Kuan Yin, the Bodhisattva of compassion
A bodhisattava is, in simple terms, an enlightened or spiritually-advanced human. Kuan Yin, a bodhisattva who is known by various names (for example: Kwan Yin, Guan Yin and others) and in various forms throughout the East, is the bodhisattva of mercy and compassion.
One of the stories of Kuan Yin is that her life of great love and sacrifice earned her the right to enter Nirvana after her death. However, as she prepared to accept her reward of eternal bliss, she heard a cry of anguish from earth and turned back so that she might tend to those in need of her mercy and compassion. Kuan Yin is said to have a thousand eyes to see the suffering of the earth’s people and a thousand hands to reach out to them.
Kuan Yin is the most revered goddess in the East. But her influence on those in the West is growing as more people discover and seek to access the power of the feminine in their spiritual and personal lives. Calling upon the spirit of Kuan Yin, the beloved Goddess of Compassion, is believed to bring strength, healing and unconditional love.
Lj Stewart, inspired by the compassion, love and healing energy embodied by this deity, has given her medical massage practice the name “Thousand Hands”. There are many resources available to learn about Kuan Yin. Lj Recommends two books, in particular:
“Kuan Yin, Accessing the Power of the Divine Feminine” by Daniela Schenker
“Discovering Kwan Yin” by Sandy Boucher
The following are some of the many references available online for information about Thousand Hands or Kuan Yin: