Creative Writing at The Haven - Goddesses 5

Guan Yin and the Asian tradition

Guanyin or Guan Yin is the bodhisattva associated with compassion as venerated by East Asian Buddhists, usually as a female. The name Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, which means "Observing the Sounds (or Cries) of the World".

It is generally accepted among East Asian adherents that Guanyin originated as the Sanskrit Avalokiteśvara (अवलोकितेश्वर).

Commonly known in English as the Mercy Goddess or Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin is also revered by Chinese Taoists (or Daoists) as an Immortal.

Guanyin and the Virgin Mary

Guanyin and child, similar to a Madonna and Child painting.

Some Buddhist and Christian observers have commented on the similarity between Guanyin and Mary of Christianity, the mother of Jesus Christ. This can be attributed to the representation of Guanyin holding a child in Chinese art and sculpture; it is believed that Guanyin is the patron saint of mothers and grants parents filial children. When the Tzu-Chi Foundation, a Taiwanese Buddhist organisation, noticed the similarity between this form of Guanyin and the Virgin Mary, the organisation commissioned a portrait of Guanyin and a baby that resembles the typical Roman Catholic Madonna and Child painting.

During the Edo Period in Japan, when Christianity was banned and punishable by death, some underground Christian groups venerated the Virgin Mary disguised as a statue of Kannon; such statues are known as Maria Kannon.  Many had a cross hidden in an inconspicuous location.

One story about  Kuan Yin tells that as a young girl she refused to marry the man of her father’s choice and he took violent revenge on her.  First he sent her to a women’s temple and ordered that she be treated cruelly.  When that didn’t work he had the temple burned down; she put out the flames with her bare hands and they did not burn because of her great compassion for her sisters in the temple.

Finally Kuan Yin’s father ordered that she be killed and after several failed attempts she was murdered and went to the kingdom of the Dead.  There she was so kind and compassionate to the other souls that the King of the Dead had her thrown out and she was sent back to this world and reunited with her body.  She is the goddess of pure compassion who will always listen and share the sorrows of her supplicants.

On a more secular note:

Poem No. 43  from the Kuan Yin Oracle

Meaning:  The Heaven and earth are full of great joys and harmony.

Comments:

You are in the days of glorious peace and joy.  You are in the place to enjoy the lighter and brighter side of life.  Bring harmony and beauty into your home.  Spread the kindness, generosity to those around you.

You get the kind of cooperation you were hoping for, and what once was a problem becomes a possibility.  Delightfully engaging activities make you feel loved and happy.

Tao Te Ching

No 49 

The Master has no mind of her own.

She works with the mind of the people.

She is good to people who are good.

She is also good to people who aren't good.

This is true goodness.

She trusts people who are trustworthy.

She also trusts people who aren't trustworthy.

This is true trust.

The Master's mind is like space.

People don't understand her.

They look to her and wait.

She treats them like her own children.