Well, it's the eve of Kuan Yin's birthday so I spent a good part of the day gathering offerings for the big bash I'm hosting tomorrow in Her honor at the Tao of Tea at the Portland Classical Chinese Gardens.
She has three (yes, three!) birthdays each year and the first one always falls on the 19th day of the 2nd lunar month--this year, that's March 26th. Traditionally, one celebrates with silent contemplation; fasting or eating vegetarian; practicing acts of charity such as animal liberation or alms for the poor; and offering flowers, food and incense at temples. We're going to be making offerings of flowers, fruits, chocolate (she just looooves chocolate!) and incense as well as joss papers and then doing the Kuan Yin Oracle.
There is a line from a pilgrim song I just love--"Adoration to the 1,000 Handed Kuan Yin--I repay Kuan Yin's kindness with my whole life, with my whole life!" May I do the same...
Please enjoy this absolutely extraordinary video from China of 1,000 Armed Guan Yin Dance