Wonder Woman Vs Kuan Yin

[icy]

Remember The Wonder Woman TV show?  That character was and what she was about, which was peace, equality, challenging gender norms, power through strength, but strength of will.

Buddhism has a Wonder Woman: Kuan Yin. Originally, she was merely the female emanation of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, presented typically as male persona. However, in China, Kuan Yin came into her own as a strong female icon, the “Goddess of Mercy”.  In Tibetan Buddhism she is known as Chenrizig. 

Somehow during the assimilation into Chinese culture Kuan-yin Bodhisattva underwent a sexual transformation. The male Bodhisattva from India, Avalokitesvara, became a white-robed Chinese woman. In addition to the sex change, the female symbolism of the bodhisattva was expanded further by the addition of yin symbols (for example, moon, water, vase) from the yin-yang polarity of Chinese thought. In a Chinese culture dominated by Confucian social values, Chinese women saw this female symbol as particularly relevant to their problems as women.

But transcendence of gender is an ancillary function of Kuan Yin merely symbolical, for she is most useful to us in epitomizing the power of compassion as tool for transformation.  For Kuan Yin is mother to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas; Kuan Yin gives birth to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.  As a matter of fact there will not be and cannot be Buddhas and Bodhisattvas without compassion, the icon of Kuan Yin.

[icy]

Chinese carved coral Guan Yin sculpture sells for $66,550 at Elite Decorative Arts

A Chinese hand-carved red coral sculpture of four Guan Yin (Buddhist deities of mercy and compassion) from the Qing Dynasty, and a Chinese hand-carved red coral group figure depicting two Guan Yin with flowers throughout, each knocked down for $66,550 to share top lot honors at Elite Decorative Arts’ Nov. 2nd auction in Florida, USA.

More than 1,000 Internet bids were placed in an auction that attracted worldwide interest. People from as far away as Eastern Europe and Asia logged on to bid for items. All eight phone lines were kept busy as well. By the time the final hammer came down, the sale had grossed $735,000. “It was one of our better auctions, said Scott Cieckiewicz of Elite Decorative Arts.

The red coral sculpture grouping of the four Guan Yin stood just shy of 11 inches tall and was estimated to be from the Tongzhi reign (circa 1862-1874) of the Qing Dynasty. The lot included a certificate of antiquity from the Hong Kong Art Craft Merchants Association from 1985. It was appraised then for $50,000. Each figure was beautifully, meticulously hand-carved.

http://artdaily.com/imagenes/2013/11/09/elite-2.jpg

[lotus1]

In China and Japan, there is also Kuan Yin in the male form, eg
1. Northern Song Dynasty wood carving of Guanyin, c. 1025. Male bodhisattva depiction with Amit?bha Buddha crown.
2. Guanyin as a male bodhisattva. Eleven faced Ek?da?amukha form. Japan, 12th century

Whether is female form Kuan Yin or male form Chenrezig, I simply feel peaceful, safe and at ease looking at the pictures or statues of  Kuan Yin / Chenrezig. I think it is due to the compassion characteristic that Chenrezig that is projecting.

For me, a Buddha’s mind is the same, regardless is in female or male form. I believe it’s Buddha’s skillful mean to emanated in any form that it will best for Buddha to benefit others.

[Matibhadra]

The lot included a certificate of antiquity from the Hong Kong Art Craft Merchants Association from 1985.

It would be interesting to know whether the lot also included a certificate of not having been stolen and smuggled out from China by British-sponsored spies and plunderers, the likes of the Hungarian-Jewish born Aurel Stein, about whom it is said in relation to the assault to Dunhuang caves (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurel_Stein#Expeditions):

Stein's greatest discovery was made at the Mogao Caves also known as "Caves of the Thousand Buddhas", near Dunhuang in 1907. It was there that he discovered the Diamond Sutra, the world's oldest printed text which has a date (corresponding to AD 868), along with 40,000 other scrolls (all removed by gradually winning the confidence and bribing the Taoist caretaker). He acquired 24 cases of manuscripts and 4 cases of paintings and relics. He was knighted for his efforts, but he continues to be considered a great burglar and condemned to this day in China for the removal of countless priceless artifacts from the caves and serious damages caused to the sites.

[RedLantern]

Wonder Woman was created in 1942 by a male psychologist who believes that one day America would be matriarchy.The character of Wonder Woman which  was peace,equality,challenging gender norms,power through strength of will
Buddhism has a Wonder Woman: Kuan Yin.Originally she was merely the female emanation of bodhisattva Avalotiskeshvara, presented typically as male persona.Came into her own as a strong female icon in China as
"Goddess of Compassion".
Kuan Yin is still nearly always male,while among everyday folk, the bodhisattva is female.Kuan Yin is most useful to us in epitomizing the power of compassion as a tool of transformation.Rather than a cosmic being that exists above our everyday reality,Kuan Yin actually represents the universal capacity of all human beings to give love.Kuan Yin is an interior state of being that anyone,male or female can realize.

[Jessie Fong]

Kuan Yin is the bodhisattva of compassion, usually depicted as a female. In East Asia, she is associated with vegetarianism. Most Chinese vegetarian restaurants have her image appearing in pamphlets and magazines.

Kuan Yin is very popular in Asia and is known by many names:

*Gun Yam (Cantonese - HongKong and Macau)
*Kanon (Japan)
*Gwanse-eum (Korea)
*Kuan Im (Thailand)
*Quan Am (Vietnam)
*Dewi Kwan Im (Indonesia)


Guanyin Shan (Guanyin Mountain) in Dongguan, China

[Manisha Kudo]

Kuan Yin, The Bodhisatva Who Hears the Sufferings of all Sentient Beings. She is an epitome of compassion and never forget the most famous 6 - syllable mantra "Om Mani Peme Hum" is a mantra that rejoices in her energy and presence and very much related to Kuan Yin. And of course the ever amazing and beautiful Heart Sutra, a discourse on emptiness.

Here is something for all of you to enjoy! 

Prajna Paramita Hrdaya Sutram ? - The Blissful Heart ? ( Imee Ooi)	Small | Large

[diablo1974]

In the Chinese culture, Guan yin becomes popular since the Tang dynasty, Initial name was actually ?but was change to ??due to the Tang Emperor name was ? so the ?was omitted. The japanese and Korean depict Kuanyin in male form, we can see that from the early paintings. Up to now, everything regarding Guan yin is still popular and will continue its popularity in generations.

[cookie]

Here's how Avalokiteshvara became The Woman with 1000 Arms:

Avalokitesvara despaired as he looked down into the hells which were rapidly filling up again even though he had emptied them many times through his teachings.

He became so disheartened that his body shattered into thousands of pieces, true to his original vow.
He cried to the Buddhas for help.

Of the ones who came to him, one was one was Amitabha Buddha, who became his teacher and helped him take on a new form — a female one with a thousand hands to provide aid to those who suffered, and with the eyes of Wisdom in each of the palms.

And thus Avalokitesvara became the goddess Kuan Yin.

She would, this time as a female, renew his vow to bring compassion, mercy, and forgiveness to all.


 

[ilikeshugden]

Kuan Yin is the embodiment of compassion. I like how the Chinese transformed the male Avaloketishvara into a female Buddha. This symbolises that all genders are equal and all are capable of achieving enlightenment.

There is no Buddha that lacks compassion. Compassion is one of the bases of Buddhism. To achieve enlightenment, one must have compassion and wisdom!

[icy]

The Mantra of Great Compassion 'OM MANI PADME HUM'......

om mani padme hum	Small | Large

[samayakeeper]

It's very interesting to learn of the power of a Bodhisattva and Buddha who can change into any form so to benefit the beings of that region and time and realm. Quanyin or Chenrezig is just one of the many of the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas who have, over thousands of years, who have benefited countless beings through their compassion and wisdom. Neat! 

[icy]

You are your own master.  Have knowledge and method to transform our mind will greatly be meaningful reciting the great compassion mantra.

The meaning of OM MANI PADME HUM by the Dalai Lama:

The meaning of Om Mani Padme Hung by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

[Aurore]

Kuan Yin is the bodhisattva of compassion, usually depicted as a female. In East Asia, she is associated with vegetarianism. Most Chinese vegetarian restaurants have her image appearing in pamphlets and magazines.

I heard about this as well. Apparently, the chinese goes on a vegetarian diet every 1 and 15 of the chinese calendar month. Besides that, the followers of Kuan Yin in SEA countries do not eat beef as Guan Yin's father is sentenced to be reborn into a cow due to all the crimes he committed.

[Tenzin K]

Kwan Yin, Mother of Compassion in ancient Chinese culture, blows gently into your life, and should be welcomed as an eternal source of comfort and peace. Kwan Yin's values are about co-operation, sharing, balance, harmony and partnership; she is highly sensitive and aware.

Kwan Yin is light and weightless - the qualities that result from highly tuned vales of tolerance and acceptance.

HER MODERN ENERGY
She is here to tell you to release factors that inhibit you, that prevent you from connecting with others. Melt those walls of ice around your heart; forgive the person who you feel has committed a grievance against you; open your heart and radiate love so that love can come back to you.

DO THIS
Close your eyes in a tranquil space. Visualise Kwan Yin resting with the world on one shoulder, her cheek resting against it. She sees you, and you are drawn to the love radiating from her heart. She shows you how to take the world from your shoulders, hold it in your hands, and dance in joyful, carefree circles. You see the earth's water rippling, the leaves in the trees blowing, the birds soaring without effort. Know this is happening purely thanks to your joy.

When you walk through each day, remember Kwan Yin's presence whenever you see the soaring birds, the rustling leaves, the rippling waters. Use these triggers as a reminder to take the world off your shoulders, and to dance with abandon, with your face to the skies and your arms in the air.