Ep. 136: Twelve Tales of Guanyin, Part I
Tales 1-6
The name Avalokiteshvara (in Chinese, Guanshiyin or more simply Guanyin), means "The One Who Hears the Cries of the World." She* is famous for saving people in various kinds of distress.
*In earlier stories, this Bodhisattva tended to be male; in later stories she was female. I will use feminine pronouns, but she was known to appear in many forms, including--as we shall see--that of a monk!
Let's start at the very beginning. In this tale from the Ming Dynasty, Guanyin was present from the creation...
Tale 1: Guanyin and the Peacock
The Bodhisattva was in seclusion in her heavenly quarters when a herald approached.