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Quan Yin is the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion in Buddhism. She is known as Kannon in Japanese, Guan Yin in Chinese, Chenrezig in Tibetan and Avalokite'svara in Sanskrit. Avalokite'svara and Chenrezig are usually depicted as a male or androgynous, while Quan Yin, Kannon and Guan Yin are female. Illustration left is Kannon.
Guan Yin (, pinyin guanyin, Wade-Giles: kuan-yin) is an exact translation of Avalokitasvara (, Sanskrit). The prefix "ava" = down; "lokita = "to notice, behold, observe and "svara = "sound, noise or sound perceiver. Literally "he who perceives sound (or hears the cries of sentient beings who need help)." From Tibetan Chenrezig translates as "chen = "eye; "re = "continuity and" zig" = to look. From this one can derive the meaning "he who always looks upon all beings (with the eye of compassion). "Illustration right is Avalokite'svara.
According to legend, Quan Yin was born into this world as Miao Shan, the daughter of a king of the Chou Dynasty (1050-256 B.C.). Another legend says, in a previous time a devoted, compassionate monk became a Bodhisattva, who later became Avalokite'svara. Most of the Buddhas and Boddhisattvas have a living breathing man or woman associated with them. This shows humanities ability to become enlightened with dedicated practice.
In the Buddhist teachings, Avalokite'svara Bodhisattva postponed his own Buddhahood and vowed to end suffering by listening to and assisting every sentient being to attain enlightenment.
Lama Jigme a Tibetan Buddhist monk explains, "No matter how you address the Buddha of Compassion (by which name), the Buddha of Compassion is still the Buddha of Compassion." He says about the mantra, "Chenrezig's Six-syllable mantra, Om Ma-ni Pad-me Hum, is the compassionate wisdom of all the Buddhas manifested as sound. Illustration right is Chenrezig.
Bokar Rinpoche writes, "Every person whose heart is moved by love and compassion, who deeply and sincerely acts for the benefit of others without concern for fame, profit, social position, or recognition expresses the activity of Chenrezig."
Duane, Reiki Teacher says I've always found the theory that Quan Yin, Mother Mary, Isis, Avalokite'svara, Kannon and even Ha Hai-i Wuhti of Hopi Indian lore (amongst many others) are all actually one and the same manifesting at different times, to different cultures in an attempt to bolster the belief that love and compassion are amongst the stronger powers known to man to be quite fascinating."
Interesting indeed... let's take that a step further... ultimately we are all One. This implies that you and I are One, as well you and Quan Yin are One. And Quan Yin and I are One... as she and every sentient being are One. We humans just don't recognize this. We have forgotten and see ourselves as separate from everything and everyone. Isolated and alone... we suffer. This is an illusion! We simply have forgotten our connectedness and our own Sacredness.
A few Souls incarnate with full remembrance. Some of them we recognize and call 'Buddhas, Avatars, Saints or Messengers of God'. They are us... walking, breathing, talking reminders who impart knowledge. They show us 'Who We Truly Are'. But we only see their Specialness or Godliness, put them on pedestals and end up worshiping them. We create entire religions full of dogmas based on their messages. We think so little of ourselves that we couldn't possibly be 'THAT'. So we worship it, rather then remembering, emulating and becoming 'THAT' ourselves.
Even if we have the understanding we are 'THAT', we still don't fully believe. For if we did... when we do... we will walk not only in the footsteps of the Great Masters... we will be the One's creating the footsteps. All we have to do is set aside our beliefs, forget all we have learned, feel our connectedness and just be... in this moment.
We are all Love and Compassion in beautiful diversity. If we all walked this, imagine the wondrous, magical things we'd create together. Reiki helps us remember, builds our compassion and love, and reconnects us to the Gift of Spirit. Thanks Usui Sensei for this great gift!
~Bonnee
"This blog post was inspired by '"Reiki Sense of Compassion"' by Duane Flowers"
Origin: candle-magic.blogspot.com
WHO IS HOTEI BUDDHA?
Depending on what legend you read, Hotei Buddha is either a Japanese God of Luck or a Zen Monk known for his cheerful and generous nature. To further complicate matters, Hotei Buddha (also known as the Laughing Buddha) is often confused with Guatama Buddha the founder of Buddhism. Presently, through a process called conflation, he encompasses all three beings on some level.
Hotei is traditionally depicted as a portly man dressed as a monk. His large stomach, which represents abundance and prosperity, often protrudes from his robes. The word "Hotei" means 'cloth-sack' and the Laughing Buddha is often seen carry such a sack from which he removes food, money, or candy. He is often seen surrounded by children. Overall he is seen as a generous spirit of luck, prosperity, and happiness.
Images of the Laughing Buddha can be found at the entrances to Chinese Buddhist temples, as well as in many Chinese and Japanese restaurants. In addition many Root Doctors and Spiritual Workers will have images of him on their Wealth and Prosperity Altars.
Hotei Budda on my Prosperity and Money Altar
WORKING WITH HOTEI BUDDHA
There is a widespread belief that rubbing Hotei's belly will bring good luck and prosperity. As part of my daily practices, I light a candle on this altar each morning and rub his belly. I often pray the 23rd Psalm followed by a more specific petition or prayer (if I have one.) Candles are often dressed with a Prosperity, Money-Drawing, or Money Stay With Me Oil and the equivalent incense is burned as well. If I have accepted petitions for others their needs will also be addressed.
Some people may find it odd to pray a Christian prayer to a non-Christian deity. The way in which I reconcile this is that when I pray "The Lord is my Shepard"...to Hotei at my money altar then that prayer is directed to Hotei himself and in that instance his is the Lord mentioned in the prayer. Although the 23rd Psalm is widely considered to be an all-purpose prayer. There are certain verses contained in the Psalm that really speak to prosperity and abundance such as:
* I shall "not want"
* He maketh me to lie down in "green pastures"
* My cup "runneth over"
* Goodness and Mercy shall "follow me all the days of my life"
Hotei is surrounded by symbols of prosperity such as Maneki Neko, a piggy bank, and dried rice. In addition I have a large green bowl of trained hunting money on top of which is a large lodestone fed daily with magnetic sand. There are several smooth, flat stones around the altar on which you will find gems, coins, and other curious such as pyrite. These items are believed to draw in money and prosperity, and placing them on these stones represent building your fortune on a solid foundation. A Boss-Fix Honey Jar can also be found on the altar for continued employment and contentment on the job.
Other items on the altar include a Wishbone, a Rabbit's Foot, a Gold-Plated Elephant with Trunk Raised (facing my front door), and images drawn from the Tarot. The box on which the Maneki Neko statue sits also contains a Money Drawing Mojo Bag when it is not being carried, or fed.
Every other week I make offerings of apples to Hotei in thanksgiving for my blessings. A shot glass of fresh water is kept on the altar and is renewed every day. Finally, as a person who enjoys comedy and jokes I consider my own laughter an offering to this happy and generous figure.
Carolina Dean
LINKS
Move Buddha? From the Archives of the Miami News, 1981
Buddha as a Luck Bringing Deity in a Non-Buddhist World
Source: thelema-and-faith.blogspot.com
