A shrine to Kuan Yin (Guanyin 觀音) at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. It is managed by a full blown Kuan Yin Temple across the street.
Kuan Yin originated in India as the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. In China, from the 7th to the 14th century, he gradually transformed from a minor male deity to the goddess of compassion with a Madonna like figure.
It is said that the name of the camera maker, Canon, came from its first product Kwanon, which is the Japanese name of Kuan Yin. |