Chrysalis Whisperer E* Bouquet Issue #2
March 2, 2012

Guanyin - China, Northern Song (960-1126) or Tangut Xia (1038-1227) dynasty, first half of the 11th century. This statue of Kuan Yin is an early example of the Boddhisattva (enlightened being) of Compassion. Translated, her name, Kuan Shih Yin, means She-Who-Hearkens-to-the-Cries-of-the-World.

Sitting in the pose of royal ease (maharaja lalitasana), this statue is over six feet tall, and the figure itself, in the standing position, would be truly tall indeed! Such statues were often posed sitting on a rocky outcropping overlooking a body of water such as a lake, or a waterfall, or a pool featuring lotus blossoms.

It is a wondrous experience to sit at the feet of this gentle image, and gaze into its serene face. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Honolulu Academy of Arts, it is on permanent display and well worth the price of admission.

When I was in grade school, my brother and I used to walk from school to the art museum every afternoon where we would wait for my mother who had art lessons, and then the three of us would go home together. Quite often, I would wander the various galleries and look at all the artwork. The gallery guards were so tolerant of my comings and goings, as long as I was quiet. One of my favorite pastimes was to go and visit the statue you see above here. While this early Guanyin sculpture is described as being male, it is said that the boddhisattva Kuan Yin is venerated in a fashion similar to that of the Virgin Mary in Christian traditions. People find great solace standing before such images.
Recently, I had the opportunity to visit this statue after not having seen him (or her) for years! I found such a profound sense of comfort in gazing at it that I was actually surprised by a flood of tears, and a deep sense of peace.
There are so many stories and legends about this boddhisattva. One tells of a young girl named Miao-Shan.

Once, in 7th century China, there was a king had three daughters, the youngest was named Miao-Shan. At the time of Miao-Shan's birth, the earth trembled and a wonderful fragrance permeated the air. Flower blossoms sprang up around the land.

The king and queen were amazed by this blessing. Unfortunately, they had what I like to call "I trouble" and saw little value in a child who appeared pure and kind.

When Miao-Shan got older, the king wanted to find a husband for her. She told her father she would only marry if by so doing she would be able to help alleviate the suffering of all mankind.

The king became enraged at her attitude. He forced her to slave away at menial tasks. She didn't mind because she believed that no small task was unimportant.

The king then sent her to a monastery and instructed the nuns there to treat her so badly she would change her mind. She was forced to chop wood, carry water, and tend a garden for the kitchen. Since the land was poor, they thought she would give up in defeat. To everyone's amazement, the garden flourished, even in winter. And if that weren't enough, a spring welled up out of nowhere next to the kitchen.

When the king heard about these miracles, he decided that he was going to kill Miao-Shan. When his henchmen arrived at the monastery, a spirit came out of a fog of clouds and carried her away to safety on a remote island. She lived there on her own for many years, pursuing a life of religious dedication.

Several years later, her father became seriously ill. He was unable to sleep or eat; his doctors told him he would die soon.

A wandering monk told the king he could cure the monarch, but he would have to grind up the arms and eyes of one free from hatred in order to make the medicine. He told of a boddhisattva living in the land who would gladly surrender her eyes and arms for the king.

The king sent an envoy to find this unknown bodhisattva. He was led to Miao-Shan and she gladly complied. The medicine was made and the king instantly recovered. The monk told the king he should thank the one who gave her eyes and arms.

The king set out to do just this. When they found her and realized who she was, they cried out. She spoke and said, "Mindful of my father's love I have repaid him with my eyes and arms. With eyes full of tears and hearts of shame, they gathered to hug her.

Clouds formed. The earth trembled, flowers fell from heaven. It is said in that moment she had realized nirvana. She wanted to go back, however, and help those still suffering. So it was she was given a thousand eyes and a thousand arms to see where help was needed and to offer a hand.

Here she is, with all those hands and eyes!

You may be familiar with the mantra Om Mane Padme Hum. Those two middle words refer to the jewel in the lotus. This is the chant of the devotees of Kuan Yin. It is said that the bodhisattva is present wherever there is the fragrance of jasmine or incense. She is there in the presence of a body of water, or a pool of water lilies. Her voice can be heard in the tinkling of chimes, or the soughing of the wind as it blows through a stand of pine trees. And her presence may be felt near a waterfall or a river or a still mountain pool.

A friend of mine who grew up in the Jewish tradition has shared a lot about various customs and ideas he grew up with. . On one occasion, he explained to me one of the meanings of the word "mitzvah." He told me that a mitzvah is an act of human kindness for which one will never be repaid. He told me a story about an uncle of his who, for years, paid for a family member's piano lessons. That family member, to this day, does not know how those lessons were paid for. My friend explained that a real mitzvah was an act of kindness for which one would never receive any thanks. He told me that there were so many times he wanted to tell that family member about his uncle's kindness, but alas, that would ruin the mitzvah.

Some people like the idea of performing Random Acts of Kindness. Stories abound of people helping other people in all sorts of unexpected ways.. Putting coins in parking meters, leaving large tips for wait staff at restaurants, or paying the tab for strangers. There's even a web site on the subject that's filled with inspirational stories.

Henry James gave the following piece of advice to his nephew Willie:
"Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind."

Sometimes in life, people are not kind. Like the king and queen, parents of Miao-Shan, some people place emphasis on wealth, money, and property over people. Jon Blofeld, author Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin, tells of meeting a Kuan Yin nun. as she told him of her life and travels, she swatted away at mosquitoes. She told him that greedy people reincarnated as mosquitoes. It was fitting punishment because mosquitoes seldom get enough to eat, and quite often they are swatted at and crushed. As she continued to swat at the mosquitoes, she commented that there must have been lots and lots of greedy people living in Shanghai. Here's a similar thought:

"If you step on people in this life, you will come back as a cockroach."
~Willie Davis

Let's do what we can to avoid coming back as insects ~ Let's be good to one another.

Here's another aphorism often seen on plaques and bumper stickers:
It's nice to be important,
but it's even more important to be nice.

Lady Gaga and Bullying

Sometimes kindness can come from surprising sources. Lady Gaga has begun the
Born This Way Foundation to foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated. They are dedicated to creating a safe community that helps connect young people with the skills and opportunities they need to build a braver, kinder world. Pretty nice, huh?

You know you’re in love when you don’t want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. ~Dr. Seuss

Your E*B - Issue #2
Chrysalis Whisperer
March 2, 2012 Greetings!
Compassion and Kindness

Dear Ones,

Thank you for reading Issue #2!!!

Thank you to those of you who provided me with feedback from Issue #1! One of the suggestions was to please make the font bigger for greater ease in readability. I hope this is a better size...

If you are new to the list, here's a little background on this project.

For years now, I've been compiling all sorts of "goodies." Poems, stories, quotes, anecdotes. Sometimes I sprinkle them into emails to friends. They have told me that my emails have been like an e-bouquet and that my notes to them have often helped them to turn around a difficult day.

These e*bouquets are collections of all of the above, on a theme. I hope you will enjoy, and please share this if you find it enjoyable!

Thanks for helping me to share this with others.

Sincerely,

Liz Towill
Chrysalis Whisperer