Guanyin or Guanshiyin means “The one who perceives the sound of the world.” She represents the Alvalokiteshvara and “The most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity.” The one who holds the power to assist all those who pray to her, as is mentioned in the chapter Pumen of Lotus Sutra and Karandavyuha Sutra. Originally, Guanyin is indeed the Avalokiteshvara, but due to a mistranslation, Avalokiteshvara is Avalokitasvara, which leads to Avalokitasvara as Guanyin in Chinese. Due to this, Guanyin is sometimes portrayed as a male deity but most cherished as a female deity in Chinese Buddhism.
This sandstone statue maintains the androgynous nature of Guanyin, sculpted mindfully. Keeping her masculine bodhisattva features in mind and her ability to take any form, her right breasts are exposed. But the artisan tried to cover up one side with the necklace and loosen the robe. More details about her appearance in this statue are that she is wearing her crown, which usually contains the image of Buddha Amitabha, her teacher. Seated on Lalitasan looking down with her compassionate eyes towards her devotees.
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