Kuan Yin the Mother Goddess of Buddhism

v>This Buddhist mother goddess is known by many
She is regarded as the Mother Goddess ofnames. She is "salvation from misery... the great
Compassion in China and other parts of Asia. mercy, great pity... salvation from anguish... thousand
Buddhist teachings tell how Kuan Yin rejected herarms and thousand eyes." She is also known as one
right to eternal bliss to protect man from hisof the Three Great Beings influence the realm of
suffering.nature and beast. Chinese Kuan Yin statues and
A popular idol in Chinese temples, the goddess Kuansculptures most often depict the goddess as a
Yin (also: Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Guan Yin) is regardedbeautiful woman in white, flowing robes . She is
as the goddess of mercy . Buddhist mythology tellsusually seen with a white hood over her head and
the story of Kuan Yin as a bodhisattva (enlightenedcarrying a vase of "holy dew." Other popular
being) who had earned the right to enter paradise,portrayals include statues of Kuan Yin holding a child,
but returned to earth to ease the suffering of man.Kuan Yin standing on dragon or Quan Yin clutching a
Rather than accepting her gift of never-endingrosary.
happiness, Kuan Yin assumed the role ofHer popularity has increased over the centuries and
compassionate protector of man. Kuan Yin wasshe is viewed as a protector of sailors, farmers and
initially depicted as a man, an Indian bodhisattva verythose who travel . Especially popular in South China,
similar to Avalokiteshvara whose story is identical.her blessings are believed to grant a child to a
The image of Quan Yin as a woman started aroundhopeful husband-and-wife. in Chinese culture she is a
the 12th century . Many scholars believe this is theparagon of beauty and those wishing to pay
influence of the Lotus Sutra which suggested thatcompliment to the parents of a young girl might refer
Avalokiteshvara could take any form required to endto her as a "Kuan Yin."
anguish and suffering . It was also believed that heTaoists have also introduced Kuan Yin into their
possessed the ability to grant children . These factorsreligion. Additionally, some modern new age
likely resulted in the depiction of Kuan Yin as amovements have included Kuan Yin in their teachings.
"mother goddess." The depiction of the goddess as aAs compassionate, female religious icons, Kuan Yin
female is further influenced by her role as a patronand the Virgin Mary have many similarities. During a
of women, nurturer and one who can end suffering.time in Japanese history when Christianity was for bid
Chinese Buddhists fully embraced this concept of thein, Japanese Christians used Quan Yin as a stand-in
female Kuan Yin, though some cultures view Kuanfor the Virgin Mary. She continues to be a popular
Yin as a man, both man and woman , or simply afigure around the world as a symbol of compassion
spiritual being.and caring.