Connecting to Kwan Yin
Through Prayers, Devotions and Spellwork
Level 2 Final Project
By
Penelope Hearthwoman
Kwan Yin and Prayers
There are many prayers to Kwan Yin, the Buddhist bottisatva of compassion. Several of them are listed on http://www.geocities.com/isisdownunder1/Prayers1.html . According to this very informative site dedicated to Kwan Yin,
The following phrase said over and over has been used to invoke Kuan Yin
for many centuries. Loosely translated it means - "I call upon the bodhisattva
who sees and hears the sufferings of the world!"
"Namo Guan Shih Yin Pu-Sa"
Below are 2 lovely payers you’ll find at the aforementioned site:
Daily Devotion
Goddess of the skies,
Please respond to my cries.
Lift me up in your strong arms,
Away from those who seek to harm.
Shield me from that awful rage,
That shall face me day to day.
Help me be strong in what I do,
And help my heart to remain true.
Give me strength to face each day.
And the hardships before me lain.
Let those who I love - love me in return,
And everyday let me learn.
I bid you Kuan Yin my spirit keep,
While I'm awake and asleep.
Morning Prayer
Oh Gracious Goddess,
Lend me strength, health and love,
During this coming day.
Assist me with the challenges ahead,
Share your devine wisdom.
Teach me to respect all things,
And remind me that the greatest gift of all is Love....
Kwan Yin and Divination
In “Kwan Yin: Myths and Prophecies of the Goddess of Compassion,” the authors
include the 100 poems written in the fifteenth to sixteenth centuries.
Sticks are numbered 1 to 100 and placed in a jar, then carefully the jar
in manipulated so that one or a few sticks fall out. Depending
on the nuumber on the stick, the querant consults the corresponding poem,
and interprets how it plays into his or her life. The poems are short
quatrains, and it takes practice to interpret their meanings and how they
play into one’s life.
Kuan Yin Tarot Spread
card 5
card 3 card 4
card 1 card 2
Look on this spread as a Mountain you must climb to heal or strengthen your spirituality (Similar to Pyramid Spreads)
Card Position Meanings
1. Spiritual Past.
2. Present Spirituality.
3. What is holding you back
(What Kuan Yin wants you to know).
4. How to fix it.
5. Spiritual Future.
Kwan Yin and Devotions
As for my own spiritual practice, my Daily Devotions to Kwan Yin go this way:
I light a lotus candle and a white pillar candle. As I light them,
I ask Kwan Yin to join me. I then light a stick of jasmine incense
as an offering to her and then pick up my prayer beads. Here are my
affirmations for each of the stones:
Silver goddess/silver moon ; “I am an embodiment of the Goddess.”
Round hematite and star-shaped hematite bead; “I am grounded and protected”.
9 clear quartz crystal chips: “My thoughts and actions are positive and sincere.”
9 amber chips: (same as for the crystal chips).
9 amythest chips “My intuition grows and strengthens.”
9 tiger’s eye chips ; “All my needs are met with abundance.”
These are followed by 9 chips of rose quartz (love), and then between 2 dangling
green beads I have 9 chips of the following stones; amethyst (happiness),
turquoise (protection), aquamarine (health), amber (physical energy),
lapis (clarity and clear communication), jade (prosperity). I’ve
placed those chips between those dangling green beads which represent the
world and all the blessings I ask Kwan Yin to give everyone. The chips
are followed by 13 round jade beads representing the 13 Moons of the Year.
For each jade bead I say the mantra Namo Kwan shi Yin Pu-Sa, until I end
with the jade Kwan Yin pendant on the other end. Then I hold that pendant
and speak spontaneously, asking Her for guidance and to help me face whatever
my day brings me. I thank Her for all the blessings I have in my life (and
there are many!).
Kwan Yin and Spellwork
Do a Google search for Kwan Yin and Spells and you will find many spells
where Kwan Yin ‘s gentle energy is called upon for healing, overcoming depression,
and combating infertility. She, in Her loving way, can also be
called upon for protection and guidance. I like to annoint a
jade-green candle with Kwan Yin Oil (www.witchware.com carries it) and ask
Her to guide me in the right direction when I have a decision to make.
My spellwork is very simple and never elaborate……I feel bogged-down if I
use too many tools. For me, simplest is best!
Bibliography
Bonheim, Jalaja. “Goddess; A Celebration in Art and Literature.” Stewart, Tabori & Chang. New York.
Boucher, Sandy. “Discovering Kwan Yin; Buddhist Goddess of Compassion.” Boston. Beacon Press, 1999.
Palmer, Martin et.al. “Kwan Yin; Myths and Prophecies of the Chinese Goddess of Compassion.” San Francisco. Thorsons. 1995.
http://www.geocities.com/isisdownunder1/index.html
This page is the intellectual property of Penelope Hearthwoman.