Cihang Zhenren (慈航真人)
Alternative Names (異名):
慈航真人, Cíháng Zhēnrén, Cihang Zhenren
Cihang Zhenren (Chinese: 慈航真人; Pinyin: Cíháng Zhēnrén), literally meaning Compassionate Travel True Person, or the True Person who traverses with Compassion, is a Taoist Immortal (Xian, 仙) who is considered by some to be identical to the Buddhist bodhisattva (菩薩) Guan Yin (觀音). Ci Hang Zhen Ren was said to be originally a Taoist immortal, then became known as a bodhisattva because of his endless willingness and effort in helping those in need. Records on the Immortal "Ci Hang Zhen Ren" could be found as early as the Yin-Shang Period in China.
In some Taoist records, Ci Hang Zhen Ren was said to one of the twelve disciples of Yuanshi Tianzun. In some Taoist temples, under the statute of Ci Hang Zhen Ren , there usually is a golden lion with eight additional smaller heads, which is known as the Nine Heads Golden Lion. It is said that the Immortal Ci Hang Zhen Ren can appear in the human realm in 32 different human forms("三十二应"), some of which are male, others female.
There are three anniversaries of Ci Hang Zhen Ren that have been celebrated -- The first is on the nineteenth day of the Flower Moon (Lunar Second Month). This was the day Ci Hang Zhen Ren prayed for the dead to be liberated from hell and blessings for the living (other legends say it was his birthday). The second is on the nineteenth day of the Lychee Moon (Lunar Sixth Month). This was the day he subjugated Ningbo Xian Zi (a sea spirit that caused maritime disasters) and successfully gained enlightenment. The third is on the nineteenth day of the Chrysanthemum Moon (Lunar Ninth Month). This was the day Ci Hang Zhen Ren accomplished immortality.
See also
Taoism
Chinese mythology
Guan Yin
Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cihang_Zhenren
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Chinese_mythology
Religion stubs | Taoism | Chinese gods | Chinese mythology
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