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146 EAST ASIA.
Buddhism offered its metaphysical subtleties, while it gained the adherence of the
lowly and wretched by admitting them to its pompous ceremonial, and promising
redemption from their sufferings in the after-life. The most widespread Buddhist
work in China is the " White Nenuphar," a collection of consolatory and loving
ISi
Fig.
61. THE GODDESS KWANYIN.
words and promises. Of all the Buddhist sects the most popular is that which
worships Kwanyin, the only woman included in the number of Buddha's
disciples. She is the goddess of mercy, the patroness of childless women, of
mariners threatened by shipwreck. She is often represented with a child in her
arms, and many of her images are exactly like those of the Madonna, whose