In both Buddhism and Taoism, Kwan yin or simply Kuan Yin is the goddess of compassion and mercy. She is the Japanese Bodhisattva Kannon or Kanzeon.
In Sanskrit, Kwan Yin is called “Avalokiteshvara” – the goddess of the world who looks after compassion.
She is said to have all the great powers and hears to all the grief and crying of the human on Earth.
She is the true epitome of mercy, compassion, kindness and love.
Often called “Bodhisattva “ – the being of Bodhi or enlightenment , meaning the one who has learned to leave the world of suffering and tolerance , destined to become a Buddha .
But she had forgone the bliss of nirvana with a vow to save all the children of God.
Kwan yin or Avalokiteshvara can have any form in the six realms of existence to take away the suffering of the sentient beings living on Earth and in space.
Which means she can be a monk , a nurse or a normal being like us , just to make us close to her and to listen to all of our grief.
Different Sutras depict different roles and ways of healing the people on Earth.
Like in Lotus Sutra , the Shakyamuni Buddha said that if a sufferer reminds the Avalokiteshvara , the Bodhisattva hears the call and relieve the being from suffering.
While in Hyayen Sutra , Avalokiteshvara has powers to transforms into various forms to save the sufferers .
Her transformations are countless and magnificent.
In China , Avalokiteshvara is represented as a female figure .Since the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907) ,Kwan Yin’s great compassion and merciful behavior is compared with the feminine quality .
In India, the Bodhisattva is represented as a male figure.
Kwan Yin Depictions
Kwan Yin is depicted with a willow branch in her hands, a vase filled with water and lotus flower.
The willow branch is the symbolism of healing people’s illness and being fulfillment to their request and desires.
The water here is the symbolism of cleaning or removing the suffering, purifying the waste elements of the body, and mind.