Definition:
Kwan Yin, Chinese goddess of mercy, is a manifestation in female form of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, which in Sanskrit means "The Lord Who Looks Down in Pity" or "He Who Hears the Cries of the World." The Chinese name means "Hearing the Sounds of the World." Other names of the bodhisattva include:
- Chenrezig, also spelled Spyan-ras gzigs, "With a Pitying Look" (Tibet)
- Gwan-eum (Korea)
- Kanzeon or Kannon (Japan)
- Lokesvara, "The Lord of the World" (Indochina and Thailand)
- Quan Am (Vietnam)
Also Known As: Lokesvara, Chenrezig, Spyan-ras gzigs, Kannon, Kanzeon, Gwan-eum, Quan Am
Alternate Spellings: Guanyin, Quanyin, Kuanyin, Kwun Yum
