Guan Shi
Yin Pusa 觀音
Guan Yin is one of the most well known
deities in Buddhist culture and tradition. She is known by varying names and
variations such as Guan Yim, Kuan Yim, Kwan Im, Kuan Yin, Kanzeon (in Japan), and
Gwan-eum (in Korea), to name a few.
But
what is the same in all, is that Guan Yin is seen as “the one who hears the
cries of the world” and Goddess of Compassion, Mercy and kindness.
Along
with Buddhism, Guan Yin was introduced into Chinese culture as early as the 1st
Century. However not only is Guan Yin known by many names but also in many
variations of body and form. Prior to
the Song Dynasty (~960-1279AD), Guan Yin was often depicted as male in form and
to be quite muscular and masculine in build.
However, from the Song Dynasty to the Ming (12th century),
Guan Yin was then known to be depicted in many forms both male and female. From
the Ming Dynasty onwards, Guan Yin is nearly purely described as female in
appearance. This change in appearance and variations of appearance could be linked
to what Guan Yin is said to do.
This
coincides with the Lotus Sutra, that “A Bodhisattva has the power to transform
the body in any form required to relieve suffering”
In
China, Guan Yin is interchangeable with the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (meaning
“enlightened Lord seeing down”) which is the height of Mercy, compassion,
kindness and love, and is nearly completely referred to as Guan Shi Yin Pu Sa.
Guan
Yin, as a true enlightened one earned the right to ascend to become a Buddha
and to leave this world of suffering to enter nirvana, a land of bliss. However
she preferred to forgo this and stay in this realm until all other sentient
creatures have completed their own enlightenment and thus liberated themselves
from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
As
mentioned, Guan Yin has many variations in the ways in which Guan Yin is
depicted. In the male version, Guan Yin was depicted by a muscular male wearing
a robe. Most commonly Guan Yin is
pictured as a female in a white flowing robe, wearing necklaces of Chinese
royalty. Usually, Guan Yin will be holding/pouring in one hand, a water jar
containing pure water to represent healing water and the water of life,
compassion and wisdom. The water jar is also one of the 8 Buddhist symbols of
good fortune. In Guan Yin’s other, usually a willow branch or a sheaf of rice
representing fertility, and the ability to bend and adapt but not break.
In
both male and female depictions, Guan Yin can be seen wearing the crown
depicting an image of Amitabha Buddha, Guan Yin’s spiritual teacher before her
enlightenment.
Some
additional things may also be present alongside Guan Yin. These include the
Dragon, an ancient symbol for high spirituality, wisdom, strength and divine
powers of transformation, which Guan Yin can be seen standing atop of. Also
Guan Yin can be seen accompanied by a bird, flanked by two children or guarded
by two warriors. Or simply Guan Yin can be seen sitting or standing on a pink
lotus, a sign of peace and harmony.
Another
well known depiction is Guan Yin with 1000 arms. In Guan Yin’s effort to hear
all the cries from the world, she realised that there were many cries going
unanswered. Due to this, trying to hear all her head spilt into a number of
pieces to which, Amitabha gave her 11 heads to hear all. However with this came
even greater suffering by not able to help all with only two hands. Due to Guan
Yin trying to help in every direction again, Guan Yin’s arms split into many
pieces which again, Amitabha came to her aid giving her 1000 arms to help many.
A
number of legends are also mention in the scriptures of Guan Yin’s presence and
aid to the beings of the world. These include Guan Yin and Shan Tsai and Guan
Yin and Lung Nue to name a few.
Shan
Tsai was a disabled boy from India who wanted to learn the Buddha Dharma, went
to the island of Pu-to and found Guan Yin. To test his will Guan Yin conjured
three sword willing people chasing Guan Yin to the edge of a cliff and over the
edge. Seeing this, the boy hobbled in aid and also went over the cliff to help.
While falling, Guan Yin stopped the boy mid fall and asked him to walk to find
he was no longer crippled and is mentioned as one of the two children that Guan
Yin is sometimes depicted with.
Sihing Zac
Emerald Dragon Martial Arts
