Question: Guan Yin

Dear Haoqi

I am one of your fan who enjoy reading your "questioning" to Ah Gong coz I get to learn lots of info.

I have a question for Haoqi today, is Guan Yin a male or female? It was said that Guan Yin is a male and because of His compassion, people make His statue as a form of female. Can Haoqi enlighten me and shed some lights to this doubts?

Thanks!

Look forward to your valuable answer.

Regards
Haiqi's Fan Club

wow! i think Haoqi will probably have much to say about this. This could be one of Haoqi's article in future. I would like to see what sort of funny questions Haoqi ask Ah Gong.... hee...

Haoqi: Look Ah Gong, I am not the only "curious" one around. There are so many "Haoqis"..hee.. erm, erm..and I am not funny!

Ah Gong: Don't be rude, Haoqi! Tell me, what you think of Jessie's question?

Haoqi: Oops....Well, from what I know, Buddha told Bodhisattva Aksayamatir in the Universal Gate Chapter ("Samantamukhaparivarto nāmāvalokiteśvara-vikurvana-nirdeśa" 《普門品》) of the Lotus Sutra 《妙法蓮華經》, that Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Guan Yin) will manifest himself in whatever form conducive for the propagation of Dharma and he will also appear in any kingdom for the deliverance of the sentient beings. So, the Bodhisattva can and will appear anytime, anywhere, and in any form to people in all walks of life, even though he is sometimes known to have 33 forms of manifestations, therefore, he can be both male and female. Am I right Ah Gong?

Ah Gong: Well, yes. However, being a Bodhisattva, as of all celestial Bodhisattvas, he has neuter gender.

Haoqi: Neuter Gender? What is that?

Ah Gong: It means the Bodhisattva is neither man nor woman.

Haoqi: In that case, why is the Bodhisattva being depicted in a female form?

Ah Gong: During the early days, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara was depicted as a male. The transformation from the original male to female form occured in China during the Northern Song Dynasty (960 – 1126), which is related to the story of the Bodhisattva's miraculous appearance in human form in the legend of Miao Shan （妙善）. Historically, the oldest extant version of this legend is found in Long Xing Fo Jiao Bian Nian Tong Lun (《隆兴佛教编年通论》) written by the monk Zhu Xiu (祖琇).

Haoqi: Who is Miaoshan?

Ah Gong: According to the legend, she was the youngest daughter of the King (庄严王）. Since young, she had always wanted to renounce the household life, but the King refused. He even tried to stop her from her religious practice by burning down monastery and killing innocent nuns. Luckily she escaped the massacre with the aid of a spirit.

Haoqi: The King is bad. Wouldn't that bring about bad karma?

Ah Gong: Well, the King who had shown disrespect to the Three Jewel soon contracted an illness which none of the doctors could cure. When he was about to die, a monk appeared and suggested a remedy, but he would need the arms and eyes of a person free from anger.

Haoqi: Oh! That is cruel!

Ah Gong: Well, remember, this person should be free from anger, and hence this has to be a highly compassionate enlightened being who practice generosity and self-sacrifice. The King knew that the request was almost impossible, and so the monk pointed out to him that there is such a Bodhisattva, and the King should send a messenger to her to present his request.

Haoqi: Did he manage to get them? Is the Bodhisattva Miaoshan?

Ah Gong: Yes, he did. The family soon realised that the Bodhisattva is indeed Miaoshan. After amputating her arms and removing her eyes, the holy manifestation of the Thousand Arms and Thousand Eyes was revealed. Before the Bodhisattva’s departure, she was reverted to her former self.

Haoqi: Wow, I only know that a crab’s pincer (claw) will grow back by itself, I did not know that human beings can do that too, and with so many extra arms and eyes. Can I do that too, so I can do my homework, watch TV programmes and play computer games at the same time?

Ah Gong: Don’t be rude again Haoqi. The Bodhisattva is enlightened, and hence could perform miracles. Furthermore she did it out of filial piety. I don’t think you are up the mark yet.

Haoqi: err…well, at least now I know the story. Hey, if anyone else knows of another version, perhaps you can enlighten me too?

Ah Gong: Yes, Haoqi needs more people to teach and discipline him…

Haoqi: err……

Wow! Haoqi is indeed very bright! This is impressive! Ah Gong has fantastic knowledge too!

Thanks Haoqi & Ah Gong for sharing your valuable knowledge! This is indeed a very informative forum for both Buddhist and non Buddhist who have doubts on Buddhism! Well done Haoqi for being "curious" and help me to solve my question! Cheers!