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Guan Yin
Guanyin () is a common Chinese name of the Bodhisattva associated with compassion known as Avalokiteśvara (). Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, which means "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World". Originally regarded as male in Indian Buddhism, Guanyin has been more commonly depicted as female in China and most of East Asia since about the 12th century. Due to sociogeographical factors, Guanyin may also be historically depicted as genderless or androgynous. On the 19th day of the sixth lunar month, Guanyin's attainment of Buddhahood is celebrated. Guanyin has been incorporated in othe
Key facts
- Deity.type
- Chinese
- Deity.image
- Kuan-yan bodhisattva, Northern Sung dynasty, China, c. 1025, wood, Honolulu Academy of Arts.jpg
- Deity.caption
- Wood carving of Guanyin with Amitābha on their crown. Northern Song dynasty,
- Deity.deity_of
- Goddess of Mercy
- Deity.symbols
- VaseWillow branch
- Deity.abode
- Mount Putuo
- Deity.venerated_in
- BuddhismTaoismChinese folk religionYiguandao
- Deity.animals
- White parrot
- Chinese.s
- 观音
- Chinese.t
- 觀音
- Chinese.w
- Kuan1-yin1
- Chinese.p
- Guānyīn
Article
27 sectionsContents
- Etymology and usage
- Avalokitasvara
- Avalokiteśvara
- Names in other Asian languages
- Depiction
- Lotus Sūtra
- Iconography
- Localization of Guanyin in East Asia
- Manifestations of Guanyin
- Miaoshan
- Guanyin and Shancai
- Guanyin and Longnü
- Guanyin and the Filial Parrot
- Guanyin and Chen Jinggu
- Quan Âm Thị Kính
- Other manifestations of Guanyin
- Role in East Asian Buddhism
- Association with vegetarianism
- Role in other Eastern religions
- Similarity to the Virgin Mary
- Gallery
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Citations
- Sources
- External links
Guanyin () is a common Chinese name of the Bodhisattva associated with compassion known as Avalokiteśvara (). Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, which means "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World". Originally regarded as male in Indian Buddhism, Guanyin has been more commonly depicted as female in China and most of East Asia since about the 12th century. Due to sociogeographical factors, Guanyin may also be historically depicted as genderless or androgynous. On the 19th day of the sixth lunar month, Guanyin's attainment of Buddhahood is celebrated. Guanyin has been incorporated in other religions, including Taoism and Chinese folk religion.
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 Sukhāvatī. 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 mentioned in the universal gate chapter of the Lotus Sutra and the Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra.