Buddhism 101

Lesson 3: Important Buddhist Figures and Related Mythology

Avalokiteshvara

  Avalokiteshvara, also known in his feminine form as Guan Yin in China, is the bodhisattva of compassion. His name can be translated as meaning something similar to the “downwards gazing lord”, indicating that his focus is always on humanity and the many challenges facing humans. Avalokiteshvara is most strongly identified with the Mahayana tradition. He is very often associated with Amitabha, and is also very well known for having made a similar vow – the vow to heed the pleas of all suffering beings on earth.

The Lotus Sutra specifically mentions Avalokiteshvara by name, and this is likely a major reason for his immense popularity throughout the provinces of Asia. He is sometimes believed to be a giant who resides atop the mountain Potalaka, where he is able to monitor the conditions of the world. At times he is depicted in art as having multiple heads with which he can observe all the calamities that befall human beings. His intercessions on behalf of troubled people can both be spiritual and practical – he can be invoked for personal enlightenment or to provide safety from actual physical dangers such as fire, flood and hostile beings.

Avalokiteshvara was exported to China, and over time some changes took place in the legends surrounding his character. This is not surprising, since form changing is a common way to skillfully direct people towards the dharma. He retained the same association with compassion, but began to be more often portrayed as a female character, and came to be known as Guan Yin. Guan Yin is now nearly the exclusive portrayal of Avalokiteshvara in modern Chinese Buddhism. Guan Yin has been called the Goddess of Mercy, and has received titles that reference her ability to hear the pleas of humans rather than see the problems herself – it is clear that the association with compassion has remained while the gender has changed, adding a motherly component to the list of traits. In China, Guan Yin is often implored when a couple hopes to conceive a child.

Guan Yin’s popularity in China has grown beyond just Buddhist believers – she has been incorporated into popular mythology as well. Her image can be found in temples of all sorts, including Taoist temples, and often people will carry her image around with them. She has also found her place within the Bureaucracy of Heaven in Chinese mythology, and has thus successfully transcended the boundaries of her own religion.

One popular story of Guan Yin describes one of her bodhisattva vows – she vowed that if she ever became disheartened in her quest to liberate all beings that her body should be shattered. She did in time become very discouraged, and her body fell to pieces. She was rebuilt with the help of other buddhas, and then continued to serve humankind compassionately. Some see this as a metaphor for Buddhists – the community of teachers is necessary to help “rebuild” the student when the rigors of Buddhism become too great for him to handle.

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