Kannon

Bodhisattva of Compassion

In India Kannon is known as Avalokitesvara. (S)he is the Bodhisattva of Compassion and Mercy, who chose to help save people rather than becoming a Buddha. This bodhisattva is supposed to guard the world between the time of the historical Buddha and the future Buddha. By the time Buddhism reached China, Avalokitesvara merged with a Taoist god and became Kuanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. In Japan Kuanyin became Kannon and is sometimes shown as female, sometimes as male. Kannon often is depicted with 11-heads and many arms. Along with Jizo, Kannon became a very important figure during feudal Japan. These two bodhisattvas helped people escape suffering from the "six courses" (rokudou).

The Karma of Words
William R. LaFleur