Do you know who the Buddhist Goddess Kuan Yin is?

Kuan Yin is one of the most beloved and worshipped Buddhist deities. Known in the world as a Bodhisattva, an enlightened being who returned from the gates of Nirvana to remain on earth until all beings are saved and freed from suffering, Kuan Yin embodies Compassion.

Her love is unconditional and she embraces all beings with her thousand arms. Her song is the Heart Sutra and her name means "Observer of the Sounds of the World" and she is an extremely respected deity in the cultures of the peoples of Asia.

There are numerous incarnations of Kuan Yin and in this article we present 33 distinct manifestations of this enlightened being.

In the article, we have included a description of each of these manifestations, including its mantras and approximate pronunciation guide in Portuguese so that you can ask for help from now on to this very special deity and bring its graces into your life.

Meeting Kuan Yin

Kuan Yin is a multi-faceted deity who has been worshipped in several countries in Asia. To understand her divine essence, it is important to know her origins, representations and how different cultures interpret this same deity. Read on to know her history, legends and her prayer.

Source

Kuan Yin's origin is in India. From there, she spread to China and subsequently to countries like Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. She was initially worshipped in a male form known as Avalokiteshvara. For this reason, she is known with both female and male attributes.

Some legends of Mahayana Buddhism tell that the male form of Kuan Yin, Avalokitesvara, was born from a ray of white light that Amitabha emitted from his right eye as he was lost in ecstasy. In her female aspect, she carries the archetype of the mother. Both forms are representation of Compassion incarnate and are invoked through mantras and prayers.

History

The story of Kuan Yin is told in the Lotus Sutra. This holy book is considered the oldest literary source of the teachings and doctrines of Avalokiteshvara, the initial male form of the goddess.

In chapter 25 of this book, Avalokiteshvara is described as the bodhisattva of compassion and the one who hears the supplications of sentient beings, who works ceaselessly to help all who call his name.

Legends about Kuan Yin, in her female aspect, first appeared in the Chinese Middle Kingdom over two thousand years ago. Her popularity increased around the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and she continues to be hailed and worshipped as the "Goddess of Mercy" to this day.

What does Kuan Yin represent?

Kuan Yin represents compassion, love, healing and abundance. She teaches compassion to humanity, for she is a bodhisattva of compassion. She helps us to get rid of judgments of others and ourselves so that we focus on the love and light that each being possesses.

She also represents the power of kindness, virtue and her symbols are the lotus flower, the dragon, the rainbow, the blue color, the lapis lazuli, the thousand arms, among others. She is a goddess related to the waters and the moon and therefore can be invoked at night, especially when the moon is full to bring healing, compassion and prosperity to all who ask for her assistance.

Healing powers of Kuan Yin

The healing powers of Kuan Yin are portrayed in many of her myths. Her healing energy is directed through the violet flame. She promotes energetic balancing acting directly on the 7 chakras of the body, bringing the body back to its stage of balance with more quality of life and well-being.

By understanding how energy flows, she is able to identify imbalances in the mental, spiritual, physical and emotional fields. As we will show in the description of her manifestations and in the legends, Kuan Yin promotes miracles, bringing healing and compassion to all who call her name.

Legends of Kuan Yin

There are several legends involving Kuan Yin, the most famous of them is that of Miao Shan. Miao Shan, was the daughter of a cruel prince, Zhuang of Chu, who wanted to marry her to a rich and rude man.

Miao Shan begged to become a monk instead of marrying. Zhuang accepted but made her life difficult with difficult tasks so that she would give up. After falling ill, he sought help and a monk said that the only medicine would be made with the arms and eye of someone without malice and such a person could only be found on the Perfumed Mountain.

Miao Shan offered his eyes and arm and healed him. When he found out that Miao gave up his eyes and arm to heal him, he asked for forgiveness and she became Kuan Yin of the Thousand Arms.

Kuan Yin in different cultures

Kuan Yin is present in different cultures in Asia. In different countries, she takes on different names and attributes that vary according to region and tradition. Many of these names are adapted pronunciations of Kuan Yin, Guanyin or Guanshiyin. Some of these names are:

1) In Cantonese: Gwun Yam or Gun Yam;

2) In Tibetan: Chenrézik ;

3) In Vietnamese: Quan Thế Âm;

4) In Japanese: Kannon, Kan'on, Kanzeon or Kwannon;

5) In Korean: Gwan-eum or Gwanse-eum;

6) In Indonesian: Kwan Im, Dewi Kwan Im or Mak Kwan Im ;

7) In Thai: Phra Mae Kuan Im or Chao Mae Kuan.

Kuan Yin Prayer

Recite this prayer when you want to ask Kuan Yin for help:

Kuan Yin, You who hear the sounds of the World!

Hear my prayer, for I seek refuge in Thy Thousand Arms,

Protect me from the suffering of Samsara.

I pray for Your Divine Wisdom and Compassion

And for the comfort of Thy embrace!

Pour upon me Thy Holy Light,

Drive away the shadow of doubt and fear!

Lady of the Thousand-Leaf Cloak,

Grant me Your Healing against the evil ones of this world,

Fill the secret chambers of my heart with your Divine Grace!

I revere Your Divine Mastery,

Keep me in the core of Your Sacred Lotus,

Fill my Chakras, O Beloved Mother,

Teach me Thy Merit and Thy Virtues

And may my waters reflect the Image of Your Divine Compassion!

Om Mani Padme Hum

Namo Kuan Shi Yin Pusa (33x)

The 33 manifestations of Kuan Yin

Kuan Yin has 33 manifestations according to the Lotus Sutra, one of the most popular and influential sutras in Mahayana Buddhism. In addition, she can manifest in any and all forms that one needs to bring protection and wisdom. We will discuss each of her 33 names below.

Yang Liu Kuan Yin

Yang Liu Kuan Yin is Kuan Yin holding a willow branch bathed in dew drops. The willow represents healing and the dew is the drops of life that Kuan Yin donates to humanity.

Call her to ask for healing.

Mantra: "Namo Yang Liu Kuan Yin" (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô yang liu guan yin.

Long Tou Kuan Yin

Long Tou Kuan Yin is the one who rests on the head of a dragon, considered the most powerful animal in the East. She represents all power, as she combines the energies of heaven and earth. Call upon her name when you want balance and manifest your graces.

Mantra: "Namo Long Tou Kuan Yin" (chant 33x)

Pronunciation: namô long tou guan yin

Jing Chi Kuan Yin

Jing Chi Kuan Yin holds and guards the sutras, the Buddhist scriptures. In this manifestation,Kuan Yin is the bodhisattva of those who listen to the Buddha's preaching and attain enlightenment. When imagining her, visualize her holding the sutras that contain the Buddha's wisdom. Call upon her to find your path toward enlightenment.

Mantra: Namo Chi'ih Ching Kuan Yin (chant 33x)

Pronunciation: namô tchí-i tching guan yin

Guang Yuan Kuan Yin

Guang Yuan Kuan Yin is the manifestation of full light, symbol of the vastness and wholeness of light that is able to dispel any and all shadows in the universe. She brings all the matrices of compassion to the heart chakra. Call upon her to dispel the shadows from your path.

Mantra: Namo Yuan Kuang Kuan Yin (chant 33x)

Pronunciation: namô yu-an guang guan yin

Yu Xi Kuan Yin

Yu Xi Kuan Yin is the manifestation of joy and playfulness. She brings the gift of happiness into the lives of the beings on this planet, allowing them to live with a high vibration of light and joy. Invoke her to bring happiness into your life.

Mantra: Namo Yu Hsi Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô yu chi guan yin.

Bai Yi Kuan Yin

Bai Yi Kuan Yin is the manifestation of Kuan Yin dressed in white, the symbol of purity. She represents mercy, a recurring theme in Chinese Buddhism. She is usually depicted sitting on a white lotus flower, also carrying a lotus in her hands. Call upon her to attract purity and enlightenment to your mind.

Mantra: Namo Pai Yi Kuan Yin(chant 33x).

Pronunciation: Namô bai yi guan yin.

Lian Wo Kuan Yin

Lian Wo Kuan Yin sitting on a lotus leaf, symbol of mastery over the chakras. The lotus is the symbol of purity and enlightenment over fear and ignorance. Your mantra should be chanted to achieve a purer and more enlightened state that will infect your surroundings.

Mantra: Namo Lian Wo Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô lian wo guan yin.

Long Jian Kuan Yin

Long Jian Kuan Yin is the manifestation that is visualized near waterfalls or rushing streams of water. It is the symbol of the flow of energies of the waters of the river of life and of all the gifts and blessings coming from paradise, located in Potala, according to beliefs. Chant your mantra to see the River of Life.

Mantra: Namo Long Jian Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô long tchian guan yin.

Shi Yao Kuan Yin

Shi Yao Kuan Yin is the giver of healing and all medicines to humanity. Her power completes our being and brings healing on psychological, emotional and physical levels. Chant her mantra when you need to find healing.

Mantra: Namo Shi Yao Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô chi yao guan yin.

Lan Yu Kuan Yin

Lan Yu Kuan Yin is a manifestation of the basket of fish, symbol of abundance, prosperity, fertility and interpersonal relationships such as friendship, of union and communion with the people around us. It is based on the legend of a devotee and his daughter Ling Jowl. Its mantra should be chanted to attract abundance and fertility.

Mantra: Namo Yu Lan Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô yu lan guan yin.

From Kuan Yin Wang

From Kuan Yin Wang is the representation of the King of Merit and Virtue, symbol of merit. This title was given to Kuan Yin when she appeared as King of Rapudatu, known for her merit and virtue. Her mantra helps to manifest merits, siddhis (special abilities) and virtues.

Mantra: Namo De Wang Kuan Yin (chant 33x)

Pronunciation: namô de wan guan yin.

Shui Yue Kuan Yin

Shui Yue Kuan Yin is the manifestation of the moon and water. Therefore, she rules and symbolizes the emotions, the waterways and the images reflected on them. She is the Divine Mother and the reflection of the moon on water itself. Her mantra is chanted to gain transcendental wisdom and to understand the nature of emotions.

Mantra: Namo Shui Yue Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô chui yue guan yin.

Yi Ye Kuan Yin

Yi Ye Kuan Yin is the manifestation of the single leaf. In this manifestation, Kuan Yin is represented floating on water in a leaf. Its symbolism evokes maximum unity, from which each part of us contains in itself the whole.

Therefore, we do not need a thousand leaves, one feather is enough to cease the totality. It is called to combat antagonistic forces, neutralizing it in the subconscious.

Mantra: Namo Yi Ye Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô yi ye guan yin.

Qing Jing Kuan Yin

Qing Jing Kuan Yin is the Kuan Yin who has a blue neck. She symbolizes the antidote to purify all poisons, whether of a mental, emotional or physical nature. Her energy is concentrated in the laryngeal chakra, which has 16 petals and whose color is blue. She must be called upon to open the laryngeal chakra, through which the Sacred Word is spoken.

Mantra: Namo Chi-Ing Ching Kuan Yin (chant 33x)

Pronunciation: namô tchin djin guan yin.

By Wei Kuan Yin

De Wei Kuan Yin is her manifestation of power and virtue. Her name means "the powerful and virtuous one." Her mantra is chanted to fill the feeling of emptiness in life, which will be filled by love and compassion manifested by Kuan Yin.

Mantra: Namo Wei De Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô uêi from guan yin.

Yan Ming Kuan Yin

Yan Ming Kuan Yin grants the gift of longevity, for she extends life. She is the symbol of life, life force, quantity and quality of life. She must be invoked to extend your time in this life, bringing more years.

Mantra: Namo Yan Ming Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô yan ming guan yin.

Zhong Bao Kuan Yin

Zhong Bao Kuan Yin is the one of many treasures. In this manifestation, Kuan Yin brings all kinds of treasures, revealing those that are hidden. She also symbolizes teaching and blessing. In this aspect, she is the manifestation of Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all the buddhas. Call upon her to understand the teachings and find the treasures in them.

Mantra: Namo Zhong Bao Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namo Chong pao guan yin.

Yan Hu Kuan Yin

Yan Hu Kuan Yin is the a Kuan Yin of the rock cave and symbolizes mastery over the subconscious and unconscious, symbolized by the caves of his name.

These carvernas are the secret chambers of the heart and so another name of this manifestation is Kuan Yin of the Secret Chambers. It must be called to protect from the darkness that can dwell within our caves.

Mantra: Namo Yan Hu Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô yen ru guan yin.

Ning Jing Kuan Yin

Ning Jing Kuan Yin is the symbol of harmony and pacification. Her sacred name brings calm and peace to the body, mind and soul. She helps to overcome feelings such as anger as she calms our emotions. The word jing in her mantra means cessation of conflict. Invoke her to bring peace and calm the soul.

Mantra: Namo Ning Jing Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namo ning tching kuan yin.

A Nou Kuan Yin

Nou Kuan Yin is sitting on a rock, staring at the sea to find beings in danger. She symbolizes protection and salvation of sea travelers and manifests as Anu. Chant her mantra to invoke divine protection.

Mantra: Namo A-Nou Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô anú guan yin.

A Mo Di Kuan Yin

Mo Di Kuan Yin is the emanation of Buddha Amoghasiddhi, symbol of fearlessness, for she enters the darkness to save lives. Her mantra should be chanted when you wish to overcome fear, doubt and equestioning pertinent to human nature.

Mantra: Namo A-Mo-Di Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô amôdi guan yin.

Ye Yi Kuan Yin

Ye Yi Kuan Yin is the one who wears a robe made of a thousand leaves. She promotes healing, symbolizing it, and manifests affection. She offers protection from plagues, epidemics and illnesses, also offering the gift of longevity and protecting from our personal karma. Call upon her to fight against illness.

Mantra: Namo Ye Yi Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô ye yi guan yin.

Liu Li Kuan Yin

Liu Li Kuan Yin is represented by the color of healing and longevity. In this manifestation, she is Vaidurya, a crystal known as lapis lazuli. She holds the key to the heart and is a healing symbol of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Call upon her to invoke healing.

Mantra: Namo Liu Li Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô lío li guan yin.

Do Lo Kuan Yin

Do Lo Kuan Yin is the symbol of quick liberation, as she emanates the energy of Tara, the fast goddess matron of salvation. She is represented by the colors blue and white, so she is sometimes called the white goddess. Use her mantra to ask for salvation and spiritual elevation.

Mantra: Namo Do-Lo Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô to-lo guan yin.

Ge Li Kuan Yin

Ge Li Kuan Yin is one who originates in the shell of a mollusk. As such, she can open and close all objects, beings and energies. Therefore, she is considered the worker of miracles.

In her legend, she manifested in human form from an oyster that would not open during Emperor Wen Zong's meal. Call upon her to unlock closed hearts.

Mantra: Namo Ke Li Kuan Yin (chant 33x)

Pronunciation: namô guê li guan yin.

Liu Shi Kuan Yin

Liu Shi Kuan Yin is the manifestation of the 6 o'clock, one of the three equal periods into which the Chinese day was subdivided. She rules time and brings protection during all hours of the day. She must be called upon to bring protection.

Mantra: Namo Liu Shi Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô liu chi guan yin.

Pu Bei Kuan Yin

Pu Bei Kuan Yin is the symbol of universal compassion. Her form is considered the "all compassionate". It should be called upon to help manifest and learn the gift of love and compassion.

Mantra: Namo Pu Pei Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô bu bei guan yin.

Ma Lang Fu Kuan Yin

Ma Lang Fu Kuan Yin originates from a legend. She is Ma Lang's wife and carries the lotus in her right hand and a female skull in her left hand. She must be called by her mantra to learn and teach the Buddha's teachings.

Mantra: Namo Ma Lang Fu Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô ma lang fu guan yin.

He Jang Kuan Yin

He Jang Kuan Yin is the manifestation of Kuan Yin represented with the palms of the hands juxtaposed, in a position of prayer and supplication. It symbolizes goodwill towards others and harmony. Its mantra is chanted to obtain detachment from the things of the world.

Mantra: Namo Ho Chang Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô ro tchang guan yin.

Yi Ru Kuan Yin

Yi Ru Kuan Yin is Unity. She is represented on a cloud as a symbol of plenitude, of mastery over energies and of Her integration with all beings on the planet. She must be invoked for protection and to become one with the universe.

Mantra: Namo I Ru Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô i ru guan yin.

Er Bu Kuan Yin

Er Bu Kuan Yin represents the non-separation of Being. She is the Kuan Yin who shows the other side of Oneness, and is therefore non-dual. She must be called upon to understand the Oneness and Non-duality of the Universe.

Mantra: Namo Pu Erh Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô bu er guan yin.

Lian Chi Kuan Yin

Lian Chi Kuan Yin is represented holding the lotus symbol. Her domain is the seven chakras, which confer absolute power. She has renounced nirvana until all beings in the universe have fully awakened and are saved. She must be called upon to develop the fullness of being.

Mantra: Namo Chi-ih Lian Hua Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô tchi-ih lian rua guan yin.

Sa Shui Kuan Yin

Sa Shui Kuan Yin is the manifestation of pure water. As such, it symbolizes the nectar and light that flows liquid over the universe, bringing with it wisdom and compassion. Its water rises from the basal chakra to the coronal chakra. It should be called upon to awaken wisdom and compassion as well as the energy of all the chakras.

Mantra: Namo Sa Shui Kuan Yin (chant 33x).

Pronunciation: namô sa chê guan yin.

Kuan Yin is the Bodhisattva of compassion and Goddess of mercy!

Kuan Yin is the Bodhisattva of Compassion and goddess of mercy who dwells in the heart and home of all beings. With her eternal wisdom, capable of chasing away doubt and the shadows of fear, she fills our inner chambers of the heart with her Divine Compassion, awakening our merits and virtues.

Her ability to materialize in different physical forms to speak about the Dharma to beings makes Her nature and identity flexible to touch the hearts of those who wish to become buddhas. Therefore, establishing connection with Her will cause you to create awareness of the All, finding Her energy in every tiny part that inhabits your being.

This will make you understand your nature in this incarnation, so that you can, at the end of this cycle, rest on the heart of a lotus for having attained nirvana and been sent to the Pure Land of Sukhavati.