{{Redirect|Kwannon|the [[X-Men]] character|Revanche}}
{{about||the Chen Dynasty empress whose Buddhist nun name was "Guanyin"|Empress Shen Wuhua|the shrine in Repulse Bay|Kwun Yam Shrine}}
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{{Chinese|pic=Kuan-yan bodhisattva, Northern Sung dynasty, China, c. 1025, wood, Honolulu Academy of Arts.jpg|piccap=Northern Song Dynasty wood carving of Guanyin, c. 1025. Male [[bodhisattva]] depiction with [[Amitābha]] [[Buddha]] crown.|
s=观音|

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'''Guanyin''' is the [[bodhisattva]] associated with [[compassion]] as [[veneration|venerated]] by [[East Asia]]n [[Buddhism|Buddhists]], usually as a female. The name Guanyin is short for '''Guanshiyin''', which means "[[Vipassana|Observing]] the Sounds (or Cries) of the [[Samsara|World]]". She is also sometimes referred to as Guanyin Pusa ({{zh|s=观音菩萨|t=觀音菩薩|p=Guānyīn Púsà|w=Kuan-yin Pu-sah|l=Bodhisattva Guanyin}}).<ref name=Dore>{{Cite book|title = Researches into Chinese Superstitions|last1=Doré S.J.|first1=Henry|last2=Kennelly, S.J. (Translator)|first2=M.|year=1914|publisher=Tusewei Press, Shanghai}} Vol I p. 2</ref> Some Buddhists believe that when one of their adherents departs from this world, they are placed by Guanyin in the heart of a lotus, and then sent to the western [[pure land]] of [[Sukhavati|Sukhāvatī]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Johnson|first=Reginald|title=Buddhist China|year=2008|origyear=1913|publisher=Soul Care Publishing|isbn=978-0-9680459-3-0}}</ref>

It is generally accepted among East Asian adherents that Guanyin originated as the [[Sanskrit]] '''''[[Avalokiteśvara]]''''' (अवलोकितेश्वर). Commonly known in English as the '''Mercy Goddess''' or '''Goddess of Mercy''',<ref>[http://fathom.lse.ac.uk/seminars/21701773/21701773_session4.html Fathom.lse.ac.uk]</ref> Guanyin is also revered by Chinese [[Taoism|Taoists]] (or Daoists) as an Immortal. However, in [[Chinese mythology]], there are other stories about Guanyin's origins that are not directly related to Avalokiteśvara.

== Etymology ==

===Avalokitasvara===
''Guānyīn'' is a translation from the Sanskrit ''Avalokitasvara'', referring to the Mahāyāna bodhisattva of the same name. Another later name for this bodhisattva is ''Guānzìzài'' ({{zh|s=观自在|t=觀自在|p=Guānzìzài}}). It was initially thought that the Chinese mis-transliterated the word ''Avalokiteśvara'' as ''Avalokitasvara'' which explained why [[Xuanzang]] translated it as ''Guānzìzài'' instead of ''Guānyīn''. However, according to recent research, the original form was indeed ''Avalokitasvara'' with the ending ''a-svara'' ("sound, noise"), which means "sound perceiver", literally "he who looks down upon sound" (i.e., the cries of sentient beings who need his help; ''a-svara'' can be glossed as ''ahr-svara'', "sound of lamentation").<ref name="Red Pine 2004 pg 44-45">[[Red Pine (author)|Pine, Red]]. ''The Heart Sutra: The Womb of the Buddhas'' (2004) Shoemaker 7 Hoard. ISBN 1-59376-009-4 pg 44-45</ref> This is the exact equivalent of the Chinese translation ''Guānyīn''. This etymology was furthered in the Chinese by the tendency of some Chinese translators, notably [[Kumarajiva]], to use the variant ''Guānshìyīn'', literally "he who perceives the world's lamentations"—wherein ''lok'' was read as simultaneously meaning both "to look" and "world" (Skt. ''loka''; Ch. 世, ''shì'').<ref name="Red Pine 2004 pg 44-45"/>

Direct translations from the Sanskrit name ''Avalokitasvara'' include:
* Chinese: Guanyin (觀音), Guanshiyin (觀世音)

===Avalokiteśvara===
The name ''Avalokitasvara'' was later supplanted by the ''Avalokiteśvara'' form containing the ending ''-īśvara'', which does not occur in Sanskrit before the seventh century. The original form ''Avalokitasvara'' already appears in Sanskrit fragments of the fifth century.<ref>Studholme p. 52-57.</ref> The original meaning of the name "Avalokitasvara" fits the Buddhist understanding of the role of a bodhisattva. The reinterpretation presenting him as an ''īśvara'' shows a strong influence of [[Shaivism|Śaivism]], as the term ''īśvara'' was usually connected to the Hindu notion of [[Shiva|Śiva]] as a creator god and ruler of the world. Some attributes of such a god were transmitted to the bodhisattva, but the mainstream of those who venerated Avalokiteśvara upheld the Buddhist rejection of the doctrine of any creator god.<ref>Studholme p. 30-31, 37-52.</ref>

Direct translations from the Sanskrit name ''Avalokiteśvara'' include:
* Chinese: Guanzizai (觀自在)
* Tibetan: Chenrezig (སྤྱན་རས་གཟིགས།)

==Names in Asian countries==

Due to the devotional popularity of Guanyin in East Asia, she is known by many names, most of which are simply the localised pronunciations of "Guanyin" or "Guanshiyin":

* In China, '''Guanshiyin''' was changed to '''Guanyin''' due to the unacceptability of the original under the [[naming taboo]] of [[Emperor Taizong of Tang|Emperor Taizong]] of the [[Tang Dynasty]], whose personal name was Li Shimin (contains the Chinese character ''shi'' 世).{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
* In Macau, Hong Kong and Guangdong, the name is pronounced '''Kwun Yum''' or '''Kun Yum''' in the [[Cantonese language]], also written as '''Kwun Yam''' in Hong Kong or '''Kun Iam''' in Macau.
* In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], Guanyin is pronounced '''Kannon''' ({{lang|ja|観音}}), occasionally '''Kan'on''', or more formally '''Kanzeon''' ({{lang|ja|観世音}}, the same characters as ''Guanshiyin''); the spelling '''Kwannon''', based on a [[Early Middle Japanese|pre-modern]] pronunciation, is sometimes seen. This rendition was used for an earlier spelling of the well-known camera manufacturer [[Canon (company)|Canon]], which was named for Guanyin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canon.com/about/mark/origin.html |title=Kwanon name |publisher=Canon.com |accessdate=18 April 2012}}</ref>
* In [[Korean language|Korean]], Guanyin is called '''Gwan-eum''' (관음) or '''Gwanse-eum''' (관세음).
* In [[Thai language|Thai]], she is called '''Kuan Im''' ({{lang-th|กวนอิม}}), '''Phra Mae Kuan Im''' ({{lang-th|พระแม่กวนอิม}}), or '''Chao Mae Kuan Im''' ({{lang-th|เจ้าแม่กวนอิม}}).
* In [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]], the name is [[:vi:Quan Âm|Quan Âm]] or '''Quán Thế Âm'''.
* In [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]], the name is '''Kwan Im''' or '''Dewi Kwan Im''' referring the word ''Dewi'' as ''Devi'' or Goddess. She is also called ''Mak Kwan Im'' referring the word ''Mak'' as Mother.
* In [[Khmer language|Khmer]], the name is "Preah Mae Kun Ci Iem".

In these same countries, the variant ''Guanzizai'' (觀自在 lit. "Lord of Contemplation") and its equivalents are also used, such as in the ''[[Heart Sutra]]'', among other sources.

== Depiction ==
[[Image:Avalokitesvara Gandhara Musée Guimet 2418 1.jpg|thumb|left|upright|An early Indian statue of Avalokitasvara Bodhisattva. [[Gandhāra]], 3rd century]]
[[File:Eleven-faced Goddess of Mercy edit.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Guanyin as a male bodhisattva. Eleven faced "Ekādaśamukha" form. Japan, 12th century]]

Guanyin is the Chinese name for [[Avalokiteśvara]]. However, folk traditions in China and other East Asian countries have added many distinctive characteristics and legends. Avalokiteśvara was originally depicted as a male bodhisattva, and therefore wears chest-revealing clothing and may even sport a moustache. Although this depiction still exists in the Far East, Guanyin is more often depicted as a woman in modern times. Additionally, some people believe that Guanyin is [[androgynous]] (or perhaps neither).<ref>[http://books.google.ca/books?id=WDekApY7Y94C&pg=PA26&vq=%22in+hindu+myth,+kuan-yin+is+of+both+sexes%22&dq=&lr=&source=gbs_search_s&sig=ACfU3U0_pG2ibSFOmapsMhfidw1rJQMvHw Google Books]</ref>

The ''[[Lotus Sutra|Lotus Sūtra]]'' (Skt. ''Saddharma Puṇḍarīka Sūtra'') describes Avalokiteśvara as a bodhisattva who can take the form of any type of male or female, adult or child, human or non-human being, in order to teach the Dharma to sentient beings.<ref>Tsugunari, Kubo (tr). Yuyama, Akira (tr). ''The Lotus Sutra.'' 2007. pp. 311-312</ref> This text and its thirty-three manifestations of Guanyin, of which seven are female manifestations, is known to have been very popular in Chinese Buddhism as early as in the [[Sui Dynasty]] and [[Tang Dynasty]].<ref name="Tan Chung 1998. p. 222">Tan Chung. ''Across the Himalayan Gap: An Indian Quest for Understanding China.'' 1998. p. 222</ref> Additionally, Tan Chung notes that according to the doctrines of the Mahāyāna sūtras themselves, it does not matter whether Guanyin is male, female, or genderless, as the ultimate reality is in emptiness (Skt. ''[[śūnyatā]]'').<ref name="Tan Chung 1998. p. 222"/>

Representations of the bodhisattva in China prior to the [[Song Dynasty]] (960–1279) were masculine in appearance. Images which later displayed attributes of both genders are believed to be in accordance with the [[Lotus Sutra]], where Avalokitesvara has the supernatural power of assuming any form required to relieve suffering, and also has the power to grant children (possibly relating to the fact that in this Sutra, unlike in others, both men and women are believed to have the ability to achieve enlightenment.{{Citation needed|date=October 2011}}) Because this bodhisattva is considered the personification of compassion and kindness, a mother-goddess and patron of mothers and seamen, the representation in China was further interpreted in an all-female form around the 12th century. In the modern period, Guanyin is most often represented as a beautiful, white-robed woman, a depiction which derives from the earlier ''Pandaravasini'' form.

In some Buddhist temples and monasteries, Guanyin's image is occasionally that of a young man dressed in [[Song Dynasty|Northern Song Dynasty]] Buddhist robes and seated gracefully. He is usually depicted looking or glancing down, symbolising that Guanyin continues to watch over the world.

In China, Guanyin is sometimes shown in a white flowing robe and usually wears necklaces of Indian/Chinese royalty. In her left hand is a jar containing pure water, and the right holds a [[willow]] branch. The crown usually depicts the image of [[Amitabha]] Buddha.

There are also regional variations of Guanyin depictions. In the [[Fujian]] region of China, for example, a popular depiction of Guanyin is as a maiden dressed in [[Tang Dynasty]] style clothing carrying a fish basket. A popular image of Guanyin as both Guanyin of the South Sea and Guanyin With a Fish Basket can be seen in late 16th century Chinese encyclopedias and in prints that accompany the novel ''Golden Lotus''.

In Chinese art, Guanyin is often depicted either alone, standing atop a dragon, accompanied by a [[White Cockatoo|white parrot]], flanked by two children, or flanked by two warriors. The two children are her acolytes who came to her when she was meditating at [[Mount Putuo]]. The girl is called [[Longnü]] and the boy [[Sudhana|Shancai]]. The two warriors are the historical general [[Guan Yu]] from the late [[Han Dynasty]] and the bodhisattva [[Skanda (Buddhism)|Skanda]], who appears in the Chinese classical novel ''[[Fengshen Bang]]''. The Buddhist tradition also displays Guanyin, or other buddhas and bodhisattvas, flanked with the above mentioned warriors, but as bodhisattvas who protect the temple and the faith itself.

[[Bai people]] depict her as an old man Guafyeif Baof or Guanlyeinl Bol.<ref>[http://www.dali8.net/Article_Print.asp?ArticleID=2777 大理喜州九坛神本主庙一庙供九神]</ref>

A set of 6, 7, 8 or 33 different images of Guanyin are common.<ref>[http://www.bfnn.org/book/books2/1899.htm#a08 四大菩薩（無限的慈悲—觀世音菩薩）]</ref>

People thought to be her [[avatar]]s include [[Laozi]],<ref>[http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!t_UClIWTHhzAUrauNrIfysF0uaZjHg--/article?mid=4454&prev=4455&next=4452&l=a&fid=6 宣化上人說：白衣大士神咒是白蛇精，道教老子，是佛教的迦棄尊者化身，孔子是水月童子化身。諾那活佛也答：太上老君是千手觀世音菩薩之化身。（不是我說的啦）]</ref> Liu Sahe (劉薩珂), Baozhi (寶誌), [[Bodhidharma]], Seng Jia (僧伽), Yang Shouyi (楊守一), <ref>[http://www.fowg.cn/fxdg/HTML/fxdg_18928.html 观音的圣僧化现]</ref><ref>[http://www.guoxue.com/lwtj/content/shanglixin_lshxyjd.htm 刘萨诃信仰解读——关于中古民间佛教信仰的一点探索]</ref><ref>[http://www.dha.ac.cn/022E/index.htm 刘萨诃研究论著目录]</ref><ref>[http://www.guoxue.com/lwtj/content/shanglixin_lshyjzs.htm 刘萨诃研究综述]</ref><ref>[http://www.chibs.edu.tw/publication/hkbj/03/hkbj0302.htm 劉薩河研究]</ref><ref>[http://city.finance.sina.com.cn/city/2004-12-21/40796.html “泗洲大圣”-观音菩萨真身舍利江阴现世及考证侧记]</ref><ref>[http://ir.nou.edu.tw/dspace/bitstream/987654321/524/1/H1603.pdf 媽祖信仰的二元價值]</ref>[[Songtsän Gampo]],<ref>[http://www.xzass.org/html/news694.html 二十一度母的起源与职能]</ref><ref>[http://www.wuys.com/news/Article_Show.asp?ArticleID=14034 观世音菩萨的“演变”]</ref><ref>[http://www.beijingreview.com.cn/whzh/txt/2007-02/08/content_59817.htm 中国民间的观世音信仰]</ref><ref>[http://www.guanyinhuofo.com/news.asp?artId=112 观世音菩萨化身第十三世松赞干布转世.班玛德清仁波切]</ref> Keyou (克幽),<ref>[http://wenxian.fanren8.com/06/05/248/95.htm 95-蜀中广记卷八十八]</ref> [[Karmapa]], [[Dalai Lama]]<ref>[http://www.kagyutw.com/m05_student-2.html 親見兩位觀世音菩薩化身之感記]</ref><ref>[http://www.ucchusma.net/samanta/chenrezig/aff/aff_20.htm 六字大明咒殊勝感應彙集]</ref><ref>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/newmedia/2008-04/01/content_7898761.htm 第二章二班禅，就是现身尘世间的无量光佛]</ref><ref><[http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-MISC/mag86916.htm 「滿洲」與「文殊」的淵源及西藏政教思想中的領袖與佛菩薩]</ref>, some historical Chinese religious leaders,<ref>[http://www.gaya.org.tw/magazine/2005/64/history.htm 觀音老母祕密宗教中的觀音信仰（一）]</ref> Chunyin (純印)<ref>[http://www.amtf.cn/chunyin 純印]</ref>

==Veneration==
[[Image:Dongguan Guanyinshan.jpg|thumb|320px|right|Guanyin Shan (Guanyin Mountain) in [[Dongguan]], China]]


In Chinese Buddhist iconography, Guanyin is often depicted as meditating or sitting alongside one of the Buddhas and usually accompanied by another bodhisattva. The buddha and bodhisattva that are portrayed together with Guanyin usually follow whichever school of Buddhism they represent. In the [[Pure Land Buddhism|Pure Land school]], for example, Guanyin is frequently depicted on the left of [[Amitabha]] Buddha, while on the buddha's right is another bodhisattva called [[Mahasthamaprapta]] (Dàshìzhì). Temples that revere the bodhisattva [[Ksitigarbha]] usually depict him meditating beside Amitabha and Guanyin.

Along with Buddhism, Guanyin's veneration was introduced into China as early as the 1st century CE, and reached Japan through Korea soon after Buddhism was first introduced into the country in the mid-7th century.

The Nanshan Buddhist Music Concert 2006 (2006海南三亚南山佛教音乐会) involved monks from different traditions was held on the anniversity of the opening of the [[Guan Yin of the South Sea of Sanya]] in 2006,<ref>[http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/qi9B1rIwZAY 2006海南三亚南山佛教音乐会01]</ref><ref>[http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNTMzNDAwNDQ=.html 【碧海明月慈悲心】——【2006海南三亚南山佛教音乐会】上]</ref> after a big Buddhist music concert held in [[Mount Heng (Hunan)]] in 2004.<ref>http://www.nanyue.net.cn/video./中国南岳衡山大型佛教音乐会/</ref>

[[Image:Guanyin.jpg|thumb|left|Guanyin, sitting in the [[lotus position]]. The damaged hands probably performing ''dharmacakramudra'', a gesture that signifies the moment when Buddha put the wheel of learning in motion. Painted and gilded wood. China. Song/Jin period, late 13th century.]]

== Legends ==
[[Image:Quan Am 1656.jpg|thumb|right|200px|This wooden statue of Quan Âm Nghìn Mắt Nghìn Tay (Quan Am with 1000 eyes and 1000 hands) was fashioned in 1656 in [[Bắc Ninh Province]], northern [[Vietnam]]. It is now located in the History Museum in [[Hanoi]].]]
{{Buddhism and China}}

===Guanyin and the Thousand Arms===
One Buddhist legend from the ''Complete Tale of Guanyin and the Southern Seas'' ({{zh|c=南海觀音全撰|p=Nánhǎi Guānyīn Quánzhuàn}}) presents Guanyin as vowing to never rest until she had freed all sentient beings from the [[samsara]] or reincarnation.<ref>[http://ziliaoku.jxwmw.cn/system/2009/03/31/010121519.shtml 【明代小说】《南海观音菩萨出身修行传》全集--资料库]</ref> Despite strenuous effort, she realised that there were still many unhappy beings yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, her head split into eleven pieces. The buddha [[Amitabha]], upon seeing her plight, gave her eleven heads to help her hear the cries of those who are suffering. Upon hearing these cries and comprehending them, Avalokitesvara attempted to reach out to all those who needed aid, but found that her two arms shattered into pieces. Once more, Amitabha came to her aid and appointed her a thousand arms to let her reach out to those in need. Many Himalayan versions of the tale include eight arms with which Avalokitesvara skillfully upholds the [[Dharma]], each possessing its own particular implement, while more Chinese-specific versions give varying accounts of this number.

In China, it is said that fishermen used to pray to her to ensure safe voyages. The titles ''Guanyin of the Southern Ocean'' (南海觀音) and "Guanyin (of/on) the Island" stem from this tradition.

===Legend of Miaoshan===

Another story from the ''Precious Scroll of [[Fragrant Mountain]]'' describes an incarnation of Guanyin as the daughter of a cruel king who wanted her to marry a wealthy but uncaring man. The story is usually ascribed to the research of the Buddhist monk Chiang Chih-ch'i during the 11th century. The story is likely to have its origin in Taoism. When Chiang penned the work, he believed that the Guanyin we know today was actually a princess called Miaoshan (妙善), who had a religious following on Fragrant Mountain. Despite this there are many variants of the story in [[Chinese mythology]].

According to the story, after the king asked his daughter Miaoshan to marry the wealthy man, she told him that she would obey his command, so long as the marriage eased three misfortunes.

The king asked his daughter what were the three misfortunes that the marriage should ease. Miaoshan explained that the first misfortune the marriage should ease was the suffering people endure as they age. The second misfortune it should ease was the suffering people endure when they fall ill. The third misfortune it should ease was the suffering caused by death. If the marriage could not ease any of the above, then she would rather retire to a life of religion forever.

When her father asked who could ease all the above, Miaoshan pointed out that a doctor was able to do all of these.

[[Image:Daienin Kannon.JPG|thumb|left|190px|Kannon statue in Daien'in [[Mount Koya|Mt. Koya]], Japan]]

Her father grew angry as he wanted her to marry a person of power and wealth, not a healer. He forced her into hard labour and reduced her food and drink but this did not cause her to yield.

Every day she begged to be able to enter a temple and become a [[Bhikkuni|nun]] instead of marrying. Her father eventually allowed her to work in the temple, but asked the [[Bhikku|monk]]s to give her the toughest chores in order to discourage her. The monks forced Miaoshan to work all day and all night, while others slept, in order to finish her work. However, 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. Miaoshan put out the fire with her bare hands and suffered no burns. Now struck with fear, her father ordered her to be put to death.

In one version of this legend, when Guanyin was executed, a supernatural tiger took her to one of the more hell-like realms of the dead. However, instead of being punished like the other spirits of the dead, Guanyin played music, and flowers blossomed around her. This completely surprised the hell guardian. The story says that Guanyin, by merely being in that [[Naraka (Buddhism)|Naraka]] (hell), turned it into a paradise.

A variant of the legend says that Miaoshan allowed herself to die at the hand of the executioner. According to this legend, as the executioner tried to carry out her father's orders, his axe shattered into a thousand pieces. He then tried a sword which likewise shattered. He tried to shoot Miaoshan down with arrows but they all veered off.

Finally in desperation he used his hands. Miaoshan, realising the fate that the executioner would meet at her father's hand should she fail to let herself die, forgave the executioner for attempting to kill her. It is said that she voluntarily took on the massive karmic guilt the executioner generated for killing her, thus leaving him guiltless. It is because of this that she descended into the Hell-like realms. While there, she witnessed first-hand the suffering and horrors that the beings there must endure, and was overwhelmed with grief. Filled with compassion, she released all the good karma she had accumulated through her many lifetimes, thus freeing many suffering souls back into Heaven and Earth. In the process, that Hell-like realm became a paradise. It is said that [[Yama (Buddhism and Chinese mythology)|Yama]], the ruler of hell, sent her back to Earth to prevent the utter destruction of his realm, and that upon her return she appeared on [[Fragrant Mountain]].

Another tale says that Miaoshan never died, but was in fact transported by a supernatural tiger, believed to be the Deity of the Place,{{Clarify|date=February 2012}} to Fragrant Mountain.

The legend of Miaoshan usually ends with Miaozhuangyan, Miaoshan's father, falling ill with [[jaundice]]. No physician was able to cure him. Then a monk appeared saying that the jaundice could be cured by making a medicine out of the arm and eye of one without anger. The monk further suggested that such a person could be found on Fragrant Mountain. When asked, Miaoshan willingly offered up her eyes and arms. Miaozhuangyan was cured of his illness and went to the Fragrant Mountain to give thanks to the person. When he discovered that his own daughter had made the sacrifice, he begged for forgiveness. The story concludes with Miaoshan being transformed into the Thousand Armed Guanyin, and the king, queen and her two sisters building a temple on the mountain for her. She began her journey to [[Pure Land#Pure land|heaven]] and was about to cross over into heaven when she heard a cry of suffering from the world below. She turned around and saw the massive suffering endured by the people of the world. Filled with compassion, she returned to Earth, vowing never to leave till such time as all suffering has ended.

After her return to Earth, Guanyin was said to have stayed for a few years on the island of [[Mount Putuo]] where she practised meditation and helped the sailors and fishermen who got stranded. Guanyin is frequently worshipped as patron of sailors and fishermen due to this. She is said to frequently becalm the sea when boats are threatened with rocks.<ref>{{cite book
|last= Williams
|first= Charles Alfred Speed
|title= Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs
|publisher=Tuttle Publishing
|year=2006
|location=
| pages = 234–235
|isbn=0-8048-3704-X}}
which refers to her as the ''Daoist Queen of Heaven and Holy Mother''.</ref> After some decades Guanyin returned to Fragrant Mountain to continue her meditation.

===Guanyin and Shancai===
{{Main|Sudhana}}
Legend has it that Shancai (also called [[Sudhana]] in [[Sanskrit]]) was a disabled boy from India who was very interested in studying the [[dharma]]. When he heard that there was a Buddhist teacher on the rocky island of Putuo he quickly journeyed there to learn. Upon arriving at the island, he managed to find Guanyin despite his severe disability.

Guanyin, after having a discussion with Shancai, decided to test the boy's resolve to fully study the Buddhist teachings. She conjured the illusion of three sword-wielding pirates running up the hill to attack her. Guanyin took off and dashed to the edge of a cliff, the three illusions still chasing her.

Shancai, seeing that his teacher was in danger, hobbled uphill. Guanyin then jumped over the edge of the cliff, and soon after this the three bandits followed. Shancai, still wanting to save his teacher, managed to crawl his way over the cliff edge.

Shancai fell down the cliff but was halted in midair by Guanyin, who now asked him to walk. Shancai found that he could walk normally and that he was no longer crippled. When he looked into a pool of water he also discovered that he now had a very handsome face. From that day forth, Guanyin taught Shancai the entire dharma.

===Guanyin and Longnü===
[[Image:Guan Yin in white robe, by Mu-ch'i.jpg|left|thumb|14th Century Mu Qi Recreation, Chinese, [[Ming period]]]]
{{Main|Longnü}}
Many years after Shancai ([[Sudhana]]) became a disciple of Guanyin, a distressing event happened in the South China Sea. The son of one of the [[Dragon King]]s (a ruler-god of the sea) was caught by a fisherman while taking the form of a fish. Being stuck on land, he was unable to transform back into his dragon form. His father, despite being a mighty Dragon King, was unable to do anything while his son was on land. Distressed, the son called out to all of Heaven and Earth.

Hearing this cry, Guanyin quickly sent Shancai to recover the fish and gave him all the money she had. The fish at this point was about to be sold in the market. It was causing quite a stir as it was alive hours after being caught. This drew a much larger crowd than usual at the market. Many people decided that this prodigious situation meant that eating the fish would grant them immortality, and so all present wanted to buy the fish. Soon a bidding war started, and Shancai was easily outbid.

Shancai begged the fish seller to spare the life of the fish. The crowd, now angry at someone so daring, was about to pry him away from the fish when Guanyin projected her voice from far away, saying "A life should definitely belong to one who tries to save it, not one who tries to take it."

The crowd, realising their shameful actions and desire, dispersed. Shancai brought the fish back to Guanyin, who promptly returned it to the sea. There the fish transformed back to a dragon and returned home. Paintings of Guanyin today sometimes portray her holding a fish basket, which represents the aforementioned tale.

But the story does not end there. As a reward for Guanyin saving his son, the Dragon King sent his granddaughter, a girl called [[Longnü]] ("dragon girl"), to present Guanyin with the Pearl of Light. The Pearl of Light was a precious jewel owned by the Dragon King that constantly shone. Longnü, overwhelmed by the presence of Guanyin, asked to be her disciple so that she might study the [[dharma]]. Guanyin accepted her offer with just one request: that Longnü be the new owner of the Pearl of Light.

In popular iconography, Longnü and Shancai are often seen alongside Guanyin as two children. Longnü is seen either holding a bowl or an [[ingot]], which represents the Pearl of Light, whereas Shancai is seen with palms joined and knees slightly bent to show that he was once crippled.

===Guanyin and the Filial Parrot===
The ''Precious Scroll of the Parrot'' ({{zh|c=鸚鴿寶撰|p=Yīnggē Bǎozhuàn}}) tells the story of a parrot who becomes a disciple of Guanyin. During the Tang Dynasty a small parrot ventures out to search for its mother's favourite food upon which it is captured by a poacher (parrots were quite popular during the Tang Dynasty). When it managed to escape it found out that its mother had already died. The parrot grieved for its mother and provides her with a proper funeral. It then sets out to become a disciple of Guanyin.

In popular iconography, the parrot is coloured white and usually seen hovering to the right side of Guanyin with either a pearl or a prayer bead clasped in its beak. The parrot becomes a symbol of filial piety.<ref name="parrot">{{cite book|title=Personal salvation and filial piety: two precious scroll narratives of Guanyin and her acolytes|author=Wilt L. Idema|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|year=2008|ISBN=0-8248-3215-9, 9780824832155|url=http://books.google.ca/books?id=nKimqfLnB1IC&dq=Guan+Yin+Golden+youth+Jade+dragon|page=33}}</ref>

===Guanyin and Chen Jinggu===
[[Image:Chinese - Seated Guanyin (Kuan-yin) Bodhisattva - Walters 25256 (2).jpg|left|200px|thumb|Dry-lacquer sculpture in the "Water-moon Guanyin" theme.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= [[The Walters Art Museum]]
|url= http://art.thewalters.org/detail/4483
|title= Seated Guanyin (Kuan-yin) Bodhisattva}}</ref> The [[Walters Art Museum]].]]
When the people of [[Quanzhou]], [[Fujian]] could not raise enough money to build a bridge, Guanyin changed into a beautiful maiden. Getting on a boat, she offered to marry any man who could hit her with a piece of silver from the edge of the water. Due to many people missing, she collected a large sum of money in her boat. However, [[Lü Dongbin]], one of the [[Eight Immortals]], helped a merchant hit Guanyin in the hair with silver powder, which floated away in the water. Guanyin bit her finger and a drop of blood fell into the water, but she vanished. This blood was swallowed by a washer woman, who gave birth to Chen Jinggu (陈靖姑) or Lady Linshui (临水夫人); the hair was turned into a female white snake and sexually used men and killed rival women. The snake and Chen were to be mortal enemies. The merchant was sent to be reborn as Liu Qi (刘杞).

Chen was a beautiful and talented girl, but did not wish to marry Liu Qi. Instead, she fled to [[Mount Lu]] in [[Jiangxi]], where she learned many [[Taoist]] skills, except protecting pregnancies. Destiny eventually caused her to marry Liu and she became pregnant. A drought in Fujian caused many people to ask her to call for rain, which was a ritual that could not be performed while pregnant. She temporarily aborted her child, which was killed by the white snake. Chen managed to kill the snake with a sword, but died either of a miscarriage or hemorrhage; she was able to complete the ritual, and ended drought.

This story is popular in [[Zhejiang]], [[Taiwan]], and especially [[Fujian]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Pregadio|2008|p=[http://books.google.com/books?id=MioRmEq2xHUC&pg=PA682 682]}}</ref>

===Quan Am Thi Kinh===
Quan Am Thi Kinh (觀音氏敬) is a Vietnamese verse recounting the life of lady, Thi Kinh, who was accused falsely of having intended to kill her husband, and when she disguised herself as a man to lead a religious life in a Buddhist temple, she was again falsely blamed for having committed sexual intercourse with a girl and having made her pregnant, which was strictly forbidden by Buddhist law, but thanks to her endurance of all indignities and her spirit of self-sacrifice, she could enter into Nirvana and became Goddess of Mercy.<ref>[http://www.truyenviet.com/component/content/article/133-co-tich-viet-nam/9205-quan-am-thi-kinh Quan Âm Thị Kính]</ref>

==Guanyin and vegetarianism==
Due to her symbolization of compassion, in [[East Asia]] Guanyin is associated with [[vegetarianism]]. [[Chinese Buddhist cuisine|Chinese vegetarian restaurants]] are generally decorated with her image, and she appears in most Buddhist vegetarian pamphlets and magazines.

==Guanyin in Chinese Buddhism==
[[Image:Status of Kuan Yin.jpg|thumb|A Chinese [[Ming dynasty]] porcelain figure of Guanyin.]]
[[File:The Virgin Mary disguised as Kanon Japan.jpg|thumb|The [[Virgin Mary]] disguised as [[Kannon]], [[Kirishitan]] cult, 17th century Japan. Salle des Martyrs, [[Paris Foreign Missions Society]].]]
[[File:Guan yin 100.jpg|thumb|A portrait of Guanyin]]

In Chinese Buddhism, Guanyin is synonymous with the bodhisattva [[Avalokitesvara]]. Among the Chinese, Avalokitesvara is almost exclusively called ''Guanshiyin Pusa'' (觀世音菩薩). The Chinese translation of many Buddhist sutras has in fact replaced the Chinese transliteration of Avalokitesvara with ''Guanshiyin'' (觀世音) Some Daoist scriptures give her the title of ''Guanyin Dashi'', and sometimes informally as ''Guanyin Fozu''.

In Chinese culture, the popular belief and worship of Guanyin as a goddess{{Citation needed|date=October 2011}} by the populace is generally not viewed to be in conflict with the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara's nature. In fact the widespread worship of Guanyin as a "Goddess of Mercy and Compassion"{{Citation needed|date=October 2011}} is seen as the boundless salvific nature of bodhisattva Avalokitesvara at work (in Buddhism, this is referred to as Guanyin's "skillful means", or [[upaya]]). The Buddhist canon states that bodhisattvas can assume whatsoever gender and form is needed to liberate beings from ignorance and [[dukkha]]. With specific reference to Avalokitesvara, he is stated both in the [[Lotus Sutra]] (Chapter 25 "Perceiver of the World's Sounds" or "Universal Gateway"), and the [[Surangama Sutra]] to have appeared before as a woman or a goddess to save beings from suffering and ignorance. Some Buddhist schools refer to Guanyin both as male and female interchangeably.

In [[Mahayana Buddhism]], gender is no obstacle to attaining enlightenment (or [[nirvana]]). The Buddhist concept of non-duality applies here. The [[Vimalakirti Sutra]] in the Goddess chapter clearly illustrates an enlightened being who is also a female and deity. In the Lotus Sutra a maiden became enlightened in a very short time span. The view that the bodhisattva [[Avalokitesvara]] is also the goddess Guanyin does not seem contradictory to Buddhist beliefs. Guanyin has been a buddha called the [[Tathāgata]] of Brightness of Correct [[Dharma]] (正法明如來).<ref>[http://www.cbeta.org/result/normal/T20/1060_001.htm 《千手千眼觀世音菩薩廣大圓滿無礙大悲心陀羅尼經》卷1]</ref>

Given that bodhisattvas are known to incarnate at will as living people according to the sutras, the princess Miaoshan is generally viewed as an incarnation of Avalokitesvara.

Guanyin is immensely popular among Chinese Buddhists, especially those from devotional schools. She is generally seen as a source of unconditional love and, more importantly, as a saviour. In her bodhisattva vows, Guanyin promises to answer the cries and pleas of all sentient beings and to liberate them from their own karmic woes. Based on the Lotus Sutra and the Shurangama sutra, Avalokitesvara is generally seen as a saviour, both spiritually and physically. The sutras state that through his saving grace even those who have no chance of being enlightened can be enlightened, and those deep in negative karma can still find salvation through his compassion.

In [[Pure Land Buddhism]], Guanyin is described as the "Barque of Salvation". Along with [[Amitabha Buddha]] and the bodhisattva [[Mahasthamaprapta]], She temporarily liberates beings out of the Wheel of Samsara into the Pure Land, where they will have the chance to accrue the necessary merit so as to be a Buddha in one lifetime.

Even among Chinese Buddhist schools that are non-devotional, Guanyin is still highly venerated. Instead of being seen as an active external force of unconditional love and salvation, the personage of Guanyin is highly revered as the principle of compassion, mercy and love. The act, thought and feeling of compassion and love is viewed as Guanyin. A merciful, compassionate, loving individual is said to be Guanyin. A meditative or contemplative state of being at peace with oneself and others is seen as Guanyin.

In the Mahayana canon, the [[Heart Sutra]] is ascribed entirely to Guanyin. This is unique, as most Mahayana Sutras are usually ascribed to [[Shakyamuni Buddha]] and the teachings, deeds or vows of the bodhisattvas are described by Shakyamuni Buddha. In the [[Heart Sutra]], Guanyin describes to the [[arhat]] [[Sariputra]] the nature of reality and the essence of the Buddhist teachings. The famous Buddhist saying "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form" (色即是空，空即是色) comes from this sutra.

Water chanted with [[Nīlakantha dhāranī]] are drunk as medicine.<ref>[http://www.buddhanet.idv.tw/aspboard/dispbbs.asp?boardID=3&ID=32887&page=1 九華山大興善寺：救世師父傳記彙編]</ref>

[[Shaolin Monastery]] historically worshiped a deity known as [[Kimnara]], a [[dharmapala]], as their [[patron saint]] and progenitor of the [[Shaolin Kung Fu|Shaolin staff method]]. Kimnara was originally called "Narayana" (not to be confused with [[Narayana|Vishnu]]), which was a name for the bodhisattva [[Vajrapani]]. However, Shaolin considered Vajrapani's Kimnara form to be an emanation of Guanyin.<ref>Shahar, Meir. The Shaolin Monastery: History, Religion, and the Chinese Martial Arts. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2008 (ISBN 978-0-8248-3110-3), p. 40</ref>

==Guanyin in other religions==
[[Image:Kek Lok Si Goddess of Mercy.jpg|300px|thumb|right|[[Penang]], [[Kek Lok Si]] Temple]]
Some Taoist records claim Guanyin was a Chinese female who became an immortal [[Cihang Zhenren]] in [[Shang Dynasty]] or Xingyin (姓音).<ref>[http://hi.baidu.com/axblog/blog/item/c7381508163b6530e924887f.html 太上碧落洞天慈航灵感度世宝忏起赞_仙道贵生。无量度人_百度空间]</ref>

Guanyin is an extremely popular Goddess in Chinese folk belief and is worshiped in Chinese communities throughout East and South East Asia.<ref>[http://www.wuys.com/news/article_show.asp?articleid=14037 观世音菩萨的“演变”]</ref><ref>[http://www.fjdh.com/wumin/HTML/82218.html 於君方：《偽經》與觀音信仰]</ref><ref>[http://www.gywh.net/guanyin/xingxiang.shtml 中國觀音文化促进會观音形象]</ref><ref>[http://www.plm.org.cn/gnews/2009130/2009130101841.html 中国观音信仰的基本体系]</ref> Guanyin is revered in the general Chinese population due to her unconditional love, compassion and mercy. She is generally regarded by many as the protector of women and children. By this association she is also seen as a fertility goddess capable of granting children. An old Chinese superstition involves a woman wishing to have a child offering a shoe at a Guanyin Temple. Sometimes a borrowed shoe is used then when the expected child is born the shoe is returned to its owner along with a new pair as a "thank you" gift.<ref name="Dore" /> Guanyin is also seen as the champion of the unfortunate, the sick, the disabled, the poor, and those in trouble. Some coastal and river areas of China regard her as the protector of fishermen, sailors, and generally people who are out at sea, thus many also come to believe that [[Mazu (goddess)|Mazu]], the Daoist goddess of the sea, is a manifestation of Guanyin. Due to her association with the legend of the [[Great Flood (China)|Great Flood]], where she sent down a [[Dog in Chinese mythology|dog]] holding [[rice]] grains in its tail after the flood, she is worshiped as a rice goddess. In some quarters, especially among business people and traders, she is looked upon as a Goddess of Luck and Fortune. In recent years there have been claims of her being the protector of air travelers.

She is called Nanhai Gufo (南海古佛) in [[I-Kuan Tao]] and frequent appears in their [[Fuji (planchette writing)]].<ref>[http://www.gaya.org.tw/magazine/v1/2005/64/64hk1.htm 香光莊嚴第六十四期/歷史/觀音老母]</ref>

Supreme Master [[Ching Hai]] initiates her followers a method called Quan Yin Method to get enlightenment.

She is a buddha and a teacher in [[Cao Dai]].

==Guanyin and the Virgin Mary==
[[Image:Guanyin and child.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Guanyin and child, similar to a [[Madonna and Child]] painting.]]

Some Buddhist and Christian observers have commented on the similarity between Guanyin and [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] of [[Christianity]], the mother of [[Jesus Christ]]. This can be attributed to the representation of Guanyin holding a child in Chinese art and sculpture; it is believed that Guanyin is the patron saint of mothers and grants parents filial children. When the [[Tzu-Chi]] Foundation, a Taiwanese Buddhist organisation, noticed the similarity between this form of Guanyin and the Virgin Mary, the organisation commissioned a portrait of Guanyin and a baby that resembles the typical Roman Catholic [[Madonna and Child]] painting.

During the [[Edo Period]] in Japan, when Christianity was banned and punishable by death, some underground Christian groups venerated the Virgin Mary disguised as a statue of Kannon; such statues are known as ''[[Kakure Kirishitan|Maria Kannon]]''. Many had a cross hidden in an inconspicuous location.

It is suggested the similarity comes from the conquest and colonisation by Spain during the 16th century, when engravings of the Virgin Mary influenced Asian cultures. Evident by this ivory carving of the Virgin Mary by a Chinese carver.<ref>{{cite web |title=Victoria and Albert Museum, 2004 London Proms Performing Art Lecture with Christopher Cook and Marjorie Trusted |url=http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/sculpture/audio_proms_talk/index.html |publisher=Vam.ac.uk }} (mp4 audio, requires Apple QuickTime).</ref>

==See also==
* [[Avalokiteśvara]]
* [[Buddhism in China]]
* [[Guanyin Statue of Hainan]], [[List of statues by height|the fourth tallest statue in the world]]
* [[Mount Putuo|Putuoshan]] (Mount Putuo), an island in [[Zhejiang]] province, China, considered to be the [[bodhimandala]] of Guanyin
* [[Quan Am Pagoda]], of Cho Lon, Saigon, Vietnam
* [[Tara (Buddhism)]] (Tara is the female aspect of Avalokitesvara in [[Tibetan Buddhism]].)
* [[Tieguanyin]], a variety of [[China|Chinese]] [[oolong|oolong tea]] named after Guanyin
* [[Zhang Jigang]] (creator of the Thousand Hand Guanyin dance)

==References==
{{reflist}}
*{{Citation | last = Pregadio| first =Fabrizio | title =The encyclopedia of Taoism, Volume 1| year =2008|place=Princeton, NJ|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn = 0-7007-1200-3|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=MioRmEq2xHUC}}
* Suzanne E Cahill: ''Transcendence & Divine Passion. The Queen Mother of the West in Medieval China'', Stanford University Press, Stanford, 1993, ISBN 0-8047-2584-5
* Martin Palmer, Jay Ramsay, Man-Ho Kwok: ''Kuan Yin. Myths and Prophecies of the Chinese Goddess of Compassion'', Thorsons, San Francisco 1995, ISBN 1-85538-417-5
* William Stoddart: ''Outline of Buddhism'', The Foundation for Traditional Studies, Oakton, Virginia, 1996.
* Kuan Ming: ''Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism'', Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc, 1985
* Chun-fang Yu, ''Kuan-yin, The Chinese Transformation of Avalokitesvara'', Columbia University Press, New York, 2001, ISBN 0-231-12029-X
* John Blofeld: ''Bodhisattva of Compassion. The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin'', Shambhala, Boston 1988, ISBN 0-87773-126-8
* Miao Yun: ''Teachings in Chinese Buddhism: Selected Translation of Miao Yun'', Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc, 1995
* [http://www.fsu.edu/~arh/events/athanor/athxix/AthanorXIX_kim.pdf#search=%22sudhana%20legend%22 Evolution of Avalokitesvara ]
*[[Lotus Sutra]]: [http://www.buddhistdoor.com/OldWeb/resources/sutras/lotus/sources/lotus25.htm Chapter 25. The universal door of Guanshi Yin Bodhisattva (The bodhisattva who contemplates the sounds of the world)] (Translated by The Buddhist Text Translation Society in USA)

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Guan_Yin|Guan Yin}}
*[http://www.fsu.edu/~arh/images/athanor/athxix/AthanorXIX_kim.pdf Sinicization of Buddhism - White Robe Guan Yin] - explanation of how Avalokiteshvara transformed into Guan Yin in Chinese Buddhism
* [http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/kuanyin-txt.htm Buddhanet: Kuan Yin ] Description on Kuan Yin
* [http://www.baus.org/baus/library/ekye2.html Heart Sutra ] Explanation on Kuan Yin and the Heart Sutra
* [http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/miao-sha.html Detailed history of Miao Shan ] Legend of Miao Shan
* [http://taipei.tzuchi.org.tw/tzquart/99spring/qp99-11.htm Tzu-Chi organisation: Kuan Yin, Buddhist perspective ]
* [http://www.kosei-shuppan.co.jp/english/text/mag/2008/08_456_3.html Kuan-yin Devotion in China] by Chün-fang Yü
* [http://surangama.drba.org/ Surangama Sutra] by Buddhist Text Translation Society. Chapter 6 details Kuan Yin's powers.
* [http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma8/kwanyin.html Kwan Yin and the Swallows]
* [http://www.scribd.com/doc/16291238/Ruta-de-La-Seda-3-Dunhuang-J93 Images and travelling impressions - in Spanish]

{{Chinese Buddhist Pantheon}}
{{Buddhism topics}}
{{Bodhisattvas}}

[[Category:Bodhisattvas]]
[[Category:Chinese goddesses]]
[[Category:Mother goddesses]]
[[Category:Virgin goddesses]]
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[[Category:Pure Land Buddhism]]
[[Category:Female buddhas and supernatural beings]]
[[Category:Goddesses]]
[[Category:Mahayana]]
[[Category:Buddhist deities, bodhisattvas, and demons]]

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