A legend states that Kuan Yin was ready to enter the nirvanic realm after attaining enlightenment and completing her mission on Earth whereupon she heard the cries of mankind. She then turned back and vowed to stay with Earth’s evolutions until all are awakened and free. This is considered the origin of the bodhisattva tradition which thousands have walked since to be of selfless service to others struggling to rise out of the sea of samsara into heaven’s estate.

Known as the Mother of Mercy in the East, Kuan Yin has been revered by Buddhists for thousands of years. She is considered to be the greatest of bodhisattvas and embodies the divine virtues of mercy, loving compassion and forgiveness for all of humanity. Serving on the Great Karmic Board, the spiritual governing body which oversees the release of both justice and mercy for Earth’s evolutions, Kuan Yin represents the violet light of the seven rainbow rays and often advocates for a gentler and more merciful adjudication of both personal and planetary karma.

From "Kuan Yin on Mercy, Forgiveness and the Bodhisattva Path"