The compendium of master yin kuangs letters excerpts of which are. At that time inexhaustible intention bodhisattva rose from his seat, uncovered his right shoulder, placed his palms together, and facing the. The king avalokitesvara kuan yin sutra the king avalokitesvara kuan yin sutra 5. He is one of the characters in the longer sutra on which the heart sutra is based. The name guan yin also spelt guan yim, kuan yim, kwan im, or kuan yin, is a short form for kuanshi yin, meaning observing the sounds or cries of the human world. It endeavors to clarify the name and idea and elucidate the basic sutras the lotus. Even the husk of the chestnut, carried away by the flood floats only after it has given itself up. The kannon sutra is actually the 25th chapter of the lotus sutra. To begin, the transformation of himher from a figure of mainstream mahayana tradition, in the pure land school and texts such as the lotus sutra, to the chinese goddess of compassion is. Jun 14, 2014 the principle of reciting the holy name of gwan yin bodhisattva the practice is from chapter 25 of the lotus sutra called the universal door. Several large temples in east asia are dedicated to guanyin including shitennoji, sensoji, kiyomizudera, sanjusangendo, shaolin, dharma drum. Kuanyin with great sincerity and prayed that it would change direction or reduce its. The bodhisattva is described as princely and heroic in some scriptures, although in the lotus sutra there is reference to his feminine manifestations. I used to do this practice, just following along in the temple, without realizing that it was an actual.
Each of the eight items discussed can be a subject of meditation, and each of these subjects can be further divided. Miracle tales and the domestication of kuanyin journal of. Jan 10, 2018 the great compassion mantra of avalokitesvara kuan yin is a dharani to be recited for purification, protection, and healing. Sutra, but theuniversal gateway chapter of the lotus sutra is by far the favorite. Guan yin forme feminine du bodhisattva avalokiteshvara. The cult of half asia national chengchi university. Bodhisattva avalokitesvara namo kuan yin pu sa the chinese name guanyin kuan yin is short for guanshiyin, which means the one who perceives the sounds of the world. Kuan yin also spelled guan yin, kwan yin is the bodhisattva of compassion venerated by east asian buddhists. The chinese translation of many buddhist sutras has in fact replaced the. This sutra is entirely in accord with both the mahayana and theravada traditions. Gateway chapter of the lotus sutra and the ching kuanyin ching which.
The lotus sutra translated by burton watson including rev. In chinese buddhism, guan yin is synonymous with the bodhisattva avalokitesvara, the. Id like to share with you a free downloadable copy of the text preformatted to the standard a5 trim size with gutter. The principle of reciting the holy name of gwan yin bodhisattva. Kuan yin, the ancient chinese goddess of compassion, is the principal goddess in the eastern firmament. Sources for the cult of kuan yin in china yu chunfang associate professor, rutgers university summary the bodhisattva kuan yin is also known as kuan shih yin or kuan tzutsai, among other names. The name guan yin also spelt guan yim, kuan yim, kwan im, or kuan yin, is a short form for kuan shi yin, meaning observing the sounds or cries of the human world. Guan yin bodhisattva was held in june of 1970 at the buddhist. Because of the great authority and prestige of these two.
This paper attempts to examine the concept of kuanyin in its cultural setting. Chapter 25 of the lotus sutra is called kuanyins universal gate. Guanyin is often referred to as the most widely beloved buddhist divinity with miraculous powers to assist all those who pray to her, as is said in the lotus sutra and karandavyuha sutra. This article traces the concept of kuan yin the buddhist goddess of compassion. Id like to share with you a free downloadable copy of the text preformatted to the standard a5 trim size with gutter and mirror margins for binding. Mar 22, 2001 the causes and processes of this metamorphosis have perplexed buddhist scholars for centuries.
Avalokitesvarasamantamukhaparivarta the kannon sutra is actually. Mantras associated with avalokiteshvara aka quan yin. Perfection of transcendent wisdom is part of the mahayana buddhist literature. A gate in buddhism is an entrance to the dharma and a beginning toward awakening. Buddha describes the masculine form of the bodhisattva, allowing for seven references to the feminine form. Guanyin is the most widely beloved buddhist bodhisattva. Avalokitesvara is called kuanyin in china and kannon in japan. Here is the text of the heart sutra followed by commentary in the universal language of mind. There is no suffering, no cause, no extinction, no path. Aug 19, 2018 therefore, in any discussion of the guanyin cult, the lotus sutra, the heart sutra, the thousandhanded and thousandeyed sutra, the surangama sutra lengyen ching and the pure land sutras larger and smaller sukhavativyuha sutras and the meditation sutra occupy pride of place. Avalokiteshvara, bodhisattva of compassion introduction.
Kuan yin, the compassionate rebel exotic india art. The story of the dragon kings daughter, who attained enlightenment in the 12th devadatta chapter of the lotus sutra, appears in the complete tale of avalokitesvara and the southern seas and the precious scroll of. Miracle stories about kuanyin began to be compiled in the fourth cent ury and continue. The name changed as the bodhisattva absorbed some of the. A bodhisattva is someone who seeks enlightenment for all people.
As the lotus sutra tells us that kuan yin has many aspects and can manifest in many forms with many names. She specializes in the composition and arrangement of music for classical buddhist chant, mantra, and dharani in sanskrit, pali, tibetan, and mandarin. Kuan yin is the universal gateway to the path of compassion, and through mindfulness of kindness, understanding, and compassion, the ocean of fire is transformed into a cool, refreshing lotus pond. Table of contents a complete buddhist sutra collection. Avolakitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, meditating deeply on perfection of wisdom, saw clearly that the five aspects of human existence are empty, and so. Chapter 25 of the lotus sutra is called kuan yin s universal gate. Svara means sounds and the name avalokitasvara means regarder of sounds or cries which is how the name often appears in english translations of the chinese lotus sutra for instance. Therefore, in any discussion of the guanyin cult, the lotus sutra, the heart sutra, the thousandhanded and thousandeyed sutra, the surangama sutra lengyen ching and the pure land sutras larger and smaller sukhavativyuha sutras and. In this groundbreaking, comprehensive study, chunfang yu discusses this dramatic transformation of the male indian bodhisattva avalokitesvara into the female chinese kuanyinfrom a relatively minor figure in the buddhas retinue to a.
Kuan yin begins in chapter 25 of the lotus sutra is called the universal door of guanshiyin bodhisattva. With very few exceptions the readings in these two editions are almost. Kuan yin is considered to be the feminine form of the indian bodhisattva of compassion, avalokitesvara, which is a male. Guan shi yin pu sa, homage to kuan yin bodhisattva na mo fo, homage to the buddhas, na mo fa, homage to the dharma, na mo seng, homage to the sangha. Although kuan yin is associated with rescues from fear and danger in other sutras, it is in chapter 25 of the lotus sutra that we learn, in detail, the ten great deliverance salvations and protections of avalokiteshvara. Bodhisattva guan yin, which means the observer of sounds, is also. The story of the dragon kings daughter, who attained enlightenment in the 12th devadatta chapter of the lotus sutra, appears in. It talks about karuna the central philosophy underlying buddhism and how kuan yin symbolizes it. Focusing on the various media through which the feminine kuanyin became constructed and domesticated in china, yu thoroughly examines buddhist scriptures, miracle stories, pilgrimages, popular literature, and monastic and local gazetteers as well as the changing iconography reflected in kuanyins images and artistic representations to. O som misterioso do nome kuan yin e sagrado como o estrondo. Seven sutras that are related to bodhisattva avalokitesvara lotus happiness.
Miracle stories about kuanyin began to be compiled in the fourth century and. I had been studying with tai chi and calligraphy master julie lim, and she gave me a golden pendant with kuan yin standing on a large lotus flower. Great compassion mantra the great compassion mantra of avalokitesvara kuan yin is a dharani to be recited for purification, protection, and healing. Lotus societies, nienfo buddha recitation societies, and others of a similar nature sprang up all over china. The heart sutra annotations 3 the heart 1 of prajna 3 paramita 4 sutra 2 bodhisattva 5 avalokiteshvara 6, while deeply immersed 7 in prajna paramita, clearly perceived the empty nature 8 of the five skandhas9, and transcended all suffering. Ambiguity of avalokitesvara and the scriptural sources for the cult. In tibetan buddhism, the dalai lama is said to be the reincarnation of bodhisattva avalokitesvara. There are many stories of kuan yins miraculous appearances at putuo mountain. Kuan yins popularity grew with the translation and dissemination of the lotus sutra, a sanskrit text central to the founding of mahayana buddhism in the first centuries of the common era. Regarded as the best known of all sutras, the heart sutra speaks to the interconnectedness of all life through honoring space. Stories about kuanyins miraculous responses are also found very frequently among them.
Guan yin and the ten great protections of the goddess of. This is perhaps the most widely used mantra of guan yin in china, at par with guan yins root mantra, om mani padme hum. Listen to yourselfguan dd buddhist text translation society. One of the most famous texts associated with the bodhisattva, the ancient lotus sutra whose twentyfifth chapter, dedicated to kwan yin, is known as the kwan yin sutra, describes thirteen cases of impending disasterfrom shipwreck to fire, imprisonment, robbers, demons, fatal poisons and karmic woesin which the devotee will be rescued if.
The lotus sutra is regarded by many others as a religious classic of great beauty and p. Kuan yin traveling the path of compassion i first met kuan yin, the goddess of healing and compassion, more than twelve years ago. This is most appropriate, for guanyin indeed is a main. When the buddha had finished preaching this sutra, he sat with his legs crossed in lotus position and entered into the samadhi of the place of immeasurable meanings, his body.
Homage to the sacred name of kuan yin standing on a lotus petal. Wherever there are chinese or japanese speaking people in the world in homes, restaurants, workplaces, small urban temples and shrines kuan yin s image can be found. Kwan yin actually translates an earlier version of the name of this bodhisattva. The lotus sutra has inspired a branch of folklore based on figures in the sutra or subsequent people who have embraced it. In chinese buddhism, guan yin is synonymous with the bodhisattva avalokitesvara. Great compassion mantra, free book download benebell. Ten types of salvation by guan yin in the lotus sutra bodhisattva avalokitesvara, also known as guan yin chinese, kannon japanese, chenrezig tibetan, or goddess of mercy, is one of the most renowned and popular bodhisattva in east asian buddhism, particularly chinese and tibetan buddhism. Another sutra that is associated with guan yin is the great compassionate. Saddharmapuarikasutra scripture of the white lotus of the marvelous law into chinese in 406 c. In chinese buddhism, guan yin is synonymous with the bodhisattva avalokitesvara, the pinnacle of mercy, compassion, kindness and love.
Mar 05, 2017 10 devotional music of guan yin by imee ooi imee ooi huang hui yin is a chinesemalaysian music composer, record producer, and singer. The dharani represents the spoken words of kuan yin as she recites the names of deities from many pantheons. Millions of devotees around the world call on the name of guan yin kuanyin goddess of mercy, in times of need, fear, or despair. Yin kuang and his followers brought about an extensive revival of the pure land school. Par excellence the mantra of protection kwan yin, makes us untouchable.
Although kuanyin appears in many sutras, the lotus sutra is the only sutra that includes a significant story about kuanyin. Although kuan yin appears in many sutras, the lotus sutra is the only sutra that includes a significant story about kuan yin. Gene reeves gave a dharma talk on kuanyins universal. Lotus sutra, sanskrit saddharmapuarikasutra, lotus of the good law or true doctrine sutra, one of the earlier mahayana buddhist texts venerated as the quintessence of truth by the japanese tendai chinese tientai and nichiren sects. According to one scholar, the promise of the lotus. The name kuan yin is short for kuan shih yin guan shi yin which means observing the sounds of the world. The lotus sutra is regarded by many others as a religious classic of great beauty and power and one of the most important and most.
Aside from her bestknown role as compassion embodied she is, after all, none other than avalokiteshvara she also protects. There are many stories of kuan yin s miraculous appearances at putuo mountain. She is said to be a chinese version of the buddhist god avalokiteshvara and is in a way similar to tara. The great compassion mantra of avalokitesvara kuan yin is a dharani to be recited for purification, protection, and healing.
On the back was an engraving from the heart sutra, a beloved. There is a sacred place for the worship of kuan yin in china the putuo mountain. Commonly known as the goddess of mercy, kuan yin is also revered by chinese taoists as an immortal. Bodhisattva is sanskrit meaning enlightened being or spirit. Kuan yin and the pumen chapter of the lotus sutra comments the lotus sutra, which states. The taraka yoga of kuan yin receiving your inner teacher by gael oguinn.
Homage to the sacred name of kuan yins spiritual mantle. Th e sutra of the medicine buddha is among the most popular texts in east asia, along with the amitabha, the ksitigarbha and the lotus sutras. Sources for the cult of kuanyin in china yu chunfang associate professor, rutgers university summary the bodhisattva kuanyin is also known as kuanshihyin or kuantzutsai, among other names. The principle of reciting the holy name of gwan yin.
Saddharmapundarika sutra, another im portant early. The principle of reciting the holy name of gwan yin bodhisattva the practice is from chapter 25 of the lotus sutra called the universal door. Highly recommended in times of danger, and cures for all children. It is actually an island located near the city of ningpo, in zhejiang province. One thought on 10 types of salvation by guan yin in the lotus sutra. Ambiguity of avalokitesvara and the scriptural sources for.
Fo guo you yuan, fo fa xiang yin, an affinity with the pure lands opens the dharma doors, chang le wo jing, you yuan fo fa. The king avalokitesvara kuan yin sutra there are a number of varying versions of this sutra that have had wide popular appeal in china and south east asia over many centuries which have been copied. Na mo is a salutation, borrowed from sanskrit compare namaste. She specializes in the composition and arrangement of music for classical buddhist chant, mantra, and. By way of prajna paramita, the bodhisattvas mind is free from hindrances. The chinese edition of the sutra of the vast, great, perfect, full, unimpeded, great compassion heart dharani of the thousandhanded, thousandeyed bodhisattva who regards the worlds sounds includes a section devoted to kuan yins fortytwo. I used to do this practice, just following along in the temple, without realizing that it was an actual legitimate practice because its so simple coming from one of the kings of sutras. Homage to the sacred name of kuan yin s spiritual mantle. Th is new translation, freely available to all seekers, includes the oral comments of several contemporary senior monks. Guan yin, guan shih yin, quan yin, guanyin, kuanin avalokitesvara mazu, ama, matsu goddess of the southern sea kwannon japan the asian santa maria one who hears the cries of the world sungtzuniangniang lady who brings children the maternal goddess the observer of all sounds bodhisattava of compassion the thousandhand kuanyin.
The king avalokitesvara kuan yin sutra created date. Download full book in pdf, epub, mobi and all ebook format. In translating the chinese text into english we used the kasuga edition of kumarajivas version of the lotus sutra as the basic text, rather than the taisho edition. Lotus sutra, lotus of the good law or true doctrine sutra, one of the earlier mahayana buddhist texts venerated as the quintessence of truth by the japanese tendai chinese tientai and nichiren sects. Gateway chapter of the lotus sutra and the ching kuanyin ching which was.
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