Kuan Yin’s Birthdays
March 21, 2022 is Kuan Yin’s (aka Guan Yin’s) birthday. She is known as the bodhisattva of infinite compassion in East Asian Buddhism. Her name translates to “Observing the Sounds of the World” and describes her ability to listen to pleas from people so that she can help the needy. Every year, she is celebrated with three birthdays.
- The first birthday falls on the 19th day of the 2nd Chinese lunar month.
- The second birthday falls on the 19th day of the 6th Chinese lunar month (March 21, 2022 on our calendar. )
- The third birthday falls on the 19th day of the 9th Chinese lunar months.
The placement of her birthday on the lunar calendar means that on the Gregorian calendar it can fall anywhere from the beginning of April to the end of March—depending upon the year. During these celebrations, devotees flock to temples bearing the quintessential prayer items such as joss sticks, fruits, flowers, and pastries. At home we love to celebrate the Goddess by enjoying TIEGUANYIN Oolong Tea.
Kuan Yin’s Birthday In Taiwan
Kuan Yin, was worshiped as the male bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara in Tibet and India, and prior to the Song Dynasty in China. Originally, the deity was given the attributes of both genders but became increasingly associated with mother-goddesses in China. By the 12th century, she was interpreted as a female form—depicted as a white-robed woman. Sometimes she holds a vessel of Compassion or a baby in her arms.
Kuan Yin’s Special Tea
Kuan Yin is associated with fragrant oolong tea due to the tea’s history.
One legend is that many centuries ago, there was a poor farmer who tended to a rather run-down Guanyin temple. One day the bodhisattva came to him in his dream. There, she told him to look into a cave upon waking, and he will find a treasure worth sharing. So he did and found a tiny tea tree which he planted and carefully tended to.
The tea tree grew big and tall and yielded an especially delicious type of tea. He called the tea Tie Guan Yin (Iron Goddess tea) and shared it with his community, continuing to live a prosperous life and every day caring for the temple and the Goddess which inhabits it. True or not, many still believe that some of these very first ancient tea trees grow in the Anxi region.
- Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease.
- Lowers cholesterol levels.
- Lowers Risk of Cancer
- Decreases Inflammation
- Helps Fight Obesity
- Diabetes Prevention
- Boosts Energy and Endurance
- Improves Tooth and Skin Health.
