Kuan Yin Sculptures

[A beloved goddess who often graces the altars of Chinese temples, | A popular idol in Chinese temples, the goddess] Kuan Yin (also: Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Guan Yin) [is regarded as the goddess of mercy | considered to be the goddess of mercy | thought of as the goddess of mercy]. [Legend | Buddhism's stories | Buddhist lore | Buddhist mythology] [suggests she was a | tells the story of Kuan Yin as a] bodhisattva (enlightened being) [who renounced her right to enter through the Gates of Paradise, when the cries of anguish from those suffering on Earth prompted her to return | who had earned the right to enter paradise, but returned to earth to ease the suffering of man]. [Forsaking her gift of eternal bliss | Rather than accepting her gift of never-ending happiness], [she instead |Kuan Yin] [assumed the role of | became the] compassionate protector of man. [It's believed that Kuan Yin originated as a male archetype patterned after Avalokiteshvara | Kuan Yin was initially depicted as a man, an Indian bodhisattva very similar to Avalokiteshvara] whose story is identical.

[The image of Quan Yin as a woman started around the 12th century | somewhere around the 12th century we begin to see art and scriptures that depict Kwan Yin as a goddess]. [This has been attributed to the writings in the scriptures of the Lotus Sutra | Many scholars believe this is the influence of the Lotus Sutra] [which suggested that | as it suggests] Avalokiteshvara [could take any form required to end anguish and suffering | was a shape shifter who could take on any guise required to end suffering and anguish]. [It was also believed that he possessed the ability to grant children | He also possessed the power to grant children to couples]. [This very likely caused artists of the time to depict the bodhisattva as a "mother goddess." | These factors likely resulted in the depiction of Kuan Yin as a "mother goddess."] [Her role as patron of women and bringer of comfort to the sick and suffering, further solidified the female imagery | The depiction of the goddess as a female is further influenced by her role as a patron of women, nurturer and one who can end suffering]. [This female representation became the popular notion in China | Chinese Buddhists fully embraced this concept of the female Kuan Yin], though some cultures [believe Kuan Yin to be | view Kuan Yin as] [a man, both man and woman | both a man and a woman], or simply a spiritual being.

[Kwan Yin is known by many different names | This Buddhist mother goddess is known by many names]. [She is "salvation from misery... the great mercy, great pity... salvation from anguish... thousand arms and thousand eyes."|From “the great mercy, great pity” to “salvation from anguish” to “thousand arms and thousand eyes” they names to describe her deep compassion are endless.] [Along with Manjusri and Samatabhadra she is one of the Three Great Beings | She is also known as one of the Three Great Beings] [who possess powers over nature and the animals | influence the realm of nature and beast]. [Kuan Yin statues and sculptures in China | Chinese Kuan Yin statues and sculptures] [most often depict the goddess as a beautiful woman in white, flowing robes | portray the mother goddess as the pinnacle of beauty in white flowing robes]. [She is usually seen with a white hood over her head and carrying a vase of "holy dew." | Often she is seen with a white hood, seated in the "Kuan Yin Royal Ease" position or seated in a traditional Buddha pose.] Other popular portrayals include statues of Kuan Yin holding a child, Kuan Yin standing on dragon or Quan Yin clutching a rosary.

[Her popularity has increased over the centuries and she is viewed as a protector of sailors, farmers and those who travel | Over time her popularity has increased and she has come to be seen as a protector of sailors, farmers and travelers]. [Especially popular in South China, | She is most revered in southern China where] [she is worshipped at temples with the belief that she has the power to grant a family a son or beautiful daughter | her blessings are believed to grant a child to a hopeful husband-and-wife]. [She is viewed as a standard of beauty in the Chinese culture | in Chinese culture she is a paragon of beauty] and [those wishing to pay compliment to the parents of a young girl might refer to her | it is considered a great complement to describe a young girl] as a “Kuan Yin.”

[Like Buddhists, Taoists | Taoists have] also [incorporated | introduced] Kuan Yin into their religion. [She is worshipped in the same manner and her various incarnations and disposition as the embodiment of compassionate are the same. | Additionally, some modern new age movements have included Kuan Yin in their teachings.] [Many have drawn a comparison between the Virgin Mary and Kuan Yin who share a common symbolism as compassionate souls | As compassionate, female religious icons, Kuan Yin and the Virgin Mary have many similarities]. [During the Edo period in Japan when Christianity was outlawed, many Christians worshipped the Virgin Mary in the guise of Kuan Yin statuary | During a time in Japanese history when Christianity was for bid in, Japanese Christians used Quan Yin as a stand-in for the Virgin Mary]. [Kwan Yin continues to be a popular religious icon around the world and a symbol for caring and compassion. | She continues to be a popular figure around the world as a symbol of compassion and caring.]