For centuries, Kuan Yin has epitomized the great ideal of Mahayana Buddhism in her role as "bodhisattva” who has foregone the bliss of Nirvana. She vows to save all children of God and to help them attained enlightenment.
Kuan Yin's name is a translation of the Sanskrit name of her chief predecessor who is Avalokitesvara and which in plain English means "She who heeds to the cries of the world". In Cambodia, I found a representation of the Avalokitesvara on the gopura or gateways of Angkor Thom, and at the famous Bayon temple, for King Jayavarman VII of Angkor was a Mahayana Buddhist; nowadays however, Cambodia's principal religion is Theravada Buddhism. The original Avalokitesvara is regarded as asdrogynous, that is to say, neither male nor female. According to Malacca historian Josephine Chua, the Avalokitesvara was a male, but took on a female from so that he can better sympathise with human sufferings and provide compassion.
She is often frequently portrayed as a slender woman in flowing white robes who carries in one hand a white lotus and a string of prayer beads in the other hand signifying a symbol of purity, devotion and compassion. Many figures of Kuan Yin can be identified by the presence of a small
image of Amitabha in her crown. With Kuan Yin merciful presence, even those who need to be served a severe punishment will be spared. In her eyes, compassion is much stronger than
punishment.
Kuan Yin's name is a translation of the Sanskrit name of her chief predecessor who is Avalokitesvara and which in plain English means "She who heeds to the cries of the world". In Cambodia, I found a representation of the Avalokitesvara on the gopura or gateways of Angkor Thom, and at the famous Bayon temple, for King Jayavarman VII of Angkor was a Mahayana Buddhist; nowadays however, Cambodia's principal religion is Theravada Buddhism. The original Avalokitesvara is regarded as asdrogynous, that is to say, neither male nor female. According to Malacca historian Josephine Chua, the Avalokitesvara was a male, but took on a female from so that he can better sympathise with human sufferings and provide compassion.
She is often frequently portrayed as a slender woman in flowing white robes who carries in one hand a white lotus and a string of prayer beads in the other hand signifying a symbol of purity, devotion and compassion. Many figures of Kuan Yin can be identified by the presence of a small
image of Amitabha in her crown. With Kuan Yin merciful presence, even those who need to be served a severe punishment will be spared. In her eyes, compassion is much stronger than
punishment.