| Quan Yin is the Chinese translation for the Indian | | | | and loving kindness she represents is common to all |
| Sanskrit name of Avalokiteshvara, one of the four | | | | Buddhist philosophies. In Buddhist tradition, Quan Yin |
| great Bodhisattvas (true enlightened ones) of | | | | vowed to stay in the earthly realms to help |
| Buddhism. The original Sanskrit name means "He who | | | | everyone, until they have all completed their cycle of |
| looks upon the world with compassion". The Chinese | | | | birth-death-rebirth, and found enlightenment. It is why |
| name means "One who hears the cries of the world". | | | | she is also beloved as a mother figure, for she has |
| In India, Avalokiteshvara is portrayed as being male. | | | | decided to stay in the earthly realms to help as a |
| Some statues to him have many heads, many arms | | | | mother would with her children. Her role has been |
| and hands with an eye in each palm. This represents | | | | compared to that of the Virgin Mary, mother of |
| his ability to hear and see anyone that needs help, | | | | Jesus. |
| and his ability with his many hands to help. | | | | Folk beliefs in some areas of China believe that she |
| Since the Tang Dynasty in China (618-907 AD), Quan | | | | has her own sacred place, a mountain called Putuo |
| Yin is most often portrayed as female, perhaps | | | | Mountain, in Zhejaing province. There are many |
| because compassion and loving kindness are | | | | legends of her that tell of the miracles she performs, |
| traditionally feminine traits in China. She is represented | | | | miracles that convey the idea of a truly enlightened |
| in many different ways. Sometimes pouring a stream | | | | being that consists of an all inclusive, unwavering |
| of water from a vase, representing the healing | | | | compassion and loving kindness given freely to |
| power of loving kindness that she gives to all. Other | | | | everyone. She hears the cries of everyone and can |
| times holding a sheaf of wheat or rice, representing | | | | appear in any form whenever and wherever a being |
| fertility. Very often she is accompanied by dragons, | | | | needs help. |
| an ancient symbol of spirituality, wisdom and virtue. | | | | The meditations to Quan Yin by Buddhists are simple. |
| She has also been portrayed with an infant in her | | | | A focus on treating everything with loving kindness, |
| arms or on her lap. As in India, she is also portrayed | | | | of being compassionate and helping all that are in |
| on occasion with many arms, hands and heads. | | | | need, are the Quin Yin truths. To meditate on the |
| Quan Yin is but one way to spell her name. She is | | | | positive attributes of compassion for all, treating all |
| also known as Kuan Yin, Guan Yin, Kannon, and many | | | | with genuine loving kindness, can transform anyone |
| others. While the names are varied, the compassion | | | | into it, and bring more peace into the world. |