Wearing Buddhist jewelry has become a growing trend, with many believing that men should wear the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, while women should wear the Maitreya Buddha for good fortune. Let’s explore the origins and beliefs behind this concept.
1 Origin of the saying: “Men wear Guan Yin, women wear Maitreya”
This concept of wearing Buddhist jewelry stems from the relationship between Buddhism and the yin and yang philosophy, where males are associated with yang and females with yin. Thus, when combined with Buddhist amulets, Guan Yin, being female, represents yin, while Maitreya, being male, represents yang. Wearing these amulets is believed to balance the yin and yang energies.
Balancing Yin and Yang Energies
According to ancient beliefs, men are the providers, often traveling far from home for extended periods, facing potential dangers. Guan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is believed to offer protection and bring good fortune to men who wear her amulet or jewelry.
Additionally, men are often associated with being cold and aggressive. Guan Yin, representing benevolence, serves as a reminder for men to remain calm and peaceful when dealing with challenges.
For women, wearing the Maitreya Buddha amulet is a reminder to cultivate virtues of kindness, generosity, and openness, emulating the characteristics of the Maitreya Buddha.
Maitreya Buddha Statue
2 Is the concept of “Men wear Guan Yin, women wear Maitreya” still valid?
Many believe that this concept is not entirely accurate as in Buddhism, Guan Yin and the Buddha are not strictly associated with specific genders.
Instead, it is suggested to refer to the Chinese Buddhist Tantra, which associates the 12 zodiac signs with different protective Buddhas. Based on this belief, one should choose their amulet Buddha according to their zodiac sign for the most effective protection.
Choosing a Buddha Based on Zodiac Sign
The saying, “Men wear Guan Yin, women wear Maitreya,” has evolved over time and may no longer hold true. Buddhist scriptures suggest that each person is accompanied by a specific Buddha or Bodhisattva, influenced by their unique characteristics and personality, which play a significant role in shaping their destiny.
Buddhist jewelry, such as the jade pendant or Buddha amulet, symbolizes the importance of cultivating inner goodness and virtue. By doing so, one can attract good fortune and positively influence their destiny.
Guan Yin Statue
These are our insights into the Buddhist amulets and the beliefs associated with them. We hope this has provided clarity on the concept.