Guanyin Belief is a prevalent folk religion in Taiwan. Though several reasons might have contributed to its popularity, emergence of a large amount of stories testifying Guanyin inspirations bore the key effects to the phenomenon. After World War II, Buddhism publications frequently published stories of Guanyin inspirations, which were even edited into volumes of Guanyin Inspiration Collections for circulation by Buddhist organizations. The styles of inspiration collections include inspirational events, Guanyin Bodhisattva stories, relevant scriptures and hymns, and introductions to various approaches of studies. The contents generally contain stories testifying Guanyin Bodhisattva’s mercy bestowed to relief the characters of the stories from illness, flood, robbery, war, and entrapment, as well as answers to prayers for rain, children, evil exorcism, life prolongation, and rebirth. Parts of the contents are traditional recordings of inspirations; nonetheless, a substantial amount of local events have also been added. These events, local to Taiwanese, add to the contents even more diversity and refinement that respond to the changes of the times and bring even more personal touches to the believers. Stories of Guanyin inspirations often cause utilitarianism in the believers. Therefore, in addition to reiterate the mercy and empathy of Guanyin Bodhisattva, the devotees have also collected a range of educational events that advocate good deeds; some collections even have chapters dedicated to advocating the good and punishing the evil to expound the way of Karma (retribution).
