Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance

Subject: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Amos
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 10:08 AM

This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen:

Bodhisattva Dance.

A

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: mack/misophist
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 10:41 AM

They require a windows specific download to watch it. Rather than hunt for a work around, can you name another site?

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 11:08 AM

That is pretty incredible. Thanks, Amos.

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: GUEST,Gordon T
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 07:32 PM

Lovely.This is a dance depiction of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,the Bodhisattva of compassion,who is very popular in China in female manifestation,and known as Kuan-Yin.She takes various forms but her image in China now often closely resembles that of the Virgin Mary in Christian iconography - visually at least.This more ancient version is supposed to have 1000 arms,with each hand containing an eye (which I think the dancers have too).It means that the compassion of the Bodhisattva can extend everywhere.

         Gordon

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 07:49 PM

Extraordinary. And equally extraordinary is, all those taking part are all apparently deaf.

Here is the YouTube version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug0KNmxyyD8 - perhaps this might be better for mack

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: mack/misophist
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 09:18 AM

Thanks for the link, McGrath. Trivia time: Many Buddhists are embarrassed by it but, according to folklore, Kuan Yin is a hermaphrodite. The signs, if the statue is big enough to see them, are large feet, a large nose, and only one breast (often carefully hidden).

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: masato sakurai
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 11:16 AM

It's called "Senju Kannon" (Thousand-handed Kannon) in Japanese. Click here to see a Buddhist statue. And another one.

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Peter T.
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 12:24 PM

The Rockettes meet Kanzeon! thanks, Amos.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 12:31 PM

They didn't look like hermaphrodites to me...

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 01:16 PM

I might just report that a "bodhisattva" is one who has earned enough merit to get off the wheel of life, but waives that and stays on the wheel in order to help others get off. Or so I've been informed.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 05:12 PM

Music excellent as well. Where performed??

I have a Japanese print of Bodhisativa Kuan-yin as depicted by Tomioka, but, although concealed in a robe, her arms seem to be normal.

Kannon has been depicted on Japanese stamps, but only the face. Is there more than one?

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 05:36 PM

The McGrath link contains other links to the thousand-arm bodhisativa dance, one is labeled the "Pan Asian Dance Troupe" and also is excellent!
I have heard of this troupe before- I don't think it is composed of deaf people. Any information on the group?

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Amos
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 05:42 PM

Delighted that you-all liked it as much as I did. Masato, a pleasure to hear from you again!! Please appear more often!!


Mack: I have been viewing it happily using Safari under OS X.

A

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: masato sakurai
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 07:26 PM

Most Kannon (Bhodisattva) statues have two arms.

This Chinese group comprises 12 female and male deaf people. They belong to China Disabled People's Arts Troupe (their website in Chinese). The leading dancer is here (b. 1976). They are to appear at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Sorry, I can't read Chinese.

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: Effsee
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 09:15 PM

Absolutely amazing , even with the Riverdance sequence!

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: robomatic
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 09:24 PM

I'm smitted!
-said Bluebottle

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 11:09 PM

So maybe we now know where Busby Berkeley got a few of his ideas?

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 11:17 PM

I did some research on Kuan Yin a couple of years ago. I am no expert, I was mostly just curious after my mother gave me a Kuan Yin figure 10 years ago. He/she covers much of Asia, and the representation apparently began as a male figure in India, but in general it evolved (as it moved north and east) into a more feminine figure. I didn't see anything that suggested hermaphrodite. I have several sculptures, and some have more male characteristics, others are clearly intended to be female. Whichever, he or she is a wonderful figure.

SRS

Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: mack/misophist
Date: 14 Nov 06 - 10:29 AM

The hermaphroditic quality is generally supressed or downplayed. It's a tradition many find embarrassing. My Chinese friends usually blush or snigger when the topic arises; the Buddhists do, at any rate.