Paper examines the evolution and transformation of Buddhism in different cultures by focusing on the example of Avalokiteśvara, a Bodhisattva traditionally depicted as a man who was eventually depicted as Kuan-yin, a woman, once fully transitioned into Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhism.
The UNT Libraries serve the university and community by providing access to physical and online collections, fostering information literacy, supporting academic research, and much, much more.
Paper examines the evolution and transformation of Buddhism in different cultures by focusing on the example of Avalokiteśvara, a Bodhisattva traditionally depicted as a man who was eventually depicted as Kuan-yin, a woman, once fully transitioned into Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhism.
Physical Description
11 p. {{{: ill.}}}
Notes
Abstract: Bodhisattvas, celestial figures who serve to assist humans on the path towards Buddhist enlightenment, developed new associations with rulers, geography, history, and mythology. None of these developments are quite as striking as the transformation that took place in China. Avalokiteśvara, a traditionally male bodhisattva became Kuan-yin, a female bodhisattva. Why would the Chinese have found Avalokiteśvara more appropriate as a woman than as a man, where other cultures in Asia were satisfied with Avalokiteśvara being represented in the traditional fashion? When looking at visual and textual evidence we see that Buddhism has the nature to change in relation to its surroundings. The thesis of this research is that Kuan-yin’s sexual transformation serves as an example of how Buddhism transforms to take root in its new culture. Kuan-yin’s sexual transformation in China is arguably the result of Buddhism’s growing isolation from other Indic religious traditions as well as its assimilation of certain elements found in Confucianism and Taoism. Once transmitted and fully integrated in Chinese Mahāyāna Buddhism, Kuan-yin sexually transformed to fulfill the needs of the Chinese population.
This article is part of the following collections of related materials.
The Eagle Feather
Launched in 2004 by UNT's Honors College, The Eagle Feather was an interdisciplinary undergraduate research journal that promoted the work of students and their faculty mentors. The Eagle Feather was published annually until 2017 when it transitioned into the North Texas Journal of Undergraduate Research.
This collection presents scholarly and artistic content created by undergraduate students. All materials have been previously accepted by a professional organization or approved by a faculty mentor. Most classroom assignments are not eligible for inclusion. The collection includes, but is not limited to Honors College theses, thesis supplemental files, professional presentations, articles, and posters. Some items in this collection are restricted to use by the UNT community.
