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Kuan-Yin is venerated as the goddess (or god) who bestows children,
protects women and anyone who calls on her when in mortal peril.
Originally Kuan-Yin was the male deity of compassion, Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara,
of Indian Buddhism who was sometimes represented with a thousand arms
and eyes.
The Chinese simplified the sacred form of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara
into an elegant female deity, often wearing a white dress and holding
the white lotus of purity.
Kuan-Yin is also represented with a child, seated on a lotus, and sometimes
covered by a white veil.
Because of her complete lack of malice and limitless benevolence and
purity, Kuan-Yin is one of the most popular Chinese deities.
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