Guanyin Bodhisattva Hall, housed on the left side of Main Hall, mainly worships Guanyin Bodhisattva. ‘The Birth of Heavenly Princess’, Records of the Apparition of Heavenly Princess, describes the religious origin of the birth of Mazu: ‘Both parents often did charity work, were willing to help others, and worshipped Guanyin. When the father was more than 40 years old, he often prayed for having children. In early summer in June, Qing Zan prayed to the Heaven and said, ‘The couple was philanthropic without excessive desire. Hope the Heaven will bless them to have a child to glorify their family.’ At the same night, Wang dreamed of Qing Zan telling her ‘God will bless you’ and giving her a pill saying, ‘Take this, and you will be blessed.’ Afterwards, she was pregnant. The couple joyfully said, ‘God blesses my child.’
Guanyin Bodhisattva is one of the great Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism. The Sanskrit name for the Bodhisattva is known as ‘Avalokitesvara’, meaning ‘Lord who observes from the top’ or ‘God that observes the lower realm’. Dharmaraka of Western Jin dynasty translated the name of the Bodhisattva as ‘Light of the Worldly Sounds’ (Guangshi yin) whereas Kum Yao Qin translated as ‘Observing the Worldly Sounds’. During Tang dynasty, Xuan Zang gave a new translation known as ‘observing oneself and achieving freedom’ (Guanshi yin). It was believed that Mount Putuo of the Zhoushan Archipelago was the Buddhist site where the Bodhisattva frequented. As the place is situated in the Southeastern seaside, the Bodhisattva is also known as ‘The Bodhisattva of the Southern Seas Observing the Worldly Sounds’. As the existence of Mazu has to do with the White-robed Guanyin, as well as the compassionate nature of Guanyin known for her deeds of saving the mortals from suffering, the worship of Mazu is also combined with that of Guanyin. There is also a belief that Mazu is the incarnation of Guanyin. Hence in most Mazu temples, the Guanyin Bodhisattva is also worshipped.