Kuan Yin

Kuan Yin

Approx 6" tall

The "Bronze Collection"

Retail: $38

The 'Bronze Collection" of Buddha statuary are defiantly my favorites!

The exquisite tiny details, (on both front and back!) The subtle but artfully designed colors, and the serene facial expressions, put these Buddhas in a league of their own.

One of
the deities most frequently seen on altars in China's temples is Quan Yin (also spelled Kwan Yin, . In Sanskrit, her name is Padma-pâni, or "Born of the Lotus." Regarded by the Chinese as the goddess of mercy, she was originally male until the early part of the 12th century and has evolved since that time from her prototype, Avalokiteshvara, "the merciful lord of utter enlightment," an Indian bodhisattva who chose to remain on earth to bring relief to the suffering rather than enjoy for himself the ecstasies of Nirvana. One of the several stories surrounding Quan Yin is that she was a Buddhist who through great love and sacrifice during life, had earned the right to enter Nirvana after death. However, like Avlokiteshvara, while standing before the gates of Paradise she heard a cry of anguish from the earth below. Turning back to earth, she renounced her reward of bliss eternal but in its place found immortality in the hearts of the suffering. According to one ancient legend her name was Miao Shan, and she was the daughter of an Indian Prince. Youthful and serene, she chose to follow a path of self-sacrifice and virtue, and became a pious follower of Buddha, herself attaining the right to budddhahood but remaining on earth to help mankind.( www.holymtn.com)

This statue of Kuan Yin is more closely related to the male expression, Avalokiteshvara in comparison to the 'White Kuan Yin" shown below:

In this form she is sometimes called 'The Asian Mary'. The more feminine representation of Kuan Yin will usually contain a tiny image of Avalokiteshvara, in the center of her head adornment. If you look closely you'll see the tiny image in gold.

This Kuan Yin is approx. 12", resin and retails for $42

She is known as the Goddess of Compassion and Healing. Kuan Yin is the divine mother we all long for: merciful, tender, compassionate, loving, protecting, caring, healing, and wise. She quietly comes to the aid of her children everywhere. Her Mantra is: 'Om Mani Padme Hum' Listen to her Mantra @ www.circleof light.com.

There are many many stories and legends that tell of Kuan Yin's life. One of my favorite is the story of Kuan Yin and her father and how her heart remained pure and free of anger even though her father was very cruel to her. It was not so much about forgiveness but the transcendence of the emotion of anger. With this transcendence we become free to express our essential loving nature, and find compassion or understanding of the human condition of suffering that creates anger in the first place. This is an essential aspect of what Kuan teaches.

 It is said she is the most popular diety in the world, found in homes and temples across the globe regardless of culture, religious belief, or geographic region. She is known as the omnipresent Goddess available to all of humanity at all times. It is said when in time of great need call her name out loud three times and she will come to your aid:either quite dramatically, in my own experience, or sometimes quietly, in the form of awareness or inspiration of how to overcome a challege or difficuilty. 

There is a lovely book compiled and written by Marina Lighthouse, www.fengshuishopper.com The title is 'The Kuan Yin Oracle'. This book is exquisetely translated from the original 100 Kuan Yin Temple Poems. and acts as a oracle or divination guide. I often have it in stock at my shop or you can order it from her web site.

Feng Shui Thought:

When we practice Feng Shui and apply ritual adjustments to our environments, we repeat the Kuan Yin Mantra nine times, to emphasize our intentions. When we understand the teachings of Kuan Yin and apply them to our expression of personal chi, we invite pure, loving compassionate energy into our homes and work spaces. From these pure intentions of the heart, we create fertile ground for our dreams to flourish.

 Without this purity, we may confuse intention with greed or selfish desire for a particular outcome that is self serving. When we create intentions that consider 'for the good of all, we too, become like Kuan Yin in our behaviors and we attract positive energy into our lives that will support us in developing gratitude, compassion and a loving heart.

Tarot Thought:

In the Major Arcana of the Tarot we find the archetype of the 'High Priestess' card number three. She represents the Universal Principle of 'Compassion'. Because the High Priestess is also interested in healing the suffering of humanity, there may be a tendency for those of us who embody the aspects of the High Priestess, to become involved in intimate relationships that are truly challenging to our well-being on every level - sometimes dangerously so. 

She is committed to see, even the smallest glimmer of the essence of the good in everyone, and is convinced that love can truly heal the wounds of the suffering. We must keep in mind ,The 'High Priestess' can forget she is in human form, and can remain in the 'trenches' longer than most, even to the detriment of her own well being. Remember Kuan Yin is a Goddess, and we are human. So the important thing to remember is: practice compassion, but not 'Blind' Compassion. Keep safe in your romantic encounters and turn your compassion towards those who will truly benefit from your efforts!