WHO IS THE BODHISATTVA KWAN YIN?
A bodhisattva or bosatsu (Japanese) is a being who has reached enlightenment but before ascending into Nirvana guides those who are suffering to a place of wholeness and enlightenment, it also refers to someone on a path to spiritual awakening. Kwan Yin or Kannon (Japanese) is the bodhisattva of mercy and compassion. She was first referenced in the Lotus Sutra (406 C.E.) roughly 1600 years ago, however she may have been worshiped even before then. She has been worshipped all over the world, her name translates as “She Who Hears the Cries of the World”. She is the opener of our hearts, helping us to remember to embody compassion and mercy to the best of our ability. As a bodhisattva she chose to help those who are suffering and through this work with her we can become bodhisattvas as well.
There has always been a debate as to whether Kuan Yin is male or female. Through out history she has been both at different times and eras. She seems to be a very fluid non-gender specific, liminal being in that respect. In more esoteric Buddhist traditions she is even called upon in her psycho-pomp aspect in funeral rites. She is a being of great liminality and in-between, who better to guide our way. She may also appear in a myriad of ways some of which include:
The Thousand Arm (Senju) Kuan Yin/Kannon: Kuan Yin seen with a thousand (often 42) arms that each contain a different tool of liberation. Some of these tools include: mirror, wish granting jewel, vase, the sacred seal, dorje/vajra, sutras, Wheel, etc…This is one of the most beloved aspects of her within Japanese culture.
White Robed (Byakue) Kuan Yin/Kannon: White Robed Kuan Yin is the preventer of disease, granting children, stopping disasters, she is often seen with the willow branch in her hand; a symbol of purification.
Dragon Riding (Ryuzu) Kuan Yin/Kannon: She is seen standing or seated upon a dragon, with turbulent waters below. This aspect of her represents compassion coupled with the might of the dragon; transformation, spiritual growth, wisdom and strength which together allow us to cross our “troubled waters”
Water-Moon (Suigetsu) Kuan Yin/Kannon: Seen with a disc behind her head (the moon), which is representative of a mirror. The mirror is a metaphor for the impure mind seeing the world through the veil of illusions.
Holy (Sho) Kuan Yin/Kannon: This is the unchangeable, sacred, pure, most holy aspect of Kuan Yin. This is one of the six aspects of her that protects the realm of karmic rebirth and alleviates suffering. She wears a crown of a small Amida buddha and often is holding a vase or lotus.
During my Reiki I attunement she appeared to me surrounded in violet flames. I had no idea she was related to the practice of Reiki, until I accidentally discovered the following correlation: Mt. Kurama in Kyoto, Japan has been revered as the birthplace of Reiki. It is the mountain where Dr. Usui had his satori experience when he rediscovered the Reiki energy. Interestingly enough, the architect who build one of the buddhist shrines on the mountain had a vision that included Kuan Yin (or Kannon in Japan), in which he saw her as a deity of this spiritual mountain that has long been associated with granting spiritual enlightenment. Suddenly my experience was validated by this piece of information I discovered. In addition, the Reiki master symbol is known as Dai Ko Myo, in esoteric buddhist traditions chanting this mantra it is believed to encompass the entire power of the Great Buddha Dainichi; the Reiki source, however it is Kwan Yin who mediates this energy into our world from the Great Buddha Dainichi.
A bodhisattva or bosatsu (Japanese) is a being who has reached enlightenment but before ascending into Nirvana guides those who are suffering to a place of wholeness and enlightenment, it also refers to someone on a path to spiritual awakening. Kwan Yin or Kannon (Japanese) is the bodhisattva of mercy and compassion. She was first referenced in the Lotus Sutra (406 C.E.) roughly 1600 years ago, however she may have been worshiped even before then. She has been worshipped all over the world, her name translates as “She Who Hears the Cries of the World”. She is the opener of our hearts, helping us to remember to embody compassion and mercy to the best of our ability. As a bodhisattva she chose to help those who are suffering and through this work with her we can become bodhisattvas as well.
There has always been a debate as to whether Kuan Yin is male or female. Through out history she has been both at different times and eras. She seems to be a very fluid non-gender specific, liminal being in that respect. In more esoteric Buddhist traditions she is even called upon in her psycho-pomp aspect in funeral rites. She is a being of great liminality and in-between, who better to guide our way. She may also appear in a myriad of ways some of which include:
The Thousand Arm (Senju) Kuan Yin/Kannon: Kuan Yin seen with a thousand (often 42) arms that each contain a different tool of liberation. Some of these tools include: mirror, wish granting jewel, vase, the sacred seal, dorje/vajra, sutras, Wheel, etc…This is one of the most beloved aspects of her within Japanese culture.
White Robed (Byakue) Kuan Yin/Kannon: White Robed Kuan Yin is the preventer of disease, granting children, stopping disasters, she is often seen with the willow branch in her hand; a symbol of purification.
Dragon Riding (Ryuzu) Kuan Yin/Kannon: She is seen standing or seated upon a dragon, with turbulent waters below. This aspect of her represents compassion coupled with the might of the dragon; transformation, spiritual growth, wisdom and strength which together allow us to cross our “troubled waters”
Water-Moon (Suigetsu) Kuan Yin/Kannon: Seen with a disc behind her head (the moon), which is representative of a mirror. The mirror is a metaphor for the impure mind seeing the world through the veil of illusions.
Holy (Sho) Kuan Yin/Kannon: This is the unchangeable, sacred, pure, most holy aspect of Kuan Yin. This is one of the six aspects of her that protects the realm of karmic rebirth and alleviates suffering. She wears a crown of a small Amida buddha and often is holding a vase or lotus.
During my Reiki I attunement she appeared to me surrounded in violet flames. I had no idea she was related to the practice of Reiki, until I accidentally discovered the following correlation: Mt. Kurama in Kyoto, Japan has been revered as the birthplace of Reiki. It is the mountain where Dr. Usui had his satori experience when he rediscovered the Reiki energy. Interestingly enough, the architect who build one of the buddhist shrines on the mountain had a vision that included Kuan Yin (or Kannon in Japan), in which he saw her as a deity of this spiritual mountain that has long been associated with granting spiritual enlightenment. Suddenly my experience was validated by this piece of information I discovered. In addition, the Reiki master symbol is known as Dai Ko Myo, in esoteric buddhist traditions chanting this mantra it is believed to encompass the entire power of the Great Buddha Dainichi; the Reiki source, however it is Kwan Yin who mediates this energy into our world from the Great Buddha Dainichi.