The Female Buddha: Discovering the Heart of Liberation and Love

Drawing on Guanyin, the central female deity of East Asian Buddhism, photographer and writer Deborah Bowman brings us inspirational images to contemplate. Paired with the wise words of women teachers from the time of the Buddha to the present day, this book is a celebration of beauty and truth. The Female Buddha teaches us to tame our minds and bring compassion into the world. A foreword by author Sandy Boucher offers insight into the yearning of both women and men for a female source of spiritual wisdom and strength. In the introduction transformative stories convey a brief history of Guanyin, the goddess of compassion. Included are insights into Buddhist philosophy and glimpses into the many contributions of Buddhist women over time. Deborah shares some of her travel adventures capturing photographs and meeting practitioners in the temples and monasteries of East Asia. Over 80 moving photographs and 54 quotations offering a depth and breadth of spiritual wisdom. Commentary on the photos offers vivid details about the place, history and symbolic content of each photograph. Included is a brief biography of each of the women quoted in the book capturing their bountiful offerings and diversity.