Post by kannon on May 19, 2005 8:05:47 GMT -5
A very few of you have already spoken with me. I have been asked by Hera to introduce myself. I will be running some of the quests and activities in the near future. I am planning the first one now. I will announce them in Game and on the forums. A bit about Kannon:
Kannon has been known by many names. To the Chinese she is “Kuan Yin” or “Guanshiyin”. To the Japanese she is “Kannon” other spellings in Japan are “Kanjizai”, “Kanzeon”, and “Kwannon”. She is a bodhisattva. There is a common misconception to many westerners that she is thought of as a “godess”. This, however, is incorrect. The equivalent in western theology is that of saint. Kannon is a very high level saint. Another misconception is the term “Buddha” This word has more than one meaning and thus more than one equivalent in western theology. Any person can achieve full enlightenment and become “a buddha”. There is also the historical personage of Shakyamuni Buddha. He was not and is not worshiped as God. He was a teacher sent by God. When a buddhist refers to "The Eternal Buddha" they are referring to God. If you see a statue of buddha it may not necessariy be the historical personage. If it is, the buddhist is merely offering respect and gratitude.
What is a Bodhisattva? The word bodhisattva means "enlightened essence", or "enlightened being". Bodhisattvas are characterized by a number of features, probably the most important characteristic of the Bodhisattva path is the increased emphasis that it places on "compassion" (karuna). As seen from the Mahayana (a particular school of Buddhism that places emphasis on the Nirvana Sutras, the final teachings of the Buddha) point of view, the bodhisattva path embraces the importance of Buddhism as a vehicle that was intended by the Buddha to liberate all sentient beings from suffering.
What is Kannon the Saint of? She embodies mercy and compassion. She has dedicated her life to helping people in distress in the earthly realm. Kannon literally means "watchful listening," which could be loosely translated as "the one who sees/hears all." This is indeed the task of the compassionate Kannon bodhisattva -- to witness/listen to the prayers of those in difficulty in the earthly realm, and to help them achieve enlightenment.
What does she look like? The Kannon can appear in many different forms to save people according to their time and place. The Avalokitesvara Sutra mentions 33 specific forms. Says Shaku Soen (deceased), lord abbot of Engakuji Temple: "She will be a philosopher, merchant, man of letters, person of low birth, or anything as required by the occasion, while her sole aim is to deliver all beings without exception from ignorance and suffering." Kannon is also often shown with a thousand arms, symbolic of her ability to embrace earth and alleviate the suffering of all people in the earthly realm.
In Japan, the Kannon is often depicted with eleven faces (in the form of a crown or diadem with small heads), symbolic of shedding sweetness and mercy in all directions. Since she is one of the principal attendants of the Buddha.
In Chinese history Kannon is said to have been born into this world as the daughter of the King of the Chow Dynasty. Sentenced to death by her father for refusing to marry, she was sent to the executioner's block, where it is said the executioner's sword broke without inflicting a wound. Other Chinese tales say her spirit went to Hell, but her radiance turned hell into paradise, so the King of the infernal regions sent her back to earth again, transporting her on a lotus flower.
Kannon has been known by many names. To the Chinese she is “Kuan Yin” or “Guanshiyin”. To the Japanese she is “Kannon” other spellings in Japan are “Kanjizai”, “Kanzeon”, and “Kwannon”. She is a bodhisattva. There is a common misconception to many westerners that she is thought of as a “godess”. This, however, is incorrect. The equivalent in western theology is that of saint. Kannon is a very high level saint. Another misconception is the term “Buddha” This word has more than one meaning and thus more than one equivalent in western theology. Any person can achieve full enlightenment and become “a buddha”. There is also the historical personage of Shakyamuni Buddha. He was not and is not worshiped as God. He was a teacher sent by God. When a buddhist refers to "The Eternal Buddha" they are referring to God. If you see a statue of buddha it may not necessariy be the historical personage. If it is, the buddhist is merely offering respect and gratitude.
What is a Bodhisattva? The word bodhisattva means "enlightened essence", or "enlightened being". Bodhisattvas are characterized by a number of features, probably the most important characteristic of the Bodhisattva path is the increased emphasis that it places on "compassion" (karuna). As seen from the Mahayana (a particular school of Buddhism that places emphasis on the Nirvana Sutras, the final teachings of the Buddha) point of view, the bodhisattva path embraces the importance of Buddhism as a vehicle that was intended by the Buddha to liberate all sentient beings from suffering.
What is Kannon the Saint of? She embodies mercy and compassion. She has dedicated her life to helping people in distress in the earthly realm. Kannon literally means "watchful listening," which could be loosely translated as "the one who sees/hears all." This is indeed the task of the compassionate Kannon bodhisattva -- to witness/listen to the prayers of those in difficulty in the earthly realm, and to help them achieve enlightenment.
What does she look like? The Kannon can appear in many different forms to save people according to their time and place. The Avalokitesvara Sutra mentions 33 specific forms. Says Shaku Soen (deceased), lord abbot of Engakuji Temple: "She will be a philosopher, merchant, man of letters, person of low birth, or anything as required by the occasion, while her sole aim is to deliver all beings without exception from ignorance and suffering." Kannon is also often shown with a thousand arms, symbolic of her ability to embrace earth and alleviate the suffering of all people in the earthly realm.
In Japan, the Kannon is often depicted with eleven faces (in the form of a crown or diadem with small heads), symbolic of shedding sweetness and mercy in all directions. Since she is one of the principal attendants of the Buddha.
In Chinese history Kannon is said to have been born into this world as the daughter of the King of the Chow Dynasty. Sentenced to death by her father for refusing to marry, she was sent to the executioner's block, where it is said the executioner's sword broke without inflicting a wound. Other Chinese tales say her spirit went to Hell, but her radiance turned hell into paradise, so the King of the infernal regions sent her back to earth again, transporting her on a lotus flower.
