Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin (Shambhala Dragon Editions) [Paperback]

John Blofeld (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 1988 | Series: Shambhala Dragon Editions

This portrait of the Buddhist embodiment of compassion is both an informative study by a leading scholar of Buddhism and an engaging account of the author's search for the mystical significance of the goddess. An object of joyous devotion in Chinese folk religion, Kuan Yin is revered for her saving power: it is said that anyone in distress who calls on her with sincerity will be rescued from suffering and harm. On a deeper level, Kuan Yin symbolizes the liberating energy of compassion, which is an indispensable aid in the quest for enlightenment.

John Blofeld evokes the charming presence of Kuan Yin through colorful anecdotes, personal experiences, and descriptions of Buddhist rituals and legends encountered during his travels throughout China. At the same time, he offers a learned account of the goddess's history and importance in Chinese thought and religion. He explores the origin of the Bodhisattva of Compassion in India and Tibet, in the form of Avalokiteshvara (Tibetan: Chenresig), a male deity who evolved into the gentle mother/maiden figure of Chinese Buddhism. Meditation and visualization techniques associated with Kuan Yin are given, and her principal iconographic forms are described. Illustrated with images from Chinese and Tibetan sacred art, the book also contains translations of devotional poems and yogic texts. Bodhisattva of Compassion is undoubtedly the most complete and illuminating picture of Kuan Yin available.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The author evokes the charming presence of the Goddess of Compassion through colorful anecdotes and descriptions of rituals and legends.

About the Author

John Blofeld (1913–1987) was a world-renowned scholar and writer who devoted his life to the study of Eastern religion, especially Taoism and Buddhism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (February 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877731268
• ISBN-13: 978-0877731269
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.6 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,037,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stories, philosophy and history of Kuan Yin., May 16, 2002

By 

Stuart-Little - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin (Shambhala Dragon Editions) (Paperback)

This is perhaps my favorite book by John Blofeld. The stories of Kuan Yin are well told, diverse and moving. He strikes an excellent balance between philosophy, history, story telling, Kuan Yin meditation techniques, and personal devotion.

There are a few pages of b/w photos, of Kuan Yin, Tara and Avalokiteshvara, the pictures vary in quality. However, many of them I have never seen before and a few definitely inspire devotion.

The fact that John Blofeld lived and traveled in China, his joyous devotion to Kuan Yin, and his knowledge of the Chinese language and culture adds immensely to the book and puts it in a class by itself.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meeting Kuan Yin, July 8, 2005

By 

A. C. Lutzky - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin (Shambhala Dragon Editions) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book. It's become my favorite "bedtime stories" book. What I especially like is that the engrossing tales of personal experiences with Kuan Yin (as well as some with Tara) create for readers our own "virtual" experience of a Bodhisattva being as a reality; I feel I'm actually meeting Her, and I fall asleep in a very pleasant mood. I love many Buddhist books, but "Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin" is certainly one of the most absorbing and intimate. It's often whimsical and sometimes funny. At the same time there is a lot of new knowledge to be gained here, especially for people in the West who may not be so familiar with details of who Kuan Yin is and how she is regarded in the East. Also, there is wisdom, and good discussions of universal Buddhist concepts.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great "travelogue" about Kuan Yin, but not an academic work, December 6, 2008

By 

Richard A. Loftus "reader, doctor, writer" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Bodhisattva of Compassion: The Mystical Tradition of Kuan Yin (Shambhala Dragon Editions) (Paperback)

Like virtually all reviewers, I really enjoyed this book. But I also feel people should understand what the work is, and is not. This is a description of the author's exploration of the worship of Kuan Yin across many different Asian cultures he's visited, and relating anecdotes from Kuan Yin worshippers about the boddhisattva. The question at the heart of the book and its author is, more or less, "Who is this figure, why does She impel such passionate devotion among so many, and is She 'real'?" While he dabbles in questions about the relationship between Kuan Yin and other Buddhist devotional beings such as Avalokitesvara and White Tara, this book is *not* an academic exploration of questions of comparative religion or socio-anthropology, so if you seek that, this is not your book.