An Introduction to Kuan Yin: Goddess of Compassion and Mercy
by Stefan Pasti | September 27, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Attached to this journal entry is a pdf titled “An Introduction to Kuan Yin: Goddess of Compassion and Mercy”.
Earlier this year, in a time of “exploring” to see where I might best focus my next efforts, I did some in depth research into the phenomena of the “appearance” of the goddess Kuan Yin.
I say “appearance” because initially, at the time Buddhism was first shared with the Chinese people [most likely during the second half of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E.—220 C. E.)], there was no goddess Kuan Yin. There was an Buddhist bodhisattva named Avalokitesvara, who was, and still is, one of the more widely revered bodhisattvas in mainstream Mahayana Buddhism—and this boddhisattva was depicted as a male deity. Then there were translators: “… master translator Kumarajiva (ca. 401-413)… together with his assistants, produced the definitive translations of most of the important Mahayana Sutras.” (from p. 17, in “Kuan Yin: The Chinese Transformation of Avalokitesvara” by Chun-fang Yu). And then: “(Initially)… Kuan-yin was perceived as masculine, and was so depicted in art prior to and during the T’ang (Dynasty) (618-907). However, by the early Sung (960-1279), around the eleventh century, some devotees saw Kuan-yin as a female deity, and new forms of feminine Kuan-yin images began to be created by Chinese artists. The feminine transformation of the bodhisattva probably reached its completion during the Yuan (1206-1368).” (from p. 6, in “Kuan Yin: The Chinese Transformation of Avalokitesvara” by Chun-fang Yu).
The most comprehensive research I found which detailed this transformation (from male Avalokitesvara to female Kuan Yin) is the above mentioned “Kuan Yin: The Chinese Transformation of Avalokitesvara” by Chung-fang Yu. A scholarly work, and not light reading; it provides much detail into the cultural activity which has resulted in the unique phenomena that Kuan Yin is, and it raises some interesting questions. And it can be partially viewed through google books….
However, from a more spiritual viewpoint—and at the same time from a more practical viewpoint, that of cultivating compassion, especially in times of very difficult challenges—the phenomena of Kuan Yin as a manifestation of divine attributes could possibly be a source of inspiration for some of the participants here at worldpulse.com. And a little over a week ago, I met someone who I thought might be an appropriate recipient for a silk wall hanging of Kuan Yin that I had… so I decided to compile the research notes I had into something of an introduction to Kuan Yin.
I have attached to this journal entry a pdf file titled “An Introduction to Kuan Yin: Goddess of Compassion and Mercy”. The file consists of 6 pages of notes, with the subtitled sections as follows: Some Thoughts About the Origin of Kuan Yin, The “Universal Gateway” Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, Kuan Yin is Adopted and Domesticated by Chinese Culture, “… she draws near to people, and people draw near to her….”, Concluding Comments.
Note: I found the silk wall hanging of Kuan Yin (currently my preferred depiction of Kuan Yin) at Feng Shui Designs (via the Internet). The actual silk piece is wonderfully fine art work, and a beautiful representation of a Goddess of Compassion—but it is more transparent than golden in the background, as in the version available for viewing at the Feng Shui Designs website, at http://www.fengshuidesigns.com/KYWILLOW-05.jpg
I hope this is helpful is some way to people connected with worldpulse.com
With Kind Regards,
Stefan Pasti
