One of the most famous mythological figures in Chinese Buddhism is Guanyin Bodhisattva. His name means “observing voices.” When he hears suffering cries , he appears instantly to help . He is enshrined in Buddhist temples in China . He is also she, sometimes presented as being male and sometimes as female.
Cooperative Compassion
Guanyin Bodhisattva, poised compassion,
Sits ranked in almost every Chinese place
Of worship. She is distant … from passion …
And looks with many eyes from face and face.
Eleven headed with one thousand arms
She is male and female so that she can aid
Us each from all the universal harms
That set upon us. He will not be swayed
From helping. She is very strict and strong
About providing incense drawn support.
The colors of his irises look long
Across the world. Her mercy is not short.
..And we have many arms and eyes, yes, more.
….If we join forces, sympathy will soar.