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Kuan Yin/en: Difference between revisions
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[[File:0000210 kuan-yin-from-nelson-atkins-museum-2295AX 600.jpeg|thumb|alt=Statue of Kuan Yin, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri|Statue of Kuan Yin, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri]] | [[File:0000210 kuan-yin-from-nelson-atkins-museum-2295AX 600.jpeg|thumb|alt=Statue of Kuan Yin, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri|Statue of Kuan Yin, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri. She is depicted here seated in her characteristic pose of royal ease.]] | ||
'''Kuan Yin''' is revered in Buddhism as the compassionate Saviouress, the Bodhisattva of Mercy. Beloved as a mother figure and divine mediatrix who is close to the daily affairs of her devotees, Kuan Yin’s role as Buddhist Madonna has been compared to that of [[Mother Mary|Mary the mother of Jesus]] in the West. Throughout the Far East, devotees seek her guidance and succor in every area of life. Altars dedicated to Kuan Yin can be found in temples, homes and wayside grottoes. | '''Kuan Yin''' is revered in Buddhism as the compassionate Saviouress, the Bodhisattva of Mercy. Beloved as a mother figure and divine mediatrix who is close to the daily affairs of her devotees, Kuan Yin’s role as Buddhist Madonna has been compared to that of [[Mother Mary|Mary the mother of Jesus]] in the West. Throughout the Far East, devotees seek her guidance and succor in every area of life. Altars dedicated to Kuan Yin can be found in temples, homes and wayside grottoes. | ||
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Kuan Yin is revered as protectress of women, sailors, merchants, craftsmen, those under criminal prosecution and those desiring progeny. There is an implicit trust in Kuan Yin’s saving grace and healing powers. Many believe that even the simple recitation of her name will bring her instantly to the scene. ''[[Kuan Yin’s Crystal Rosary]]'' contains her mantras and is a powerful means of invoking her intercession. | Kuan Yin is revered as protectress of women, sailors, merchants, craftsmen, those under criminal prosecution and those desiring progeny. There is an implicit trust in Kuan Yin’s saving grace and healing powers. Many believe that even the simple recitation of her name will bring her instantly to the scene. ''[[Kuan Yin’s Crystal Rosary]]'' contains her mantras and is a powerful means of invoking her intercession. | ||
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[[File:0001092 Kuan-Yin-willow-branch-poster-4345 600.jpeg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Old Korean painting of Kuan Yin|''Avalokitesvara with Willow Branch'', hanging Silk Scroll, c. 1310, Goryeo Dynasty (Korea)]] | |||
== Traditions in the East == | == Traditions in the East == | ||
For centuries, Kuan Yin has epitomized the great ideal of Mahayana Buddhism in her role as [[bodhisattva]]—literally “a being of bodhi, or enlightenment,” who is destined to become a [[Buddha]] but has foregone the bliss of [[nirvana]] with a vow to save all children of God. Kuan Yin has taken the bodhisattva vow to work with the evolutions of this planet and this solar system to show them the way of the teachings of the ascended masters. | For centuries, Kuan Yin has epitomized the great ideal of Mahayana Buddhism in her role as [[bodhisattva]]—literally “a being of bodhi, or enlightenment,” who is destined to become a [[Buddha]] but has foregone the bliss of [[nirvana]] with a vow to save all children of God. Kuan Yin has taken the bodhisattva vow to work with the evolutions of this planet and this solar system to show them the way of the teachings of the ascended masters. | ||
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In Buddhist tradition, Kuan Yin is sometimes depicted as the captain of the “Bark of Salvation,” ferrying souls across the rough sea of their karma to Amitabha’s Western Paradise, or [[Pure Land]], the land of bliss where souls may be reborn to receive continued instruction toward the goal of enlightenment and perfection. | In Buddhist tradition, Kuan Yin is sometimes depicted as the captain of the “Bark of Salvation,” ferrying souls across the rough sea of their karma to Amitabha’s Western Paradise, or [[Pure Land]], the land of bliss where souls may be reborn to receive continued instruction toward the goal of enlightenment and perfection. | ||
[[File: | One of Kuan Yin’s principal emblems is the willow branch. According to Buddhist belief, she uses the willow branch to drive away illness and to sprinkle the nectar of wisdom and compassion upon all who invoke her assistance. In some Asian traditions prayers to cure disease were given while stroking the afflicted person with a willow branch. | ||
[[File:0000214 kuan-yin-on-a-dragon-2331AX 600.jpeg|thumb|upright|alt=Painting of Kuan Yin in Chinese style, riding a dragon in the midst of a turbulent sea|Kuan Yin riding a dragon. This image also represents Kuan Yin’s mastery of the water element, in the same way that Mother Mary’s mastery of the water element is depicted in images of her with the moon beneath her feet.]] | |||
One of Kuan Yin’s principal emblems is the willow branch. According to Buddhist belief, she uses the willow branch to drive away illness and to sprinkle the nectar of wisdom and compassion upon all who invoke her assistance. In some Asian traditions prayers to cure disease were given while stroking the afflicted person with a willow branch. | |||
Kuan Yin is considered to be the bestower of children, and so she is often depicted with an infant. In Taiwan there is also a legend that in one of her embodiments she was a mother and therefore is shown with her own child. | |||
Kuan Yin is also often depicted standing on a dragon. The dragon for the Chinese people represents China and their divine lineage. It is also a symbol of the entire Spirit of the [[Great White Brotherhood]]. In its antithesis, the dragon is seen in the [[Book of Revelation]] giving power to the beasts. So a dragon is a thoughtform of a great hierarchy—whether embodying the forces of Light or the forces of Darkness. | |||
In Chinese lore the dragon and the [[phoenix]] bird together represent the yang and yin of the whirling T’ai Chi. So the image of Kuan Yin riding a dragon shows her having dominion over that dragon in the sense of being the master of it. | |||
== Miao Shan == | == Miao Shan == | ||
It is widely believed that Kuan Yin took embodiment as the third daughter of Miao Chuang Wang, identified with the Chou dynasty, a ruler of a northern Chinese kingdom about 700 <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>. | [[File:The Tiger Carries Off Miao Shan.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Painting in Chinese style of Miao Shan on the back of a tiger|Miao Shan being carried off by a tiger]] | ||
It is widely believed that Kuan Yin took embodiment as the third daughter of Miao Chuang Wang, identified with the Chou dynasty, a ruler of a northern Chinese kingdom about 700 <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>. The king had seized his throne by force of arms, and he desperately desired a male heir to succeed him. Instead he had three daughters. The youngest, Miao Shan, was a devout child who “scrupulously observed all of the tenets of the Buddhist doctrines. Virtuous living seemed, indeed, to be to her a second nature.”<ref>This account is taken from Edward T. C. Werner, ''Myths and Legends of China'' (London: Harrap, 1922), chapter X.</ref> | |||
She recognized the impermanence of riches and glory and desired nothing more than “a peaceful retreat on a lone mountain.” She told her sisters that “If some day I can reach a high degree of goodness.... I will rescue my father and mother, and bring them to Heaven; I will save the miserable and afflicted on earth; I will convert the spirits which do evil, and cause them to do good.” | |||
Miao Shan’s father determined to find a husband for her who would be capable of ruling the kingdom. The king explained his plans and told her that all his hopes rested on her. Miao Shan said that she did not wish to marry because she desired to attain perfection and Buddhahood. | |||
The king was angry. “Has anyone known the daughter of a king to become a nun?” he asked. Then he demanded that she marry an academician or a military man at once. Recognizing that she could not openly disobey her father’s orders, Miao Shan said that she would immediately marry a physician since she could then still become a Buddha. Outraged, the king ordered his officer to take her to the Queen’s garden “and let her perish there of cold.” | |||
Miao Shan retired to the garden glad to exchange the pleasures of the palace for the sweetness of solitude. Her parents, sisters and the ladies of the court tried in vain to dissuade Miao Shan from her purpose. Instead she asked her father’s permission to live at the Nunnery of the White Bird. The king consented but sent strict orders to the nunnery that the nuns should do all in their power to persuade Miao Shan to leave. | |||
The nuns tried but failed. They then decided to put Miao Shan in charge of the kitchen where, if she failed, they could dismiss her. Miao Shan so joyously agreed that she touched the heart of the Master of Heaven who ordered the spirits of heaven to assist her in her duties. | |||
The Superior of the nunnery then asked the King to recall his daughter. The king sent five thousand soldiers to surround the Nunnery of the White Bird and burn it to the ground along with the nuns. The nuns invoked the aid of Heaven but said to Miao Shan: “It is you who have brought upon us this terrible disaster.” | |||
Miao Shan agreed that it was so. She knelt and prayed to Heaven and then pricked the roof of her mouth with her bamboo hairpin and spat the flowing blood toward heaven. Great clouds immediately gathered and showers put out the fire threatening the nunnery. The nuns threw themselves on their knees and thanked Miao Shan for saving their lives. | |||
The king, informed of this miracle, was enraged and ordered the chief of the guard to immediately behead Miao Shan. As the execution was to begin, the sky became overcast, but a bright light surrounded Miao Shan. When the executioner’s sword fell upon her neck, it broke. A spear thrust at her fell to pieces. | |||
The king ordered that she be strangled with a silken cord. But a tiger leaped into the execution grounds, dispersed the executioners, put the inanimate body of Miao Shan on his back and disappeared into the pine forest. | |||
Miao Shan’s soul, which was not hurt, was taken to the lower world, hell. She prayed and hell was transformed into a paradise. She was sent back to earth to resume her life there. Carried on a lotus flower to the island of P’ootoo, near Nimpo, she lived for nine years healing the diseased and saving mariners from shipwreck. | |||
It is said that once, when word was brought to her that her father had fallen ill, she cut the flesh from her arms and used it as a medicine that saved his life. In gratitude, he ordered that a statue be erected in her honor, commissioning the artist to depict her with “completely formed arms and eyes.” The artist misunderstood, however, and to this day Kuan Yin is sometimes shown with a “thousand arms and a thousand eyes,” thereby able to see and assist the masses of her people. | It is said that once, when word was brought to her that her father had fallen ill, she cut the flesh from her arms and used it as a medicine that saved his life. In gratitude, he ordered that a statue be erected in her honor, commissioning the artist to depict her with “completely formed arms and eyes.” The artist misunderstood, however, and to this day Kuan Yin is sometimes shown with a “thousand arms and a thousand eyes,” thereby able to see and assist the masses of her people. | ||
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Kuan Yin reminds us, “When you feel the need of greater strength, of illumination, of greater purity and healing, remember that all of these qualities come to you from the heart of God by the power of the flame of mercy itself. For in forgiveness there comes renewed opportunity to fulfill the Law, and without forgiveness little progress can be made.”<ref>Kuan Yin, “Karma, Mercy, and the Law,” ''Pearls of Wisdom'', 1982, Book II, p. ''106''.</ref> Therefore, in order to reenter the walk with God, we need forgiveness. | Kuan Yin reminds us, “When you feel the need of greater strength, of illumination, of greater purity and healing, remember that all of these qualities come to you from the heart of God by the power of the flame of mercy itself. For in forgiveness there comes renewed opportunity to fulfill the Law, and without forgiveness little progress can be made.”<ref>Kuan Yin, “Karma, Mercy, and the Law,” ''Pearls of Wisdom'', 1982, Book II, p. ''106''.</ref> Therefore, in order to reenter the walk with God, we need forgiveness. | ||
== The need for forgiveness == | == The need for forgiveness == | ||
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== The need to forgive == | == The need to forgive == | ||
If you expect forgiveness, then you must be ready to forgive seventy times seven, as the Master Jesus taught. “In small ways and in great ways, mankind are tested,” Kuan Yin says, “And the bigotry that remains in the consciousness of some is also a lack of forgiveness. Those who cannot forgive their fellowmen because they do not think or worship as they do—these have the hardness of heart that encases the flame of love and also prevents the flow of wisdom.”<ref>Kuan Yin, “Mercy: The Fire that Tries Every Man’s Works,” ''Pearls of Wisdom'', 1982, Book II, p. ''95''.</ref> | If you expect forgiveness, then you must be ready to forgive seventy times seven, as the Master Jesus taught. “In small ways and in great ways, mankind are tested,” Kuan Yin says, “And the bigotry that remains in the consciousness of some is also a lack of forgiveness. Those who cannot forgive their fellowmen because they do not think or worship as they do—these have the hardness of heart that encases the flame of love and also prevents the flow of wisdom.”<ref>Kuan Yin, “Mercy: The Fire that Tries Every Man’s Works,” ''Pearls of Wisdom'', 1982, Book II, p. ''95''.</ref> | ||
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The color violet has many hues ranging from the orchid-pink of mercy’s flame, containing a greater saturation of the pink ray of God’s love, to the deep-purple flame that embodies more of the blue of the will of God. The purple flame has a greater electronic cleansing action, which, when used alternately with the healing green decrees, will effectively purify and heal the [[four lower bodies]], especially the [[etheric body]] (the memory body) of the records of the past that may be buried deep within the subconscious. To invoke this flame, take any violet-flame decree and substitute the word “purple” for “violet.” Oftentimes it is more difficult to penetrate to the etheric body than to any of the other lower bodies, and therefore the repetition of a mantra thirty-six times can be very effective in clearing old records of past momentums. | The color violet has many hues ranging from the orchid-pink of mercy’s flame, containing a greater saturation of the pink ray of God’s love, to the deep-purple flame that embodies more of the blue of the will of God. The purple flame has a greater electronic cleansing action, which, when used alternately with the healing green decrees, will effectively purify and heal the [[four lower bodies]], especially the [[etheric body]] (the memory body) of the records of the past that may be buried deep within the subconscious. To invoke this flame, take any violet-flame decree and substitute the word “purple” for “violet.” Oftentimes it is more difficult to penetrate to the etheric body than to any of the other lower bodies, and therefore the repetition of a mantra thirty-six times can be very effective in clearing old records of past momentums. | ||
[[File:0000165_kuan-yin-by-ruth-hawkins-2108AX_600.jpeg|thumb|alt=Painting of Kuan Yin by Ruth Hawkins|Kuan Yin, by Ruth Hawkins]] | |||
== Service on the Karmic Board == | == Service on the Karmic Board == | ||
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{{POWref|31|57|, September 9, 1984}} | {{POWref|31|57|, September 9, 1984}} | ||
Elizabeth Clare Prophet, July 1, 1988. | |||
Elizabeth Clare Prophet, July 5, 1996. | |||
[[Category:Heavenly beings]] | [[Category:Heavenly beings]] | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||