Birthday of the Goddess of Mercy

Goddess of Mercy, Birthday of the

March-April, 19th day of third lunar month; October-November, 19th day of 10th lunar month

The birthday of the Goddess of Mercy is a celebration of Kuan Yin, the Bodhisattva ("Buddha-to-be") of infinite compassion and mercy. One of the most beloved of Buddhist deities, he or she is accepted not only by Buddhists but also by Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans. This deity has been depicted as both masculine and feminine and sometimes as transcending sexual identity (with soft body contours but also a moustache).
The Lotus Sutra, or scripture, says Avalokitesvara (the deity's Sanskrit name, meaning "the lord who looks in every direction") is able to assume whatever form is needed to relieve suffering. He/she exemplifies the compassion of the enlightened and is known in Tibet as Spyan-ras gzigs, "with a pitying look." Kuan Yin, the Chinese name, means "regarder of sounds," or "of the voices of the suffering." The Japanese word for the deity is pronounced "Kannon."
Women especially celebrate Kuan Yin. In Malaysia, hundreds of devotees bearing joss sticks, fresh fruit, flowers, and sweet cakes gather twice a year at temples dedicated to Kuan Yin in Kuala Lumpur and Penang to pray for her benevolence. (She is feminine there and in China, Korea, and Japan.) At the old temple at Jalan Pitt, Penang, puppet shows are staged in celebration of her. In Hong Kong, Kuan Yin is honored on the 19th day of the sixth lunar month at Pak Sha Wan in Hebe Haven.
See also Sanja Matsuri

CONTACTS:
Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board
818 W. 7th St., Ste. 970
Los Angeles, CA 90017
800-336-6842 or 213-689-9702; fax: 213-689-1530
www.tourismmalaysiausa.com

SOURCES:
DictWrldRel-1989, p. 79
EncyRel-1987, vol. 2, p. 552

Celebration days:
2011: Mar 22; Jul 19; Oct 15
2012: Mar 10; Jul 7; Oct 3
2013: Feb 28; Jun 26; Sep 23
2014: Mar 19; Jul 15; Oct 12
2015: Mar 8; Jul 4; Oct 1