Gwaneum

Gwaneum, also spelled Gwan-neum or Kwanung, is the Korean name for the Bodhisattva of Compassion, originally known in Sanskrit as Avalokiteśvara. In Korean Buddhism, Gwaneum is venerated as the protector of all sentient beings, embodying the qualities of mercy, mercy, and boundless compassion. The title “Gwaneum” literally means “she who sees the world,” reflecting the Bodhisattva’s ability to hear the suffering of all beings and respond with aid.

Gwaneum is represented in a variety of forms across Korean temples. The most common depiction shows her seated or standing in a lotus-like posture, holding a lotus, a prayer wheel, or a small bowl of nectar. Some images portray her with a thousand arms, each hand embodying a different tool of compassion, while other statues emphasize a serene face, a single eye, or a stylized crown. Luminous, multi-colored robes and the emblem of a water lotus are frequent elements of iconography.

Historically, the worship of Gwaneum entered Korea with the transmission of Buddhism from China during the Three Kingdoms period. The cult grew particularly strong in the early Goryeo dynasty, when the deity was associated with royal patronage and the ambitious construction of Buddhist images. Gwaneum’s image was often used to unify diverse regional practices of compassion and became a symbol of the social harmony sought by the monarchs.

Korean Buddhist temples dedicated to Gwaneum, such as the Gwaneumsa temple in the Yi Sun-sin Fortress, serve as pilgrimage sites where monks and laypeople recite prayers, make offerings, and engage in meditation practices aimed at cultivating compassion in daily life. The festivals celebrating Gwaneum often involve public chanting, processions, and the distribution of food to the needy, reflecting her compassionate mandate.

In contemporary practice, Gwaneum remains a central figure for Korean Buddhists, representing a moral framework that emphasizes inclusiveness, empathy, and the alleviation of suffering. Her teachings are frequently incorporated into modern meditation courses and mindfulness programs, and her image is widely used in Buddhist art, literature, and popular culture. Gwaneum’s enduring presence underscores the universal appeal of compassion across time and cultural boundaries.