Kuan-Yin is one of the most universally loved dieties of Buddism. She is known as a Goddess of Compassion and Loving Kindness, and alters, throughout the Orient, have been dedicated to her. Her followers constantly pray to both her presence and her flame, seeking her guidance in every aspect of their lives. Kuan-Yin is quite frequently referred to as "Kuan Shih Yin," as well, which translates, quite literally, to mean "the one who regards, looks on, or hears the sounds of the world."
In India, Kuan-Yin is known as Avalokitesvara, which is a Sanskrit word that means "to gaze or regard something." When Avalokitesvara was translated by the Chinese, it then became Kuan Shih Yin-Kuan, which means "to regard." The word Shih means the "world," and the word Yin means the "sounds. Pu Sa is Chinese for Bodhisattva, so that particular mantra ends up meaning "to take refuge in the Bodhisattva who listens to the sounds of the world".
Throughout Asia, whether in Japan, Korea, Tibet, or China, images of Kuan-Yin appear everywhere: in homes, in temples, and within thousands of shrines, roadside grottos and shaded pools. Kuan-Yin's followers often bring her gifts of flowers and fruit. Those gifts are never brought in supplication, though, because Kuan-Yin has neither the need nor the desire for that. Rather, she prefers to lead her followers in whatever direction is best suited for them, and she does so gently, and with love. Knowing that, it is easily understandable why Kuan-Yin is considered to be one of the kindest and giving Goddesses that the world has ever known.
Kuan-Yin has always been an inspiration to her followers. When they hear tales about her many noble actions, they find themselves wanting to help others, as well, by giving of themselves, or what they might have. Following in Kuan-Yin's footsteps, they also embrace her belief that people must avoid causing pain to any creature in the universe.
Kuan-Yin is seen, by the humble, as the Great Mother Goddess, who is also their friend, benefactor and protector, while philosophers tend to see her as the divine force of compassion, spreading harmony throughout the universe. Some of Kuan-Yin's followers say that they feel her near them, while a few even claim that she has appeared before them.
A seventh century Tibetan painting depicts Avalokitesvara Kuan-Yin having a thousand arms with which to scatter her blessings. She really has no need for all those arms, though. Two arms and hands are all that is necessary for Kuan-Yin to hold the particular objects that she requires to help others. In one hand she holds a vase containing amrita, which is the dew of immortality; while in the other, she holds a spray of willow branches, that she uses to sprinkle compassion and infinate mercy upon her followers.
The Chinese revere Kuan-Yin, with great joy, and they cast her in the role of a savior. It is believed that anyone in distress who calls to Kuan-Yin with complete sincerity, will be rescued by her from all suffering and harm. Looking at that from another perspective, Kuan-Yin symbolizes the liberating energy of compassion, which is an indispensable aid in the quest for enlightenment.