin From Wikipedia 

Guanyin (, Japanese: Kannon, Korean: Gwan-eum) is the bodhisattva associated with compassion as venerated by East Asian Buddhists, usually as a female. The name Guanyin is short for 'Guanshiyin' (???, pinyin: gu?nshì y?n, Wade-Giles: kuan-shih yin) which means "Observing the Sounds (or Cries) of the World".

It is generally accepted (in Chinese community) that Guanyin originated as the Sanskrit Avalokite?vara'' (????????????), which is her male form. Commonly known in the West as the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin is also revered by Chinese Taoists as an Immortal. However, in Taoist mythology, Guan Yin has other origination stories which are not directly related to Avalokite?vara.

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