The White Moon Gallery Presents........
Created by Lotus Moonwise

Kwan Yin is the pre-eminent goddess in all of Asia. You find her in China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand and other countries. In the Buddhist tradition, she is the Celestial Bodhisattva of Compassion. A bodhisattva is someone who does spiritual practice with the goal of achieving full enlightenment, but just before she arrives at that point, she makes the decision not to receive full enlightenment until the rest of the world has as well. Then she steps into the world and works to alleviate suffering and to awaken beings to their true nature. According to legend, Kwan Yin was about to enter heaven but paused on the threshold as the cries of the world reached her ears. Kwan Yin is known to be a protector of children. She is often portrayed with a child in her arms, near her feet, or on her knees, or with several children around her. [5] For this reason, and for her compassionate, nurturing nature, I consider her as the Mother aspect of the Goddess.

Among her devotees, there is a great trust in Kwan Yin's compassion and healing powers. Many believe that even the simple recitation of her name will bring her instantly and the most effective meditation to connect with her is it's constant repitition. The compassion of Kwan Yin is without judgment and reflects the pure force of universal love that is innate in every human being . She finds the tiniest spot of love inside that person, magnifies and reflects it back in its totality. She is able to see the Divinity and perfection of each being and empowers them with her unconditional love. Her embrace is healing and connecting to her in meditation feels like being cradled in the arms of a nurturing Mother.

One of the most famous texts associated with the bodhisattva, the ancient Lotus Sutra whose twenty-fifth chapter, dedicated to Kwan Yin, is known as the "Kwan Yin Sutra," describes thirteen cases of impending disaster--from shipwreck to fire, imprisonment, robbers, demons, fatal poisons and karmic woes--in which the devotee will be rescued if his thoughts dwell on the power of Kwan Yin.[2][5] The text is recited many times daily by those who wish to receive the benefits it promises.

It is believed that Kwan Yin frequently appears in the sky or on the waves to save those who call upon her when in danger. Personal stories can be heard in Taiwan, for instance, from those who report that during World War II when the United States bombed the Japanese-occupied Taiwan, she appeared in the sky as a young maiden, catching the bombs and covering them with her white garments so they would not explode. [5]

I first connected with Kwan Yin during a Rebirthing session. I was laying there, doing the breathwork and feeling charged in every cell of my body. I had the feeling of floating freely in space. There were stars all around me and I felt a profound sense of peace. Then a Goddess appeared before me. She was sitting on a lotus and had her right hand up with her open palm facing me. It was glowing with bright white light. Her facial features were so gentle, so compassionate and loving. I knew her to be Kwan Yin. I spent some time connecting with her and letting her nurturing energy fill me up. She gave me several messages, the most memorable being to take care of myself. She told me that I empathically care for so many others and I need to give this care to myself as well. I then felt her touch on my Third Eye Chakra and I felt a little light explode there in the middle of my forehead. The light felt like liquid gold as it spread slowly through the rest of my head and down through my body. I felt like she was cleansing me and filling me with her unconditional love. I thanked her and embraced her with all my heart and soul. After the rebirthing session, I wanted to learn more about her. I started researching her online and in books. I was surprised to find one source that said her birthday is March 28th. This was an important synchroncity for me because that is also my birthday. Below is a virtual altar that I created for Kwan Yin.

I made the vow and kept my word I reached enlightenment but rather than pass over to the state of eternal bliss I retained human form till all beings attain enlightenment Keeping human form enabled me to know more deeply the pain others experience Because of my deep feelings because of my understanding of misery and suffering because of my decision I am called The Compassionate One She Whose Name Alleviates All Suffering But wouldn't you prefer to wait feeling what others feel suffering what others suffer knowing their pain as your own wait till the end of all suffering and pain till all beings attain enlightenment? For me there was no other choice. Kwan Yin ~ The Goddess Oracle [6]

Altar Graphic by Lotus Moonwise Featuring Kwan Yin image by Hrana Janto

Image by Pamela Matthews (2000) Angels Healing

1) Set up your altar with a picture of Kwan Yin and either a stick or a cone of lotus incense.

2) Bow 3 times to Kwan Yin

3) Offer one (or more) glass (es) of water which Kwan Yin will bless. (See Water Blessing.)

4) Invite Kwan Yin to come to you and appear. Bring the palms of your hands together in the prayer-mudra. Recite the following:

May the Peace of Kwan Yin be upon this household!
May the Light of Kwan Yin be in my soul!
May the Wisdom of Kwan Yin be in my mind!
May the Virtue and Purity of Kwan Yin be in my feelings!
May the Strength and Vitality of Kwan Yin be among the members of my household!
May the Health and Well-Being of Kwan Yin be manifest through out my body, and radiate through the garments I wear!
May the Grace of Kwan Yin be in my worship!
May the Talents and Genius of Kwan Yin be manifest through my senses!
May the Peace of Kwan Yin be upon me"

5) Recite the short mantra 10 times:
Na Mo Kwan Yin Boddhisattva.

6) Finally, drink the water blessed by Kwan Yin. This water now has healing powers. Dedicate this practice of the Kwan Yin Great compassion Mantra to the benefit and enlightenment of all beings.

7) Close your shrine.

Image from http://cormael.tripod.com/lightmasters/id6.html(no longer active) OM MANI PADME HUM "Hail to the jewel in the lotus!

Kwan Yin Water Blessing [4]  "With the hands, the heart, and the intention of God/dess, this water is now blessed, removing and transmuting all impurity and returning it to the light forever." The water blessing is given to the world by Kwan Yin and the Ascended Masters. The word "water" may be replaced with "food" or anything else. It can be ended with whatever anyone likes to use in their own religion, whether it is Amen, Om, So Be It, Namaste, or whatever you choose. Using your hands to bless the water, sense the energy that is coming down through the crown, into the heart, out through the hands and into the water. Hold it for a little while as though you would a baby. As you hold it, recite the above blessing. The water can be used and it will bless any amount of water it is added to. You can take this water and disperse it. One ounce of this water in approximately seven or eight ounces will be plenty. This is a magnificent healing force. Take some blessed water and pour it into river, lake, or ocean near you to help heal the planet.

Sources:

Main Title Image created by Lotus Moonwise, using Kwan Yin image from : www.reikihealing.com
1) http://www.owlsdottir.com/goddess/air/kwanyin/kwan_yin_3_28.htm (no longer active)
2) Heart of Touch
3) http://www.owlsdottir.com/goddess/air/kwanyin/compassion_mantra.htm (no longer active)
4) Kwan Yin Water Blessing
5) http://cormael.tripod.com/lightmasters/id6.html (No longer active)
6) The Goddess Oracle ~ Amy Sophia Marashinsky