FREE BODHISATTVA OF COMPASSION THE MYSTICAL TRADITION OF KUAN YIN 1ST EDITION PDF John Blofeld | 9781590307359 | | | | | Guanyin - Wikipedia Goodreads Link. I came across Kwan Yin Bodhisattva some time ago — one of my Buddhist friends introduced her to me. Bodhisattva of Compassion The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin 1st edition was interesting to see a prominent Buddhist figure who had gone from a male from Avalokiteshvara to female, some trans Buddhist folk I know see that as a really big thing for what I assume should be obvious reasons. This book is more like a collection of anecdotes than anything else. He begins by telling us how his quest began — specifically that a bronze statue addressed him in a temple once. What follows is an examination of Kwan Yin from as many perspectives as possible. We learn about the manifestations of Kwan Yin — from Buddhist figure to Chinese mythical princess. Then Bodhisattva of Compassion The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin 1st edition look at her origins in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism and her possible origins and a combination of Tara and Avalokiteshvara. Then we have some chapters on her history as the subject of Chinese folk tales, sacred rites and practices, meditations and so on. Each chapter is presented as either first hand information or recollection of stories the author was told by people he has discussed the topic with. I liked the first half of this book or so. I particularly enjoyed the section where Blofeld discussed — at length — the connection between Kwan Yin and Tara. The last chapter. I bought this book with my own money for my own reasons. The opinions contained within are my own and have not been influenced by any external entity! I'm 28, I love reading and music. I'm an aspiring author and a sub-par digital artist. Please enjoy my Bodhisattva of Compassion The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin 1st edition website. View all posts by Ragdoll Reads. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account. You are commenting using your Facebook account. Notify me of new comments via email. Notify me of new posts via email. Skip to content Goodreads Link Interesting, if a little confusing. The Book… This book is more like a collection of anecdotes than anything else. What I liked… I liked the first half of this book or so. What I disliked… The last chapter. Like this: Like Loading Published by Ragdoll Reads. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here Please log in using one of these methods to post your comment:. Email required Address never made public. Name required. Post to Cancel. Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin by John Blofeld Guan Yin is one of the most popular deities of East Asia. Then Bodhisattva of Compassion The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin 1st edition was slowly blended with uniquely indigenous Chinese elements. Although often over-simplified as simply an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, Guan Yin is actually a uniquely Chinese goddess who synthesizes Buddhist, Daoist, Confucian, and Skip to main content Skip to table of contents. This service is more advanced with JavaScript available. Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion Edition. Contents Search. Guan Yin. How to cite. This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access. Blofeld, J. Bodhisattva of compassion: The mystical tradition of Kuan Yin. Boston, MA: Shambhala. Google Scholar. Boucher, S. Discovering Kwan Yin. Boston, MA: Beacon. Campany, R. The real presence. History of religions32 3— The earliest tales of the Bodhisattva Guanshiyin. In Donald S. Lopez, Jr. Chamberlayne, J. Numen9 1 45— Despeux, C. Women in Daoism. Kuo-lin Lethcoe, Ed. Retrieved on May 19, Palmer, M. Kuan Yin: Myths and revelations of the Chinese Goddess of compassion. Perkins, D. Encyclopedia of China. Sangren, P. Schenker, D. Kuan Yin: Accessing the power of the feminine. Boulder, CO: Sounds True. Stein, R. Tay, C. Kuan-Yin: The cult of half Asia. History of Religions16 2— Monkey: A journey to the West. Kherdian, Ed. Yu, Chun-fang. Kuan-Yin: The Chinese transformation of Avalokitesvara. New York: Columbia University Press. Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin | Pilgrims Book House Guanyin also refers to the bodhisattva as adopted by other Eastern religions. Guanyin's abode and bodhimanda in India is recorded as being on Mount Potalaka. With the localization of the belief in Guanyin, each area adopted Bodhisattva of Compassion The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin 1st edition own Potalaka. In China, Putuoshan is considered the bodhimanda of Guanyin. Naksansa is considered to be the Potalaka of Guanyin in Korea. Japan's Potalaka is located at Fudarakusan-ji. Tibet's Potalaka is the Potala Palace. There are several pilgrimage centers for Guanyin in East Asia. Putuoshan is the main pilgrimage site in China. There is a 33 temple Guanyin pilgrimage in Korea which includes Naksansa. In Japan there are several pilgrimages associated with Guanyin. The oldest one of them is the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimagea pilgrimage through 33 temples with Guanyin shrines. Guanyin is beloved by all Buddhist traditions in a non-denominational way and found in most Tibetan temples under the name Chenrezig. Guanyin is also beloved and worshiped in the temples in Nepal. The Hiranya Varna Mahavihar located in Patan is one example. Statues of Guanyin are a widely depicted subject of Asian art and found in the Asian art sections of most museums in the world. However, the original form was indeed Avalokitasvara with the ending svara "sound, noise"which means "sound perceiver", literally Bodhisattva of Compassion The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin 1st edition who looks down upon sound" i. The original form Avalokitasvara appears in Sanskrit fragments of the fifth century. Due to the devotional popularity of Guanyin in Asia, she is known by many names, most of which are simply the localised pronunciations of "Guanyin" or "Guanshiyin":. In these same countries, the variant Guanzizai "Lord of Contemplation" and its equivalents are also used, such as in the Heart Sutraamong other sources. This chapter is devoted Bodhisattva of Compassion The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin 1st edition Avalokitesvara, describing him as a compassionate bodhisattva who hears the cries of sentient beings, and who works tirelessly to help those who call upon his name. 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 without gender. A total of 33 different manifestations of Avalokitasvara are described, including female manifestations, all to suit the minds of various beings. Chapter 25 consists of both a prose and a verse section. Representations of the bodhisattva in China prior to the Song dynasty — 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. 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. On occasion, Guanyin is also depicted holding an infant in order to further stress the relationship between the bodhisattva, maternity, and birth. In some Buddhist temples and monasteries, Guanyin's image is occasionally that of a young man dressed in Northern Song 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 generally portrayed as a young woman wearing a flowing white robe, and usually also necklaces symbolic of Indian or Chinese royalty. In her left hand is a jar containing pure water, and Bodhisattva of Compassion The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin 1st edition right holds a willow branch. There are also regional variations of Guanyin depictions. In Fujianfor example, a popular depiction of Guanyin is as a maiden dressed in Tang hanfu 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 and flanked by two children or two warriors. The two children are her acolytes who came to her when she was meditating at Mount Putuo. The two warriors are the historical general Guan Yu from the late Han dynasty and the bodhisattva Skandawho appears in the Chinese classical novel Fengshen Yanyi. 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. He is the one who is the dharma protector and who restores the peace in the world. His idols and temples are mostly found in mountains and hilly terrains Kurunji regions. They are valuable and considered as sacred some people say it contains medical properties to cure many diseases since the idol was made with secret herbs. In the Karandavyuha SutraBodhisattva of Compassion The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin 1st edition is called "The One with a Thousand Arms and Thousand eyes" and is described as superior to Bodhisattva of Compassion The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin 1st edition gods and buddhas of the Indian pantheon. The Sutra also states that "it is easier to count all the leaves of every tree of every forest and all the grains of sand in Bodhisattva of Compassion The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin 1st edition universe than to count the blessings and power of Avalokiteshwara".