{A beloved goddess who often graces the altars of Chinese temples, Kuan Yin (also: Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Guan Yin) is regarded as the goddess of mercy . Buddhist mythology suggests she was a bodhisattva (enlightened being) who renounced her right to enter through the Gates of Paradise, when the cries of anguish from those suffering on Earth prompted her to return . Forsaking her gift of eternal bliss , Kuan Yin became the compassionate protector of man. Kuan Yin was initially depicted as a man, an Indian bodhisattva very similar to Avalokiteshvara whose story is identical.
somewhere around the 12th century we begin to see art and scriptures that depict Kwan Yin as a goddess. This has been attributed to the writings in the scriptures of the Lotus Sutra which suggested that Avalokiteshvara could take any form required to end anguish and suffering . He also possessed the power to grant children to couples. This very likely caused artists of the time to depict the bodhisattva as a “mother goddess.” Her role as patron of women and bringer of comfort to the sick and suffering, further solidified the female imagery . Chinese Buddhists fully embraced this concept of the female Kuan Yin, though some cultures believe Kuan Yin to be both a man and a woman, or simply a spiritual being.
This Buddhist mother goddess is known by many names. From “the great mercy, great pity” to “salvation from anguish” to “thousand arms and thousand eyes” they names to describe her deep compassion are endless. She is also known as one of the Three Great Beings who possess powers over nature and the animals .Chinese Kuan Yin sculptures most often depict the goddess as a beautiful woman in white, flowing robes . Often she is seen with a white hood, seated in the “Kuan Yin Royal Ease” position or seated in a traditional Buddha pose. Other popular portrayals include statues of Kuan Yin holding a child, Kuan Yin standing on dragon or Quan Yin clutching a rosary.
Her popularity has increased over the centuries and she is viewed as a protector of sailors, farmers and those who travel . She is most revered in southern China where her blessings are believed to grant a child to a hopeful husband-and-wife. She is viewed as a standard of beauty in the Chinese culture and it is considered a great complement to describe a young girl as a “Kuan Yin.”
Like Buddhists, Taoists also introduced Kuan Yin into their religion. She is worshipped in the same manner and her various incarnations and disposition as the embodiment of compassionate are the same. Many have drawn a comparison between the Virgin Mary and Kuan Yin who share a common symbolism as compassionate souls . During the Edo period in Japan when Christianity was outlawed, many Christians worshipped the Virgin Mary in the guise of Kuan Yin statuary . She continues to be a popular figure around the world as a symbol of compassion and caring.}
Tags: kuan yin, kuan yin sculpture, kuan yin sculptures, kuan yin statue, kuan yin statues
[...] The Caring and Compassion of Kuan Yin « Test Blog for MyArticleNetwork [...]