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Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance

12 Nov 06 - 10:08 AM (#1883731)
Subject: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Amos

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

Bodhisattva Dance.

A


12 Nov 06 - 10:41 AM (#1883754)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: mack/misophist

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


12 Nov 06 - 11:08 AM (#1883775)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: katlaughing

That is pretty incredible. Thanks, Amos.


12 Nov 06 - 07:32 PM (#1884252)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: GUEST,Gordon T

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


12 Nov 06 - 07:49 PM (#1884258)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: McGrath of Harlow

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


13 Nov 06 - 09:18 AM (#1884632)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: mack/misophist

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).


13 Nov 06 - 11:16 AM (#1884714)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: masato sakurai

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


13 Nov 06 - 12:24 PM (#1884782)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Peter T.

The Rockettes meet Kanzeon! thanks, Amos.

yours,

Peter T.


13 Nov 06 - 12:31 PM (#1884789)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: McGrath of Harlow

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


13 Nov 06 - 01:16 PM (#1884817)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Uncle_DaveO

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


13 Nov 06 - 05:12 PM (#1884998)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

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?


13 Nov 06 - 05:36 PM (#1885025)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

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?


13 Nov 06 - 05:42 PM (#1885031)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bhodisattva Dance
From: Amos

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


13 Nov 06 - 07:26 PM (#1885112)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: masato sakurai

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.


13 Nov 06 - 09:15 PM (#1885185)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: Effsee

Absolutely amazing , even with the Riverdance sequence!


13 Nov 06 - 09:24 PM (#1885192)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: robomatic

I'm smitted!
-said Bluebottle


13 Nov 06 - 11:09 PM (#1885241)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: Stilly River Sage

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


13 Nov 06 - 11:17 PM (#1885247)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: Stilly River Sage

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


14 Nov 06 - 10:29 AM (#1885486)
Subject: RE: Amazing Chinese Bodhisattva Dance
From: mack/misophist

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.