Seeking W
The compassionate, kind and merciful
Recently I was introduced to an entity, originating far away from the soil of America, to the land that people call Asia, more specifically China. Even though many know the Divine Feminine through many names, Guan-shi Yin (GuanYin), is by far one of the more popular interpretations. The different names she bares in other cultures are too many to list here but is said to be able to take any form (male or female body) to help those who are suffering. However, the representation of a beautiful woman, dressed in a white robe holding a water jar sitting on a lotus is more common. In Chinese Buddhism, gender has no meaning when a soul is finding Enlightenment.
You might be asking yourself, why are we delving into this character? Well, if you know me there are many reasons some of the time and other moments, there is just one; pure intrigue. I find myself being purely intrigued, after being nudged by another being of Guan-Yin. She was described to me as the Divine Feminine, the “Goddess” of compassion, mercy and kindness. I had to know more.
Throughout my research, I have found that she is very highly respected in many cultures. Originating from India, GuanYin is synonymous with Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, the masculine form. In many different sources I have come across that in western Christianity the Virgin Mary represents compassion, love and mercy, just the same as GuanYin. As if they are one in the same just different depictions for different religions. Similar to the Holy Virgin Mary, GuanYin is like the patron saint of mothers. It is believed in some cultures GuanYin can bring children to mothers who ask.
In the world of Chinese Buddhism her name translates roughly into, “The observer of the sounds (and cries) of the (human) world.” Which brings me to one of the stories of the life of Guan-shi Yin, then known as Miao Shan. The story shares that Miao is the “daughter of a cruel father who wanted her to marry a wealthy but uncaring man... and her father is Prince Zhuang of Chu. Miao was shown to be a Buddhist adept at a young age, chanting sutras when old enough to speak. She begged to be able to enter a temple and become a nun rather than enter into a marriage. Her father allowed her to work in the temple, but asked the monks to give her very hard chores in order to discourage her. The monks forced Miao to work all day and all night, while others slept. It is said that she was such a good person that the animals living around the temple began to help her with her chores. Her father, seeing this, became so frustrated that he attempted to burn down the temple. Miao put out the fire with her bare hands and suffered no burns. Eventually she was murdered and made into the goddess GuanYin for all of her kindness, and began her journey to heaven. She was about to cross over into heaven when she heard a cry of suffering back on earth. She asked to be sent back and vowed to stay until all sufferings had ended.” (https:// www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/ Guan_Yin).
In all the stories that I have read one thing remains the same, GuanYin has never allowed herself to rest until she has freed all sentient beings from suffering, whether that be in uncertainty, despair, fear. Now, that is compassion. Maybe we should take a page out of her book and try to live more of a compassionate life ourselves.
onder
