Topic: Avalokiteshvara

[Nichi]

[Nichi]

[Nichi]

Masculine Forms

One Face and Two Arms

Lokanatha 
Khasarpana or Khasarpani
Padmanarteshvara 
Nilakhanta
Padmapani
Simhanada 
Tailokyavashamkara
Vajradharma 

One Face and Four Arms

Chaturbhuja
Jinasagara 
Shadakshrilokeshvara 
Rakta Lokeshvara

One Face and Eight Arms

Amoghapasha 

Three Faces

Chintachakra

Eleven Faces

Ekadashamukha 
Sahasrabhujalokeshvara 
Vajragarbha

Feminine Forms

Guanyin (Chinese)/Kannon(Japanese)

[Nichi]

[Nichi]

I read in an article recently that "the jewel" A is holding is supposed to be blue beryl  - though I'm sure there are many schools of thought on the matter.

[Nichi]

[Michael]

That is so beautiful - mystical.

[Nichi]

That is so beautiful - mystical.

Tis! Those clothes...
It's Korean, whose art I haven't encountered much.

[Nichi]

[Nichi]

BODH|SATTVA WHITE AVALOKITESHVARA (AMOGHAPASHA LOKESHVARA).

14th century, Malla dynasty, Early Malla period, Nepal. Polychromed woodH: 162.5 W: 96.0 D: 37.0 cm. Purchase - Friends of the Freer and Sackler Galleries and Sigrid and Vinton Cerf, F2000.5

Standing poised in the elegant tribhanga (triple-bent) pose, White Avalokiteshvara (literally, The Lord Who Looks down from on High) is a popular guardian deity of the Kathmandu Valley of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, and pious Buddhists perform a special puja (ritual worship) to him each month. The beauty of the oval face, the sinuous lines of the torso, and the deft addition of paint make a significant statement about the achievement of Himalayan art. The image, which would have been honored within the shrine of a Buddhist monastery, is in exceptional condition considering that as a consecrated figure (X-rays reveal the insertion of a variety of metal objects and prayers that empower it), it frequently received ritual baths.

Carved from a single large piece of wood, the image testifies to Nepalese skill in woodcarving. The wood is from the shal tree (shorea robusta), a tropical hardwood highly resistant to decay and insect damage, and therefore favored by sculptors. Artists covered the figure with a smooth layer of gesso (a fine, white plaster) and painted it in a variety of colors and patterns. Missing today is the inlay of precious stones, a Himalayan specialty, as well as two of the eight additional arms.

Freer Gallery of Art. Washington, DC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:White_avalokiteshvara.jpg

[Michael]

And can you pronounce it?

[erik]

And can you pronounce it?

Is there a trick in saying that name?

[Michael]

Yes, firstly it's a tongue twister, and secondly, you have to decide if you are on the Chinese (Kuan Yin) Buddhist side - Avalokitasvara - or the Indian (Shiva) Buddhist side - Avalokitesvara.

But you can look these up on google for pronouncing, it's just the sounds never seem to stick in my mind for long.