THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY.
VOL. X.-APRIL, 1841.- No. 4.
ART. I.
Sketch of Kwanyin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. Translated from the Sow Shin Ke. By J. L. S.
KWANYIN, originally called Shen, was the third child of Shekin senior, who dwelt in the mountains of Tsewling, situated in the district of Keshoo of the state Koochŭh-and by spiritual transformation of per- son was re-born in the state of Pihheuě. Her father was king Meaou- chwang, his surname being Po, and his name Heä, while the mo- ther was of the family of Pihya. The parents having hitherto had no inale issue, repaired for worship to a temple among the fragrant hills of the west. The celestial emperor,' however, declared to the father that he was at heart a murderer, and therefore his hopes of male posterity should be cut off, but that daughters should be granted to him. His eldest daughter was called Meaou Tsing, the next Meaou Yin, and the third Meaou Shen (Kwanyin). Now at the time of Meaou Sheu's birth a wonderful fragrance filled the apartments, and red clouds and brightness filled all parts of the house. When she was an infant she was remarkably intelligent, and had no desire to attend to human affairs. When she had reached her ninth year, she became strenu- ously disobedient to her father's commands,' and took oath that she would never marry. Afterwards, in consequence of her two elder sisters having taken husbands who could not succeed to the throne, her father then pressed her to conclude a matrimonial alliance, but Shen still positively refused. She was consequently placed under strict prohibitions at the back part of the garden, where she gave herself up to the hearty and sincere study of moral principles. On
VOL. X. NO. IV.
24