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Kuan Yin by Gnathan

The room was musty and the floored creaked as I walked down the attic that had been sealed since dad was ill. In recent days, his condition had worsened. I was called because the doctors had forewarned us that his days were numbered.

So, here I was, in the middle of the stifling afternoon in a cramped, not to forget smelly attic sieving through junk and old memorabilia belonging to my old man. My dad had always been a stickler for tidiness but of late the old mansion was in a state that would have broken his heart. The junk that was seen here was once displayed proudly on the mantelpiece like this picture of him with his favourite thoroughbred.

But what amazed me was the old statue of Lady Kwan Yin that was chipped lying on the attic floor. The one thing I knew about my father was his love for his family was matched only by his devotion to his favourite deity. My fondest recollection of him was how he was in his element during story-telling time that preceded our Dharma classes as he tried his best to relate stories of his favourite Deity to his young children and make it real to us.

My mind carried me back to a baritone voice :
There was a king of a small island off the coast of China over 4 centuries ago named Miao Chuang, He was the proud father of three beautiful maidens appropriately named Miao Yen, Miao Yin and the last being Miao Shan. Unlike her other regal sisters Miao Shan shunned the luxuries of the court to lead a very ordinary life. She spurned the royal dishes served and refused to be adorned in jewellery; to exist simply and humbly. She never meant any harm to anybody and was hardly the type to throw those royal tantrums that princesses were famous for. So gentle was she, that wherever she went, she was called "The Heart of Buddha".

The time came for the three beautiful maidens to be married. It was common in Old China for the princes and princesses of neighbouring kingdoms to be married off to each other. A traditionally arranged marriage to foster better relationships between the kingdoms.

So, King Miao Chuang had his first two princesses wedded in the typical pomp and splendour that was accustomed to royalty. When it came for Miao Shan's turn to be married off, she politely told her father that she would like to abstain from the act of marriage as she was determined to lead a live of servitude and celibacy. She explained with wisdom beyond her years that she was above pursuing gold and material possessions. Materialistic possessions would not assure her of a place in the Heavens. Enraged at her firm rejection to submit to his authority, King Miao Shan banished her to a mountain top nunnery.

Her father ordered that she be subjected to the most difficult and humiliating chores in order for to break her will and force her to return to her charmed existence. King Miao Chuang thought that it would be only a matter of time before she fleed the hardship. But Miao Shan proved to be much more of stronger that he imagined she would be.

Miao Shan was chastised to fetch water from the river at the foot of the mountain, clean the prayer rooms, take care of the garden and worked in the kitchen. Amazingly, she was never resentful or held any grudges against her father. She laboured hard daily yet sang praises to Buddha as if without a single care in the world. To her, a life of a modest servitude with only God in her heart was the best existence that she could ever have.

The Heavens were happy with her and showered blessings upon her. Miracles after miracles followed her as she continued to serve the nunnery unassumingly. A well miraculously opened up close to the nunnery so didn't need to travel to the foothills for water. The winds helped her sweep the floors while the garden yielded bountiful returns, sufficient to nourish all in the nunnery. Even the Kitchen God, Zou Kuan, stood guardian over her meal preparation so that everyone praised her cooking.

As the King had ordered to be updated of Miao Shan's progress, he was incensed to know that she was comfortable and even thriving in her hardship. This was all against his original plans of breaking her spirits. Slowly, as he was filled with antagonism and hatred, his old body became very sick. He became paralysed in his right arm and soon lost his eyesight.

Upon hearing the ill luck that had befallen her father, Miao Shan rushed to the castle. She was overwhelmed with compassion and mercy and begged the medicine men to cut off her right arm and gouge her eyes for her father's use. When the deed was completed, Miao Shan died instantly.

Her soul ascended to the Heavens where she was greeted by beautiful white robed angels. She was brought before the Lord of Heaven who bestowed upon her a new name, Kwan Yin Goddess of Compassion and Mercy, for the exemplary life that she led on Earth. Over time, she has become the icon of Chinese culture that embodies the true essence of compassion and kindness. Hopefully, as we light incenses and pray for her protection daily, she will look upon us from her throne up in the Heavens and cover us with her veil of benevolence.

And I hope that Lady Kwan Yin will be compassionate to my father as he begin his long journey towards his rest in the Heavens.