Kuan Yin -Spiritual Goddess
Kuan Yin, also spelled Quan Yin, is known as the Mother of Compassion. She is the Spiritual Goddess of healing and protector of childbirth- go to Quan Yin -Protector And Healer Of Women. In addition, her symbols are the nectar vase and lotus flower. In Daniela Schenker's book, Kuan Yin- Accessing the Power of the Divine Feminine, she writes that the nectar vase represents healing and compassion, and the lotus flower, "a symbol of purity and enlightenment."
Legend states that on the verge of entering the gates of Nirvana-the final threshold of enlightenment, Quan Yin was profoundly moved by the shouts and cries of humanity. Instead of entering Nirvana, she vowed to stay in the earthly realms and assist human beings in attaining their liberation from the karmic bondage of suffering. But where did Quan Yin originated from? Literatures indicate that she originated from India as Avalokitesvara in male form. Later on, Daniela Schenker states, "the male Avalokitesvara was transformed into a female figure in China." In addition, the name was changed to Quan Yin- "one who contemplates the sounds of the world." In Wikipedia, it is written that, "Avalokitesvara was originally depicted as Buddha when he was still a prince, and therefore wears chest-revealing clothing...in China, Quan Yin is usually depicted as a woman...some people believe that Quan Yin is neither man or woman." Although there are many images of Quan Yin, one of the most famous is Quan Yin and the thousand arms.
Legends state that Quan Yin, who vows to never rest until all beings have been liberated, realizes that the number of suffering beings is massive and boundless. Despite her strenuous effort, the mission is overwhelming. Finding herself unable to fulfill the numerous demands, her head explodes into eleven pieces. According to Daniela Schenker, Amitabha, the spiritual father of Avalokitesvara/Quan Yin, "swiftly comes to the aid...transforms each fragment into an entire head...twenty-two eyes with which to identify suffering and eleven brains to find the best remedy to liberate all being!" With twenty-two eyes and eleven brains she continues her mission. Soon, she discovers that more is needed. In her continuous endeavor to ameliorate the suffering of humanity, Avalokitesvara/Quan Yin's two arms shattered into pieces. Once again, Amitabha Buddha comes to her aid and provides her with a thousand arms to better assist the needy. Another legend I find to be of great interest is Miao Shan-the embodiment of Quan Yin-Spiritual Goddess.
Miao Shan was the daughter of a wicked and greedy King. In an effort to expand his fortune, the King arranged a marriage alliance between Miao and a wealth and powerful man. When he commanded her to marry the man, she agreed to obey only if the marriage, "eased three misfortunes." According to Wikipedia, "the first misfortune that marriage should ease was the suffering people endure when they age... second... when they fall ill," and, "third...caused by death." Infuriated by his daughter's statement and refusal to marry, the King condemned her to do strenuous labor. She was sent to live in a monastery where she was given the most backbreaking chores. She never complained, and performed her chores lovingly. Everything she did flourished. The King became frustrated and ordered to burn down the monastery with everyone inside. When Miao Shan realized that the monastery was on fire, Daniela Schenker writes, "...she pierced her tongue with a hairpin-soon blood began to shoot from it. This summoned heavy storm clouds, and it started to rain." Immediately, the fire ceased and everyone was saved. By now, the King was livid and wanted his daughter dead. He ordered her to be executed, but to no avail. Every weapon used against her was useless, for they failed to do the job. In Wikipedia, it states that the axe and sword used to carry out the task, "shattered into a thousand pieces." According to Daniela Schenker, "suddenly, the air became very still, and a huge white tiger appeared. He grasped Miao Shan and then bounded away with a single giant leap." It is said that the supernatural tiger took her to hell where she met the demon, Yama. While there she encountered suffering souls crying out for mercy. As she began to shower them with love and compassion, the suffering souls began liberating themselves. The mere presence of Miao Shan in hell, "turned it into a paradise." Yama, recognizing that Miao Shan did not belong in hell, released her and gave her a, "peach of longevity as a gift."
Upon returning to earth, Miao Shan went to Putuo Shan, an island located in the southeast of Shanghai, China. She remained there, "in deep meditation for many years." Miao Shan, during deep meditation, had a vision of her father being gravely ill. According to the legend, a Monk appeared and told the King that he could cure him, "by making a medicine out of the arm and eye of one without anger." Furthermore, the Monk said that such a person lived on the island of Putuo Shan. The King ordered a messenger to go to Putuo Shan and retrieve the items needed for his cure. Soon after taking the medicine, the King was cured. In gratitude for the service given to him by the compassionate and unselfish being, the King decided to visit the cave where the divine being lived. Daniela Schenker writes that when the King and Queen entered the cave, "they discovered that this miraculous being was their daughter, Miao Shan. The cave was bathed in brilliant light as Miao Shan transformed into her sacred manifestation with a thousand eyes and arms and floated away." The King, in gratitude and reverence, built a shrine where he was reunited with his daughter- now called Fragrant Mountain.
The temple consisted of numerous rooms of worship. In the courtyard was an enclosed area devoted to Quan Yin. Upon entering, I was welcomed by two colossal statues of Quan Yin. The presence of the two statues, one thousand arms Quan Yin and Quan Yin covered in a silk robe, was transcendent. The Spiritual Goddess was spectacular.
THE BLESSING OF BELOVED QUAN YIN May the peace of God be upon this household! May the love of God be in your hearts! May the light of God be in your souls! May the wisdom of God be in your mind! May the virtue and purity of God be in your feelings! May the strength and vitality of God be among the members of your household! May the health and well being of God be manifest through the bodies, the garments which you wear! May the grace of God be in your action! May the talents and genius of God be manifest through your senses! May the fullness of the victory of your own God plan be manifest through your souls at the close of your earth life! Call unto me and I will answer thee! Author unknown.
QUAN YIN- SPIRITUAL GODDESS, hear my prayer. On this day, GIVE me the strength and health to continue my mission on this earthly plane. TEACH me to be compassionate to others without wanting anything in return. PROTECT me from all those who wish to do me harm. HELP me to reach the right path to enlightenment. FILL me with your divine energy now and always...Composed by me. For all individuals who claim that they don't know how to pray, I simply say- if I can do it, so can you. Remember, prayer comes from the heart. All you need to do is express what you feel inside. Quan Yin is always listening to those who pray to her. Start by saying her name, and the rest will follow.
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