Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin

by John Blofeld

She is the embodiment of selfless love, the supreme symbol of radical compassion, and, for more than a millennium throughout Asia, she has been revered as “The One Who Hearkens to the Cries of the World.” Kuan Yin is both a Buddhist symbol and a beloved deity of Chinese folk religion. John Blofeld’s classic study traces the history of this most famous of all the bodhisattvas from her origins in India (as the male figure Avalokiteshvara) to Tibet, China, and beyond, along the way highlighting her close connection to other figures such as Tara and Amitabha. The account is full of charming stories of Blofeld’s encounters with Kuan Yin’s devotees during his journeys in China. The book also contains meditation and visualization techniques associated with the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and translations of poems and yogic texts devoted to her.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, China, Philosophy, Religion, History

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

John Eaton Calthorpe Blofeld (M.A., Literature, University of Cambridge, 1946) wrote on Asian thought and religion, especially Taoism and Chinese Buddhism. During WWII, he working in counterintelligence for the British Embassy in Chongqing (Chungking), China, as a cultural attaché. In the 1950s, he studied with Dudjom Rinpoche and other Nyingma teachers in Darjeeling, India. He later mentored Red Pine in his translation work.

Reviews

[David Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book many years ago, on the shelves of the State Library of Tasmania and could not put it down, not the least because I had stumbled across a statue of Kuan Yin, in blanc de chines porcelain and purchased it. This book captures a lost China of Buddhist monasteries, wayside shrines and temples, and a deep devotion to the Bodhisattva who hears the cries of the world - and responds. The book is full of charming vignettes of Chinese and Tibetan styories - some contemporary to the writer of Kuan Yin. Well worth reading.

[Edison G.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Blofeld brings us a small collection of rural stories regarding Kuan Yin, the Bodhisattva of compassion. Given the large time of Kuan Yin’s existence, which amounts to thousands of years since nobody can quite pinpoint her beginning , this is but the tiniest rendition to her miraculous “existence”.
I quote mark the word existence because she technically is not an embodied being and doesn’t exist in the material sense. Which brings the point of the debate of who is Kuan Yin? Was she an actual person or an image? Blofeld explores this plenty, also very unsuccessfully, since this is impossible to know.
You will see him question endlessly the true nature of Kuan Yin (something we westerners can sympathize with since it’s deeply embedded on us to want material proof of most things). He does not reach an answer. But it becomes obvious through the tales in the books, and conversations with monks, that the answer lies beyond our mental process, and were he and us to get over that mental barrier, we wouldn’t even need to question the nature of Kuan Yin.
One thing is for certain, the love that Bofled felt for the Bodhisattva of compassion is palpable in each page. Even through the most intense mental questioning, you feel the love in each page, the devotional trust he feels while trying to put aside the questions that are but a learned behavior.

[Mylinh Shattan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read about this book in my letter here:

http://treehouseletter.com/?s=compassion

I share my mother's folk tale of Kuan Yin and insights from this book

[Wyatt Reu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erudite and deeply intimate. John Blofeld as scholar of Kuan Yin and devotee, practitioner. I would say this book doubles as a great introduction to Buddhism-in-general for western readers. His insights are sharp; the anecdotes, stories, testimonies he had recorded from his travels and studies throughout his life all shine with a special kind of brilliance that one intimates is but a dim glimpse of the affection this man felt for the Bodhisattva herself.

[Quiver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book appeared, amongst others, on a street corner one day—the previous owner having decided to gift it to the first willing passerby.

I cannot say I understood everything, nor can I claim to have read it in detail or to have meditated on the meaning of what I have read and understood. However, the text has a sense of unassuming tranquility that permeates the reading experience, just as it is, incomplete and brief—so long as it is honest in its open-mindedness and seeking.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I was expecting or what I had wanted, and yet it turned out to be something wonderful all of its own, and something I'm very glad to have read. I've wanted to read something on the history, folklore, and rituals around Kannon Bodhisattva, something in the vein of Jan Chozen Bays book on Mizo. This book does include all those things, but in a much less academic way. Blofeld cites no sources and says that the stories he tells are told as well as he remembers, or "in the spirit" of the originals. He also makes assumptions on the origins of Quan Yin and how she developed from Avalokiteshvara due to things "feeling" right, not a reasoning any academic would accept. But if you accept that this isn't about academic facts and is instead about the non-rational you'll get a lot out of it. One of Blofeld's major points is that we in the west have often looked at how people in Eastern countries practice Buddhism and judged it based on our own ideas of what's rational and what isn't, and without fully seeing how the practitioners actually see what they're doing. We see "just sitting" as logical and the idea of rebirth in Pure Lands due to chanting of mantras as not logical. Yet both koans and visualizing incredibly complex images of Buddhas and lotuses have the same goal and work similarly. Blofeld writes, "Do not fall into the trap of making distinctions that are meaningful only at a very superficial level. Chan, Pure Land, and Vajrayana are not three paths to the same goal, but three gateways to the same path, or even one gateway seen in various lights." The quotes he gives from practitioners bear this out, with multiple people trying to explain to him that Quan Yin and Pure Lands are real AND exist within our minds. Dualities are often a trap in Buddhism. If everything is from mind, then why wouldn't Quan Yin be as real as a tree, or as an abstract notion like justice? Words can't explain things that are beyond the range of conceptual thoughts. As someone who is both attracted to and uncomfortable with devotional practices this was an important read. I'd recommend it to those interested in Quan Yin, of course, but also to western Buddhists who might look down on what they see as less logical practices, or practices that they don't see as aligning with what they see as Shakyamuni's teachings. Often dualism strikes even when we think we've escaped that trap.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offered a beautiful introduction to Kuan Yin, both as a celestial figure and a bodhisattva. The stories relayed were both powerful and charming, as befit Blofeld's description of Kuan Yin. I enjoyed it a lot and feel driven to seek out more information on her, but I felt the book was weakened by the author admitting often to "filling in the blanks of his memory" for many of the stories transmitted to him (I welcomed the honesty, but wondered why he didn't take greater pains to make accurate notes or use a recording device, since his hunt was specifically for stories of Kuan Yin), and also because he seemed to write from a defensive position, sharing negative assumptions about his audience rather than simply sharing the joy and knowledge he possessed.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the beautiful and romantic descriptions of travelling through a China of the past, I couldn't put aside my distaste for the author's outdated white male perspective.

What with this book and Shogun by James Clavell... I think I have learned my lesson about trying to read books about culture or history not written by people from those cultures.

[Wayne Gatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written book, looking at the esoteric and exoteric teachings concerning Kwan Yin and her origins in India as a male 'deity'. Avalokiteshvara. Also John Blofeld includes many illuminating tales and personal anecdotes. A recommended read!

[William Kellett · Rating 3 out of 5]

He explores the mystical and fascinating history of Kuan Yin. He tried to strike a balance between, belief, admiration, and logic. His retelling of his encounters with sages and Chinese myths make the book worth the read. Where it gets technical it loses its value.

[A.B. McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read if you have some experience and understanding of esoteric Buddhism and Kuan Yin/Chenrezi/Avalokitshvara/Tara. Lots of stories, dreams, visions. It all hung together pretty well for me.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most inspiring!

[Mateusz Grzesiak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly enjoyable and cozy read. It reads more like as a personal journal of the author rather than scientific analysis, although it only adds to its cushiness.

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

My biggest takeaway from this book is that calling upon Kuan Yin for assistance and manifesting her assistance with our Mind are one in the same.

[The Book Badger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted at ragdollreads.co.uk

TL;DR – A series of collected stories and information about Kwan Yin, Bodhisattva and Godess.

RAGDOLL RATING: 3.5/5 BUTTONS

Why I read it…

I came across Kwan Yin Bodhisattva some time ago – one of my Buddhist friends introduced her to me. It was interesting to see a prominent Buddhist figure who had gone from a male from (Avalokiteshvara) to female, some trans Buddhist folk I know see that as a really big thing for what I assume should be obvious reasons. Since then I’ve been meaning to research her a bit and this book was on a list of recommendations.

The Book…

This book is more like a collection of anecdotes than anything else. I could be wrong, but it doesn’t appear to have been actually researched. That’s not to say it isn’t accurate, just don’t go into it expecting references or academic stuff.

It follows Blofeld’s quest to discover Kwan Yin. He begins by telling us how his quest began – specifically that a bronze statue addressed him in a temple once. What follows is an examination of Kwan Yin from as many perspectives as possible. We learn about the manifestations of Kwan Yin – from Buddhist figure to Chinese mythical princess. Then we look at her origins in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism and her possible origins and a combination of Tara and Avalokiteshvara. Then we have some chapters on her history as the subject of Chinese folk tales, sacred rites and practices, meditations and so on.

Each chapter is presented as either first hand information or recollection of stories the author was told by people he has discussed the topic with.

What I liked…

I liked the first half of this book or so. The discussion of the theoretical histories, origins and interpretations was really interesting, and the fact that Blofeld provided (what he claims to be) accurate transcripts of discussions he’s had was a peculiar but welcome change from the usual academic non-fiction I read.

I particularly enjoyed the section where Blofeld discussed – at length – the connection between Kwan Yin and Tara. Blofeld treats us to stories of peoples interactions with these figures, without trying to dismiss them automatically as nonsense – and speaks of his own experiences that could be considered ‘supernatural’.

What I disliked…

The last chapter. I really don’t know what happened. I was enjoying the book until the last chapter, at which point it felt like the writing changed and all of a sudden I was reading a different book. For the life of me I couldn’t tell you how this book ended.

Final thoughts…

This book was an interesting read, and the format of collected anecdotes was novel and different – although what the means in terms of accuracy I’m not sure. It was worth reading though, even if I didn’t enjoy the final chapter.

___________________________________________
Please note: I am in no way affiliated with the author or publishers. I bought this book with my own money for my own reasons. The opinions contained within are my own and have not been influenced by any external entity!

[GORDON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful survey of the origins and development of Kuan Yin and the Taras in Buddhism. Blofeld shares his doubts, pilgrimages and inner thoughts as he relates literary tales as of Tara and Kuan Yin, as well as stories from people who have encountered Tara and Kuan Yin, in her many manifestations.

[Peggy Lu (PeggyLu Who Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book by accident in the library, or maybe it wasn't an accident at all. Maybe it was the bodhisattva reaching out to me, in some way. This book certainly made me more curious about her. I was raised by a buddhist father, but never heard of her. When I asked my father, he had not heard of Kuan Yin, either. Maybe I should ask if he knows of her (him) by another name. Maybe Tara? Anyway, it was a good read. I finished it in a day and a half.

[Robin P. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very white-gaze-y and appropriative. I should have known. White dude takes a tourism trip and finds religion. Spreads misconceptions of this religion that doesn't belong to him to other white people for imperialist profit. Like, who even fucking cares?

[Illy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this book. It's a surprisingly personal account of Bolfeld's experiences of faith, and of "encounters" with Kuan Yin.
Personally, reading this book is one of the first experiences that made me question my own personal relationship with monotheistic belief system.

[Demi Black Cre8tive Dreamz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Thomas for bringing her to life....

[Vanessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

okay i lie i didn't read, i skimmed. friend suggested it to help tara practice but it was way too scholarly and abstruse for me and i didn't connect with it so gave up. i am such a failure!

[Lisa]

like new

[Dreamersemporium]

very good