Some think that this was due to the influence of
Christianity. In China both forms survive, though the goddess is better
known. A Buddhist once said that a Bodhisattva is neither male nor
female and appears in whatever form is convenient.
Kuan Yin is a very popular goddess. Her experiences in Hades are
dramatically presented by traveling theatrical companies. Her deeds of
mercy are portrayed in art. Her well known story runs as follows:
Kuan Yin was the daughter of the ruler of a prosperous kingdom located
somewhere near the island of Sumatra. Her birth was announced to the
queen by a dream. The little girl ate no meat nor milk. Her disposition
was very good. Her intelligence was most extraordinary. Once she read
anything she never forgot it.
At the age of sixteen her father tried to betroth her to a young prince.
She refused and decided to give herself to a life of fasting and
abstinence. Angered b-v her obstinacy the father ordered her to take off
her court dress and jewels, to put on the garb of a servant and to carry
water for the garden. The garden never looked so beautiful. The daughter
also looked well and showed no signs of weariness, because the gods
assisted her in her work.
Relenting a little the king sent an older sister to urge Kuan Yin to
accept the husband he had found for her. When she refused, he sent her
to a monastery and charged the abbess to treat her harshly, so that she
might be forced to return home.
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