Kuan Yin:
She Who Hears the Cries of the World
Watch videos from the play, see photos of the performances, read testimonials.)
To hear her name or see her form, |
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— Lotus Sutra |
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Every year in March, Living Wisdom School presents a theater production of the life of a great soul. Past plays have focused on the lives of Buddha, Saint Francis, Joan of Arc, Moses, Jesus, Krishna, and Yogananda. There have been 13 plays in all. Last year, we traveled to ancient Persia to portray the life of the mystical Sufi poet, Hafiz.
This year’s play retells the life of Kuan Yin, Chinese Goddess of Compassion. (The play is entitled Kuan Yin: She Who Hears the Cries of the World.)
Kuan Yin is believed to be an exalted bodhisattva who delayed her enlightenment in order to ease the sufferings of all beings. However, devotees throughout China call on Kuan Yin as their Divine Mother. There is a saying in China: “Everyone knows how to chant Amitabha Buddha, and every household worships Kuan Yin.”
The process of rehearsing and performaning is a living laboratory for the school children. The youngest children grow in confidence as they practice their dances and learn to cooperate with the other performers.
The older children develop their concentration by memorizing their lines. A boy who had a large speaking part in the play was having trouble in math. His teacher said, “Anyone who can memorize so many lines can surely learn his multiplication tables.” The boy was inspired and quickly learned his "timeses."
All of the children face the challenge of performing before audiences of over 250 people. After a performance, the mother of one of the performers remarked amid tears, “I couldn’t have done that! And I never would have believed that she could. She has always been so shy. You have no idea what a transformation this is!”
You can watch video clips of the play here. A DVD of the play is for sale. Copies of our Hafiz and Yogananda plays are available for sale or to borrow. Please contact us if interested, or call the school at (650)462-8150.
Directions to Living Wisdom School
Living Wisdom School
456 College Avenue
Palo Alto, California 94306
(650) 462-8150
info@livingwisdomschool.org
