Religious research: "Guanyin Bodhisattva" Buddhism or Taoism?Uncover the truth
Guanyin Bodhisattva is an important figure in traditional culture, and her identity, gender, and religious traditions are often controversial. Guanyin is considered to be the embodiment of compassion and benevolence and is known as a bodhisattva. However, the two major religious traditions, Buddhism and Taoism, have very different expressions of Guanyin. The following will briefly introduce the different images of Guanyin Bodhisattva in Buddhism and Taoism, as well as the intricacies of the legend of Pang.
Guanyin in Buddhism.
In Buddhism, Guanyin (also known as Avalokiteshvara) is often depicted as a male or female figure. She is considered to be the embodiment of compassion and possesses endless compassion and wisdom. Her name is derived from the Sanskrit language"Guanyin", meaning:"The goddess of mercy", referring to her role in listening to the suffering of sentient beings and providing them with help. Fuxian Bodhisattva, together with Manjushri and Jizo, is known as the four great bodhisattvas of Buddhism. In fact, Guanyin is both a Buddhist and a Taoist.
Guanyin in Taoism.
Guanyin Bodhisattva has a unique tradition in Taoism. In Taoism, Guanyin is known as Cihang Daochang and is often depicted as a female figure. The Taoist legend of Guanyin is associated with Mount Putuo and the South China Sea. According to the Taoist classic "General Catalogue of Immortals of the Past Dynasties", the people of Cihang Taoism were compassionate, educated sentient beings with elixir nectar, and lived in Putuo Mountain. Therefore, the people of the South China Sea enshrined her as Tuas Cihang. This version of Guanyin is related to Taoist teachings and traditions, but it is also different from Buddhist Guanyin.
Guanyin is not the only deity in Taoism who bears the name of Guanyin. Other deities associated with Guanyin include Guanyin Yuanjun, Guanyin Niangniang, and Jiming Emperor. The various commentaries on the Tara Sutra in the Daozang also contain pairs"Guanyin"Dogmatic explanations, such as will"view"Explained as:"Perception"。
Is Guanyin male or female?
People often wonder whether Guanyin is male or female. Before the Tang Dynasty, Guanyin Bodhisattva was usually a male figure. In Tibetan Buddhism, the same is true of the image of Guanyin. However, there is an important sentence in the "Guanyin Bodhisattva Pumen Pin":"Those who want to attain Avalokiteshvara speak by what body appears and what body they are"。
This means that Avalokiteshvara manifests in different forms depending on the need to educate and guide sentient beings. The bodhisattva itself does not have a specific male or female gender, but simply randomly manifests different forms according to karma. This teaching, emphasizing compassion and wisdom that transcends gender, makes Guanyin a more inclusive and transcendent being.
Beliefs and legends are intertwined.
The different images of Guanyin reflect the complex relationship between Buddhism and Taoism in China. China's religious traditions have always been pluralistic, blending elements and beliefs from different religions. The image of Kannon is a reflection of this plurality.
When Buddhism was introduced to China, it blended with native Chinese culture and beliefs and intertwined with Taoism. The image of the Taoist priest Cihang may have become an element of the Buddhist Guanyin, further enriching the image of Guanyin. The interweaving of these beliefs makes Guanyin a complex multifaceted deity.
The legend of Guanyin also has elements of Chinese history and culture. The story of Princess Miao Shan is an important version of the legend of Guanyin, which is related to the historical records of the Song Dynasty. This version gives Guanyin more human characteristics and Chinese cultural background, making it closer to the life of Chinese.
In Chinese cultural and religious traditions, Guanyin is a complex, multi-dimensional, multi-layered figure. Guanyin Bodhisattva occupies an important place in both Buddhism and Taoism, but different religions shape Guanyin Bodhisattva in different ways. Thus, Guanyin is both a Buddhist and a Taoist figure. The legend of Guanyin reflects the diversity and complexity of China's religious culture, as well as the mutual influence and interaction between different religions. In both Buddhism and Taoism, Guanyin is a cross-legged figure that connects the veins of different religions and traditions.