Kwan Yin
Kwan Yin
The Legend of Kwan Yin
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Kwan Yin
Kwan Yin, also know as Kuan Yin or Quan Yin, is known as the Goddess of Compassion,
Mercy and Healing. She is one of the more popular Goddesses in all of Asia.
In Chinese, Kwan Yin roughly translates as
"The one who hears the cries of the world".
She is often pictured sitting or standing on a lotus blossom, which is
a symbol of Buddhist purity. Statues of Kwan Yin can be found in front of, or within the grounds of, many Buddhist
temples.
Her mantra is "Om Mani Padme Hum". This is the six syllabled mantra of the bodhisattva of compassion.
Om = Bliss/pride
Ma = Jealousy/lust for entertainment
Ni = Passion/desire
Pe = Stupidity/prejudice
Me = Poverty/possessiveness
Hung = Aggression/hatred
Bodhisattva is translated as "An enlightened being who, out of compassion, foregoes nirvana in order to
save others".
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The Legend of Kwan Yin
There are many legends regarding the origin of Kwan
Yin, however, this is the most popular version.
In China during the 7th century, a King had three beautiful
daughters, the youngest of which was named Miao-Shan.
During the birth of Miao-Shan, the earth was said to have
trembled and beautiful flowers grew. Some local people said they saw signs of incarnation on her body.
They
were shocked dismayed by this spiritual blessing, as both the King and Queen were corrupt and saw little appeal in a child who appeared pure and kind.
When Miao-Shan came of age, the King wanted to find a husband for her. However, she told her father
that she would only marry for the good of all mankind.
The King was furious when he heard that she was devoted to helping other people, so both the King
and Queen used her as a slave. She was punished by the King, Queen and her two sisters, but to no
avail.
The King could take no more and shipped Miao-Shan off to a monastery, she could then pursue her
religious calling. She was forced to tend to the garden and kitchen, also to collect wood and water.
They thought this an impossible task as the land surrounding the monastery was barren. To everyones
amazement, the garden filled with beautiful blooms, even in the winter. A spring welled from nowhere
outside of the kitchen.
These miracles infuriated the King, as the nuns were supposed to have tormented her, so he decided
he was going to kill Miao-Shan. He chose a loyal follower to carry out the deed. However, as he
arrived at the monastery, a spirit came out of the fog and carried Miao-Shan to safety on a remote
island. She lived peacefully here for many years, pursuing a life of religious dedication.
Several years after, the King became seriously ill. He could not eat or sleep and the royal doctors
diagnosed that he would die very soon. On his death bed, a monk came to visit him. The monk told
the King that he could be cured of his illness. To enable the monk to carry out this task, he would
have to grind the arms and eyes of a person free from hatred so he can make the medicine. The monk
told him of a Bodhisattva living on the King's land who would gladly give the ingredients needed to
complete the medicine.
A representative of the King was sent the island and made the request to Miao-Shan. She gladly cut
out her eyes and severed her arms. The representative returned and the monk continued to make the
medicine. The King instantly became well again. The King thanked the monk, who immediately told him
that he should thank the one who gave her eyes and arms.
The King, Queen and their two daughters set off to thank the unknown bodhisattva. When the family
arrived on the island they realised that the mystery person was their daughter.
Miao-Shan said
"Mindful of my father's love, I have repaid him with my eyes and arms".
The family's hearts filled with shame and their eyes filled with tears. They gathered to hug Miao-Shan
and as they did so, clouds formed around them. The earth trembled and flowers began to rain down
along with thousands of eyes and arms which hovered in the air. As the clouds cleared, the
bodhisattva was gone.
To honour Miao-Shan, the royal family built a shrine on the land where the miracle had occurred. It is
known as Fragrant Mountain.
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