| Sisters In Freya's Moon presents THE GODDESS KUAN YIN by Wren |
Kuan Yin is an Asian Goddess, although She is not considered a Goddess in the traditional
Buddhist sense, as there are no Goddesses in Buddhism. She is also known under the names
Quan Shih Yin, Guan Yin, and Kuan Shi Yin. Her name means “Regarding Sounds” which
means She hears the cries and prayers of the world.
She is considered a “folk” Goddess because she is so revered by the simple people of China,.
She cannot be referred to as a Buddha due to Her decision to refuse perfect enlightenment by
passing into Nirvana. Instead, Buddhists refer to Her as a celestial bodhisattva, the highest rank
because She stands as close to heaven as is possible. She is both powerful and popular in
China and has been honored for more than one thousand years in prayer and ritual.
She gained the love of Her people because of Her great devotion to us. Originally, she was born
here in human form, as a girl named Miao Shan. Miao Shan, daughter of a King, rebelled against
her Father’s wish for her to marry, for her desire was to become a Buddhist nun and spend all
day every day in prayer. Her Father became so angry that he confined her to a tower hoping to
break her stubborn ways. This action instead delighted her, as then she could devote all her
time to prayer. This angered her father so much that he ordered his soldiers to take her to the
forest and slay her.
Like every person in the household, they loved Miao Shan dearly, but feared her father more, so
they led her from the tower to the forest. As the soldiers drew their swords and readied
themselves to kill her, the largest tiger ever seen bound from the woods and, picking Miao Shan
up in his mouth, carried her to a cave deep in the woods, where he left her and then himself
disappeared.
As Miao Shan stood there, the cave dissolved without warning, and Miao Shan floated like a
feather in the wind to a dismal, dark place where spirits of the dead floated aimlessly, as they
were being held in bondage by the Keeper of the Dead, Yen Lo Wang. He held them hostage so
that they could not be reborn and work off the consequences of past misdeeds.
Miao Shan challenged the god in a loud voice. As he raised his hand to curse her, she calmly
began to pray, and the spirits of the dead drifted towards her radiance. The god of death knew
he had no power over the holy girl. As she blessed the spirits, they ascended upward and
disappeared to be reborn here on earth.
She then found herself back in her cave and began praying. She felt a light rising within her
body, and as it grew clearer and clearer the Buddha stepped from it, and held forth a peach. The
peach, she was told, would sustain her until she achieved her goal of perfect enlightenment.
When she had achieved her goal, however, and could step into the light leaving behind earth’s
miseries, she stopped. She remembered and could hear the cries of all those who still suffered.
She then vowed to remain on earth until every living thing was holy.
Buddhist sense, as there are no Goddesses in Buddhism. She is also known under the names
Quan Shih Yin, Guan Yin, and Kuan Shi Yin. Her name means “Regarding Sounds” which
means She hears the cries and prayers of the world.
She is considered a “folk” Goddess because she is so revered by the simple people of China,.
She cannot be referred to as a Buddha due to Her decision to refuse perfect enlightenment by
passing into Nirvana. Instead, Buddhists refer to Her as a celestial bodhisattva, the highest rank
because She stands as close to heaven as is possible. She is both powerful and popular in
China and has been honored for more than one thousand years in prayer and ritual.
She gained the love of Her people because of Her great devotion to us. Originally, she was born
here in human form, as a girl named Miao Shan. Miao Shan, daughter of a King, rebelled against
her Father’s wish for her to marry, for her desire was to become a Buddhist nun and spend all
day every day in prayer. Her Father became so angry that he confined her to a tower hoping to
break her stubborn ways. This action instead delighted her, as then she could devote all her
time to prayer. This angered her father so much that he ordered his soldiers to take her to the
forest and slay her.
Like every person in the household, they loved Miao Shan dearly, but feared her father more, so
they led her from the tower to the forest. As the soldiers drew their swords and readied
themselves to kill her, the largest tiger ever seen bound from the woods and, picking Miao Shan
up in his mouth, carried her to a cave deep in the woods, where he left her and then himself
disappeared.
As Miao Shan stood there, the cave dissolved without warning, and Miao Shan floated like a
feather in the wind to a dismal, dark place where spirits of the dead floated aimlessly, as they
were being held in bondage by the Keeper of the Dead, Yen Lo Wang. He held them hostage so
that they could not be reborn and work off the consequences of past misdeeds.
Miao Shan challenged the god in a loud voice. As he raised his hand to curse her, she calmly
began to pray, and the spirits of the dead drifted towards her radiance. The god of death knew
he had no power over the holy girl. As she blessed the spirits, they ascended upward and
disappeared to be reborn here on earth.
She then found herself back in her cave and began praying. She felt a light rising within her
body, and as it grew clearer and clearer the Buddha stepped from it, and held forth a peach. The
peach, she was told, would sustain her until she achieved her goal of perfect enlightenment.
When she had achieved her goal, however, and could step into the light leaving behind earth’s
miseries, she stopped. She remembered and could hear the cries of all those who still suffered.
She then vowed to remain on earth until every living thing was holy.
| Graphic Source; Web Site of Kuan Yin Association |
And thus she became the Compassionate Kuan Yin, sitting on Her island paradise, listening
and answering all prayers to Her.
The Lotus, Black tea and the Rainbow are all sacred to Kuan Yin. Her themes are children,
kindness, magic, health and fertility.
She gives her magical insight to those who ask. Her sacred duty is to relieve suffering and
encourage enlightenment among humans.
She is known to bring souls to children awaiting rebirth. Embroidered slippers placed at Her
shrines will produce pregnancy among sterile women. She rescues shipwrecked sailors and
brings the rains.
Kuan Yin’s Special Days
Kuan Yin’s birthday is held February 9th. The holy name of Kuan Yin is the greatest protection
we have against threats. Recognition of Her Goddess Light which shines through out creation,
is our greatest source of strength. The Goddess of Mercy is most active in the Spring, for that is
when Her people feel their losses most poignantly. In Chinese tradition, merely uttering Her
name is enough to attain salvation, for She is so merciful that no request goes unheeded, no
prayer unanswered.
and answering all prayers to Her.
The Lotus, Black tea and the Rainbow are all sacred to Kuan Yin. Her themes are children,
kindness, magic, health and fertility.
She gives her magical insight to those who ask. Her sacred duty is to relieve suffering and
encourage enlightenment among humans.
She is known to bring souls to children awaiting rebirth. Embroidered slippers placed at Her
shrines will produce pregnancy among sterile women. She rescues shipwrecked sailors and
brings the rains.
Kuan Yin’s Special Days
Kuan Yin’s birthday is held February 9th. The holy name of Kuan Yin is the greatest protection
we have against threats. Recognition of Her Goddess Light which shines through out creation,
is our greatest source of strength. The Goddess of Mercy is most active in the Spring, for that is
when Her people feel their losses most poignantly. In Chinese tradition, merely uttering Her
name is enough to attain salvation, for She is so merciful that no request goes unheeded, no
prayer unanswered.
| Graphic Source; Web Site of Kuan Yin Association |
Her sculptures often show Her carrying a vase that holds branches of the weeping willow. She
uses these sacred willow wands to shower droplets of mercy and precious healing water over
the earth.
We do not even need to articulate our precise needs, for just mentioning Her name draws Her to
us.
July 12th is just one of Her feast days. Although women in our society are and have been
encouraged to be “self-sacrificing”, we see the concept of sacrifice raised to a much higher plane.
Kuan Yin knows Her own power, and chose, due to Her loving kindness, to remain on this side
of heaven to assist others towards toward a spiritual goal. When we aid others out of our own
strength, we emulate Kuan Yin. When we fail to acknowledge our own strength and exhaust
ourselves for others, we have not met the spiritual challenges of a woman’s life.
October 14th is the celebrated anniversary of the trans - mutation of Miao Shan, Kuan Yin’s
human manifestation. She was trans - mutated into the kindly bodhisattva (someone who falls
between being a saint and a deity). Kuan Yin is the only woman called a bodhisattva, and is the
most beloved of them all.
Kuan Yin’s heart, the true center of being, is so profound that just one quality cannot describe it,
therefore Kuan Yin speaks of ten hearts and for each there is a mantra. Mantra is the key to
inviting Kuan Yin’s heart into ours, for it is considered a sacred sound. Buddhist scriptures state
that She won Her enlightenment through her sacred sense of hearing.
Kuan Yin’s Great Compassion Ritual by Isis
Each year on April 15th, it is the tradition to perform the Kuan Yin Compassion Ritual. The ritual
is as follows:- This ritual is worked traditionally with a low altar and one seated on ones heels
(though sitting cross legged will suffice). Set up your altar with a picture or statue of Kuan Yin,
the Mandala of Compassion (above), and either a stick or come of Lotus or Amber incense.
Bow 3 times to Kuan Yin
Offer one (or more) glass(es) of water which Kuan Yin will bless.
Invite Kuan Yin to come to you and appear.
Bring the palms of your hands together in the prayer mudra.
Recite the following—
“ May the Peace of Kuan Yin be upon this household
May the Light of Kuan Yin be in my soul
May the Wisdom of Kuan Yin be in my mind
May the Virtue and Purity of Kuan Yin be among the members of my household
May the Health and Well-Being of Kuan Yin be manifest through out my body,
And radiate through the garments I wear.
May the Grace of Kuan Yin be in my worship
May the Talents and Genius of Kuan Yin be manifest through my senses
May the Peace of Kuan Yin be upon me!”
Recite this mantra 10 times—
“Na Mo Kuan Yin Bodhisattva”.
Finally drink the water blessed by Kuan Yin.
This water now has healing powers.
Dedicate this practise of the Kuan Yin Great Compassion Mantra to the benefit and
enlightenment of all beings.
Close your shrine.
uses these sacred willow wands to shower droplets of mercy and precious healing water over
the earth.
We do not even need to articulate our precise needs, for just mentioning Her name draws Her to
us.
July 12th is just one of Her feast days. Although women in our society are and have been
encouraged to be “self-sacrificing”, we see the concept of sacrifice raised to a much higher plane.
Kuan Yin knows Her own power, and chose, due to Her loving kindness, to remain on this side
of heaven to assist others towards toward a spiritual goal. When we aid others out of our own
strength, we emulate Kuan Yin. When we fail to acknowledge our own strength and exhaust
ourselves for others, we have not met the spiritual challenges of a woman’s life.
October 14th is the celebrated anniversary of the trans - mutation of Miao Shan, Kuan Yin’s
human manifestation. She was trans - mutated into the kindly bodhisattva (someone who falls
between being a saint and a deity). Kuan Yin is the only woman called a bodhisattva, and is the
most beloved of them all.
Kuan Yin’s heart, the true center of being, is so profound that just one quality cannot describe it,
therefore Kuan Yin speaks of ten hearts and for each there is a mantra. Mantra is the key to
inviting Kuan Yin’s heart into ours, for it is considered a sacred sound. Buddhist scriptures state
that She won Her enlightenment through her sacred sense of hearing.
Kuan Yin’s Great Compassion Ritual by Isis
Each year on April 15th, it is the tradition to perform the Kuan Yin Compassion Ritual. The ritual
is as follows:- This ritual is worked traditionally with a low altar and one seated on ones heels
(though sitting cross legged will suffice). Set up your altar with a picture or statue of Kuan Yin,
the Mandala of Compassion (above), and either a stick or come of Lotus or Amber incense.
Bow 3 times to Kuan Yin
Offer one (or more) glass(es) of water which Kuan Yin will bless.
Invite Kuan Yin to come to you and appear.
Bring the palms of your hands together in the prayer mudra.
Recite the following—
“ May the Peace of Kuan Yin be upon this household
May the Light of Kuan Yin be in my soul
May the Wisdom of Kuan Yin be in my mind
May the Virtue and Purity of Kuan Yin be among the members of my household
May the Health and Well-Being of Kuan Yin be manifest through out my body,
And radiate through the garments I wear.
May the Grace of Kuan Yin be in my worship
May the Talents and Genius of Kuan Yin be manifest through my senses
May the Peace of Kuan Yin be upon me!”
Recite this mantra 10 times—
“Na Mo Kuan Yin Bodhisattva”.
Finally drink the water blessed by Kuan Yin.
This water now has healing powers.
Dedicate this practise of the Kuan Yin Great Compassion Mantra to the benefit and
enlightenment of all beings.
Close your shrine.
| Graphic Source; Web Site of Kuan Yin Association |
Soft voice Gracing my life Wisdom behind your gentle smile, Knowing me truly within your loving eyes. You chose me to awaken my compassion. I took off my armor Finally becoming me, Because of, with and for You. By Wren |
Sources used;
Web site of Kuan Yin Association
Sacred Texts
Patricia Monaghan, Goddess Companion
Patricia Monaghan, The Goddess Within
Patricia Telesco, 365 Goddesses
Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia of Folklore
and Mythology
Imitation of Kuan Yin, Finding Mercy with the
Goddess of Mercy, Dale Goodyear, 1996
| All Material Here Is The Intellectual Property of Wren Copyright 2004 |
| Graphic Source; Web Site of Kuan Yin Association |
| Graphic Source; Web Site of Kuan Yin Association |