Kuanyin, seated in a glass case

Kuanyin, seated in a glass case

Mahayana

Kuanyin, also referred to as Guan Yin, is a Bodhisattva in Mahayana tradition who is generally associated with compassion and veneration. The legend of Kuanyin dates to the Song Dynasty between mid-7th- to-late 13th century. In this statue, Kuanyin is depicted in the Karana Mudra posture, a hand gesture performed by raising the index and the little finger of the right hand and folding the other finger. She is depicted holding a mala (prayer beads) on her right hand, and she is holding a scroll on the left hand. The Karana Mudra symbols warding off evil, and it is believed to help reduce sickness or negative thoughts.

Check out the High Library and Sacred Texts for more information

Sources: Goddess of Compassion: Bodhisattva Guan Yin & Johnson, Reginald (2008) [1913]. Buddhist China. Soul Care Publishing

Elizabethtown College (Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, USA)

Dr. William V. Puffenberger

Elizabethtown College retains all intellectual property rights to this image including, but not limited to, digital rights and any derivative works. For permission for reproduction, please contact the College’s Administrative Assistant for Humanities.

A medium sized Kuanyin seated on a pedestal in a glass case

Puffenberger #31

China and/or Japan