March 26, 2022
Welcome, and I hope your week has been a good one. This week, as we close out Women’s History Month, we turn our focus to the east and explore the story and the power of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Compassion. Known as “she who hears the cries of the world,” Kuan Yin embodies a timeless message of compassion and healing for all. I cannot imagine a better image of the divine to explore in our talk this week as our world continues to send out so many cries of pain, from the war in Ukraine to continued violence in other parts of the world to the continued despoiling of our mother earth. We see so much need for compassion, comfort, and strength.
In a month in which we celebrate the contributions and achievements of women throughout the years, it’s worth noting that Kuan Yin, one in a long lineage of Buddhas, is the first acknowledged embodiment of the Buddha in female form. Many depictions of her include numerous arms to reach out and touch all in need, as well as numerous heads so that she may engage each one of us directly, personally, and deeply. The energy and comforting presence of Kuan Yin give us light in times of darkness, and grace and mercy when the walls of despair seem to close in. She reminds us that the vow of the Bodhisattva to bring peace and liberation to all beings begins with awakening them in ourselves.
Please join us tomorrow as we celebrate Kuan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Immediately following our gathering we’ll have our monthly Community Meeting on Zoom, so please jump on the Zoom and join us for that as well!
Thank you.
