KUAN YIN, PATRON GODDESS OF MOTHERS:
It is an undeniable fact that Malaysian Buddhists of Chinese descent from all schools, as well as the Confucianists and Taoists, pay great veneration to Kuan Yin P'usa, or the Goddess of Mercy, and to a varying degree pay homage to her in their homes and in their respective temples. To them, whatever her origin may be - as the Indian God Avalokitesvara, introduced into China by Indian Buddhist monks who brought the Buddha's teachings to their country, or as the princess Miao Shan who was deified on account of her incomparable filial piety to her father - it is of no consequence. It is her infinite compassion and her vow as a Bodhi-sattva not to enter into Buddhahood until all suffering sentient beings on earth have been liberated that have any meaning to them. In Malaysia, her popularity goes beyond any denominational limits. Her images are to be found in all " Buddhist temples - Mahayana, Theravada and Vaji-rayana - although her position of prominence varies. Moreover, her cult is not confined only to Buddhists, for her image has also become a common sight in non-Buddhist temples. Some say that the Taoists created their goddess Tin Hou (Queen of Heaven), so that her popularity could overshadow that of Kuan Yin, but today, we can see the images of both Kuan Yin and Tin Hou being given equal prominence in Taoist temples. Therefore many Chinese have strong devotion towards them.
Kuan Shih Yin, one who hears the cry or prayer of the world, was at one time represented as a man, but during the Tang dynasty (618-907 A.D.), he became a woman, and has been so represented since that time. In the olden days, Sakyamuni Buddha was the chief god of the Buddhists in China, and He occupied the seat of honour in all Buddhist temples. However, since Kuan Shih Yin became the most popular deity in the Buddhist pantheon, she has almost eclipsed Sakyamuni Buddha. In most Mahayana Buddhist temples, Sakyamuni Buddha occupies the central position in the main shrine hall, flanked by Amitabha Buddha (Buddha of Limitless Life and Creator of Pure Land, the Western Paradise or Sukhavati) and Bhaisajya Guru (the Healing Buddha and Creator of Eastern Paradise). In between the Buddha images, we see the images of Mahakassapa and Ananda, known to the Mahayanists as the first and second Buddhist Patriarchs17. Behind the Buddha images, are to be seen the image of Kuan Shih Yin ' Bodhisattva (Personification of Compassion) flanked by Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, or Pu Hsien P'usa (Personification of Happiness) and Manjusri Bodhisattva, or Wen Shu P'usa (Personification of Wisdom). In between the images of the Bodhisattvas are the images of Shan Ts'ai (Golden Youth) and Lung Nii (Jade Girl) who attend on Kuan Shih Yin. In temples purely dedicated to Kuan Shih Yin, her image stands supreme, while the image of Sakyamuni Buddha occupies a minor position. In Theravada and Vajirayana Buddhist temples, the image of Kuan Shih Yin is not given prominence.
Kuan Yin is often regarded as the Patron Goddess of Mothers. One can understand why this is so when one remembers how valuable is a son in the eyes of the Chinese. Young married couples usually pray to her for an offspring, pregnant women for a son and mothers for the good health of their children. Mothers usually ask Kuan Yin for sons but if a daughter is born, she will be beautiful. Even the men love her, and children adore her while women chant her prayers, 'Namo Kuan Shih Yin P'usa' daily. No Chinese home is without an image of her, and in many, many hearts she sits enshrined. An old Chinese saying quotes her as 4 the model of Chinese beauty, and to say that a lady or a little girl is a ' Kuan Yin ' is the highest compliment that can be paid to grace and loveliness. '* The Chinese often refer to her as the Buddhist saviour. Many Buddhist mothers consider it a great honour to give their children to Kuan Yin for 'adoption'. A simple ceremony of 'adoption' is performed in a temple dedicated to her with the offering of flowers and fruits, and burning of candles and incense-sticks. The mother humbly and with the greatest of veneration requests Kuan Yin to accept the child as Her godchild, to shower Her love, mercy and compassion and keep the child always in good health. A small image of Kuan Yin attached to a chain is worn round the neck of the child to give it constant protection. Children who are mischievous and who are frequently sick are usually offered to Kuan Yin for 'adoption' in the belief that through Her compassion, mercy and love, the children will grow up to become strong and healthy, well-behaved and well-disciplined.
It is believed that in the midst of a fire, if the name of Kuan Yin is called, the fire will not spread. Her compassion is said to extend to the worst of evil-doers, though of course she never assists them in their pursuit of evil. She will always endeavour to turn evil to good. Although it has been the custom of the Chinese to make offerings of meat and wine to their gods, but to Kuan Yin, this is never done, for to do this would be considered blasphemous. Even then, if such offerings are made in ignorance, they are accepted, since she always shows great compassion to her devotees.
*quotation from "Myths and Legends of China" by E.T.C. Werners
Tan Teik Beng - Beliefs and P
