Kuan-Yin and the Dragons

Description

Kuan Yin, originally known as Avalokiteswara (the Lord who regards’), is a highly revered manifestation of the Buddha who appears in Chinese scriptures around 400 A.D. Kuan Yin means one who hears the cries of the world’ and personifies the compassion of the Buddha for the needy. She is the embodiment of the yin principle. She is usually represented as a young female deity but she has the power to assume whatever form necessary in order to carry out her vow which is to appear in any way necessary to lead beings out of suffering. She is often shown holding a vase containing the waters of compassion. She is also often seen with dragons which are symbols of fertility, goodness, strength and authority. Dragons are also protectors of the faith, keeping watch over temples and even Heaven itself.