The Gracious Avalokiteshvara, Of Thousand Limbs And Thousand Heads

Upon a wooden pedestal of solid charcoal colour stands Lord Avalokiteshvara. He is sculpted from pure brass of a washed-out stone-like colour, lending to the Bodhisattva composition something of a timeless quality. A thousand arms and a thousand heads, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara was so beset with grief and bewilderment at the goings-on of ihaloka (earthly realm of existence) that His head and limbs split into infinite pieces, yet resulting in a form that is in the divine sense more than complete.

The sculpture that you see on this page is a perfectly symmetrical number. It depicts the long, slender form of the compassionate Bodhisattva poised in the fullness of His stature. His anteriormost hands are in the namaskaram mudra and another pair gathered palm upwards directly below the navel (a distinctly meditative gesture). His upper body is bedecked with shining jewels; the close-fitting dhoti flowing gracefully below the navel.

Upon the infinite faces of Lord Avalokiteshvara, the composure remains the same. A handsome brow marked with superhuman compassion. The youthfulness of His features contrasts with the wisdom pouring forth from the same. A thick head of hair, contained by an unassuming crown. Note the presence of the Buddha-head at the very top, indicative of the final step of the Bodhisattva’s journey.