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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!”
“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.
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
1. Web site of Kuan Yin Association
2. Sacred Texts
3. Patricia Monaghan, Goddess Companion
4. Patricia Monaghan, The Goddess Within
5. Patricia Telesco, 365 Goddesses
6. Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia of Folklore
and Mythology
7. Imitation of Kuan Yin, Finding Mercy with the
Goddess of Mercy, Dale Goodyear, 1996
ALL GRAPHICS FROM WEB SITE OF KUAN YIN ASSOCIATION