Fish-Basket Guanyin

Fish-Basket Guanyin , 1700s–1800s, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

Where object was made: China

Material/technique: paint; ivory

Dimensions:
Object Height/Width (Height x Width): 40.5 x 13.3 cm
Object Height/Width (Height x Width): 15 15/16 x 5 1/4 in

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.0569.a,b

Not on display

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Salina Art Center: Shattering the Void: Realms of Meaning in East Asian Art

Guanyin is the Chinese translation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. A bodhisattva is an individual who has delayed becoming a Buddha in order to save all sentient beings. The female representation of the fish-basket Guanyin references a story in which she appeared in a fish market and offered to marry the fisherman who memorized the most sutras, or Buddhist scriptures, thus leading them toward enlightenment. Soon after she married, she passed away and her body disappeared, revealing her divine nature to the village.

Guanyin [gwahn-yin] is a religious figure in Chinese culture, sometimes called the goddess of compassion, who taught people about Buddha. This Guanyin is shown as a woman holding a fish basket. In one story, she appeared as a beautiful young fisherwoman in a market and offered to marry the fisherman who memorized the most sutras, or Buddhist prayers. Soon after she married, she passed away and her body disappeared, revealing her true identity to the village. Compassion is feeling concerned for other people’s suffering and sadness. Who have you seen treat people with compassion? How can you show compassion to those around you?