Four Arm Avalokiteshvara (Sanskrit)

Four Arm Chenresig (Tibetan)

18” x 24” ◊ Ground mineral pigment on cotton cloth

"He Who Looks with an Unwavering Eye" is the embodiment of all the Buddhas' infinite compassion. In his four armed aspect his first two arms are pressed together at his heart supplicating all Buddhas and bodhisattvas to look after sentient beings and protect them from suffering. These hands hold a wish-fulfilling jewel symbolic of Avalokiteshvara's compassionate motivation. His other right hand holds a crystal rosary, symbolizing his ability to liberate beings from samsara and reminding the practitioner to recite his six syllable mantra, "Om Mani Padme Hum". In his left hand he holds the stem of a white lotus flower symbolizing his stainless and compassionate motivation. The lotus in full bloom, together with two buds, stands for the three times and indicates that Avalokiteshvara's compassionate wisdom encompasses past, present and future. Over his left shoulder is draped the skin of a wild deer, representing the compassionate bodhisattva's kind and gentle nature and his ability to subdue the untamed delusions.

Avalokiteshvara looks upon all beings with the heartfelt wish that they be separated from whatever physical and mental suffering they may be experiencing. Each syllable of his mantra is directed towards a specific realm: OM (gods), MA (demigods), NI (humans), PAD (animals), ME (pretas), HUM (hell-beings).