Goddesses: Guanyin - The Bodhisattva of Compassion

I think many of us could do with a little compassion in our lives at present, so here's a photo of a statue of Guanyin, bodhisattva of compassion in Chinese Buddhism. I took the photo when I went for a last look at the Feminine Power exhibition at the British Museum last weekend. The words below it read:

"Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who guide others towards nirvana, the ultimate liberation from the self and worldly suffering. Guanyin means Perceiver of Sounds as the bodhisattva is believed to hear the cries of the suffering and appear before them to administer aid. Known in Japan as Kannon and in Korea as Gwan-eum, Guanyin has the power to take on many forms - male and female, young and old, bodhisattva or layperson."

The statue shows Guanyin meditating while making the gesture for patience with her hands. I know patience is something I could personally do with more of some time. The description at the museum also makes the comment that, as Guanyin transcends gender, the bodhisattva can aptly be thought of as "they" rather than "he" or "she".

Feminine Power - The Divine to the Demonic closes on September 25th and I recommend going to see it in the next few days if you can. However, the catalogue that accompanies it is full of information about goddesses and other divine women, and is well worth reading if you go or not. In the near future I also intend to blog with some of the material from the Goddess workshop Laura Daligan and I ran at the British Museum this summer.

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/07/pagan-eye-hekate-at-feminine-power.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/08/mama-wata-at-feminine-power-what-do-you.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/09/pagan-eye-goddess-aphrodite-at-feminine.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/07/pagan-eye-kuan-yin-statue-at-garden-pool.html

Book Review: A Pilgrimage in Japan by Joan Stamm

This book is perfect summer reading.

A Pilgrimage in Japan takes you on a delightful journey to the 33 temples of Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, through the words of Joan Stamm.

This is an ancient pilgrimage route in Western Japan, which has been travelled for over a thousand years. It is a Buddhist pilgrimage, but honestly you don't have to be a Buddhist in order to enjoy the delightful and evocative descriptions of travelling to places of historic interest and natural beauty in a far-off country.

Nevertheless, publisher Mantra Books concentrates on the spiritual aspects of A Pilgrimage in Japan on its website, where it says:

Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is the one who “hears the cries of the world” and vows to “assist anyone in distress.” As the author embarks on the pilgrimage route that extends from the Japan Sea to the Pacific Ocean, through the ancient city of Kyoto and the modern city of Osaka, and to the many mountain tops in between, she allows the special characteristics and sacred presence of each place to bring forth relevant Buddhist teaching; letting go of attachment, contemplating impermanence, engaging in right livelihood, being of service, and other teachings found in classic Buddhism. The dharma, or doctrines of Universal Truth, intertwines with rich descriptions of mountain hikes, remote temples, modern Shugendo practices, sacred icons and the author’s spiritual insights.

Journeys change us. Those embarked on especially to contemplate or confront specific concepts can change us even more. However, Joan Stamm's contemplations aren't preachy - she isn't trying to convert anyone to Buddhism.

She describes the thoughts she has as she takes difficult routes to remote sacred sites, and well-travelled paths to quiet sanctuaries within busy cities. She contemplates the messages associated with each one when she arrives. She makes it clear that these are her own thoughts and feelings.

Through her beautiful descriptions she has inspired me to look for my own pilgrimage route; to seek answers to my own spiritual questions by travelling in body, mind and spirit to those ancient and sacred sites that call to me, on my pagan path.

You can view A Pilgrimage in Japan on Amazon.

Please note I earn commission from some links

Links and previous related posts
http://www.mantra-books.net/books/pilgrimage-in-japan
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/02/ley-line-pilgrimage-to-brides-well.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/12/lot-of-bottle.html

Guan-Yin - Goddess of the Week

Thanks to a suggestion by The Greenwich Phantom, this week's Goddess of the Week is Guan-Yin, Chinese Goddess of Compassion and Caring and one of the Four Supreme Bodhisatvas of Chinese Buddhism.

According to the website http://www.godchecker.com/ Guan-Yin's remit is victim support. It says:

"She supports the distressed and hungry, rescues the unfortunate from peril, and gives comfort and aid wherever it is needed. Guan-Yin's work would put many a charity to shame — and she doesn't ask for donations. She had finally attained enlightenment after much non-struggling with non-things. She was just about to enter Heaven to join the other Buddhas when she heard the cries of the poor unsaved souls back on Earth. Her heart touched by pity, she vowed never to rest until every single soul was brought to Buddhahood."

The picture shows a Guan Yin Goddess of Mercy necklace that I saw on Amazon, priced at £25.40.

Links
http://www.thegreenwichphantom.co.uk/
http://www.godchecker.com/
Guan Yin Goddess of Mercy Necklace

Benten: Goddess of the Week

Continuing the past two week's theme of the sea, The Bad Witch's Goddess of the Week is Benten, a beautiful Japanese sea goddess who rides a dragon and brings prosperity to those who worship at her water-side shrines. She is also described swimming through water accompanied by sacred white snakes and sometimes plays a harp.

Benten is also known as Benzaiten and her worship travelled from India to Japan with the spread of Buddhism in the 6th Century.

Cassandra Eason's Complete Book of Natural Magick says:

"Benten is eight armed. Six of her hands clasp a sword, a jewel, a bow, an arrow, a wheel and a key. The other two are clasped in prayer. Legend tells how she came to earth to save the children from an evil dragon."

The website www.godchecker.com/ describes her as a goddess of good fortune and says:

"The only Goddess among the Shichi-Fuku-Jin team of Good Luck Gods. Love, sea, music and literature are among her specialities. Ben out of ten for this one."

The print of Benzaiten or Benten by Mary Evans pictured is available through Amazon for £39.14.

Links
Benzaiten or Benten by Mary Evans
Cassandra Eason's Complete Book of Natural Magick
http://www.godchecker.com/

Poverty, Choice and Liberation

Poverty can be liberating, or so I’ve been told.

The Independent this week is publishing a series of leaflets called The New Good Life: Simple Skills and Pleasures for the Credit Crunch Era. These offer tips on such things as DIY, making and mending clothes, money management and cheap entertaining.

The idea is that although we are in a global recession, people are losing their jobs and everyone is tightening their belts, these circumstances can force us to improve our lives and save the planet at the same time.

The back of the leaflet says: “There are few activities so satisfying as creating from scratch an item of clothing that you or a loved one can wear – or saving a much-loved garment from landfill with a timely repair.”

It goes on to say: “You may be astonished at how liberating it feels to rediscover a simpler way of living and to become less dependent on other people to provide life’s essentials.”

I must say, I have very mixed feelings about this sentiment.

On one hand, I have always been in favour of minimising waste, mending things where feasible and recycling rather than throwing things away. I’ve also always tried to manage my cash to cut down on unnecessary expenses – but then I’ve had to, I’ve never had much money and sometimes I’ve been downright poor.

Which leads to the other hand: being poor is not fun, especially when you live in a consumer society where people’s worth is often judged by whether they have posh homes, big cars and the latest gadgets. I agree it is satisfying and sometimes money-saving to knit your own jumper or sew your own dress, but it is still depressing to fall in love with something in a shop window and know you can’t afford it. And it is far worse to know that your roof needs mending, but all you can do is bung a bucket under the hole and hope it catches the rain!

Of course, some spiritual paths praise poverty. Christian monks swore to remain poor – as well as swearing chastity and obedience.

But I am more in agreement with the Buddhist way of thinking; that while too much attachment to material things gets in the way of spiritual growth, poverty itself is generally bad.

Those for whom poverty is a lifestyle choice – monks, volunteer charity workers, people who have given up their job to be a carer and unpublished writers starving in garrets, for example – are probably going to be more content to be on a low income than those who have lost their job unexpectedly and have a big mortgage and a family to feed.

So, while I’ll keep my copy of The New Good Life – and may even try out some of the ideas in it – I don’t agree that poverty is liberating.

Choice is liberating, not enforced hardship.

The New Good Life: Simple Skills and Pleasures for the Credit Crunch Era was written by Eithne Farry, author of the book Yeah, I Made it Myself: DIY Fashion for the Not Very Domestic Goddess, with an RRP of £12.99, available for £5.99 via Amazon.

Links
http://www.independent.co.uk/
http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/live-the-new-good-life-with-ithe-independentis-green-living-series-1672287.html
http://www.buddhachannel.tv/portail/spip.php?article3707
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/01/bad-witchs-guide-to-work.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/03/spell-to-make-money.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/10/that-devil-money.html
Yeah, I Made it Myself: DIY Fashion for the Not Very Domestic Goddess