Meet Guan Yin

This gender-ambiguous Buddhist figure is associated with compassion

Back in the 1st century BCE, Guan Yin was introduced in the Buddhist sutras. Originally, Guan Yin was thought to be a male hero in India, then later described as Goddess of Mercy and Compassion in China. Many images and statues depict Guan Yin wearing a golden crown and earrings, and dressed in flamboyant outfits. The name Guan Yin symbolises someone who can ‘see’ sound, which means being able to hear the voices of people suffering, and Guan Yin acts as a light that saves the world. There is a saying associated with Guan Yin: ‘If you want to be a Bodhisattva like me, you should dress up lavishly and be wise and strong, so people will respect you. That way, you can give guidance and save more people.’ A teaching in the sutra…

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Spirit & Destiny (Digital) - 1 Issue, June 2022

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