The pink lotus  symbolizes the purity and wonder of our awakened Buddha nature.  Kuan Yin  is the Buddha of Great Compassion.  In Chinese, Kuan Yin means "the One Who Hears the Cries of the World."  Over the centuries, many have heard Kuan Yin's voice, many have met Kuan Yin's image in their hearts.  Kuan Yin has touched and shaped their lives, offered hopes and brought out the potential within those who suffered or felt hopeless.  Just as the light of the sun finds the lotus beneath the leaves, so does the light of  Kuan Yin's smile find all sentient beings in all realms and all planes of existence.  This painting depicts Kuan Yin holding a lotus flower which symbolizes the innate purity of the Buddha nature.  (3/8/10)