Materials:

Gold plated copper

Himalayan crystal

Lapis lazuli

Coral

Turquoise

Dimensions & Weight:

Height: 15 inches

Width: 9 inches (at prahba); 6.5 inches at base

Depth: 3.5 inches

Weight: 2.25 kilograms

Shipping Origin: Kathmandu, Nepal

Description:

Master Nepali craftsman created this exquisite gold-plated copper Avalokiteshvara sculpture with individually inlaid pieces of Himalayan crystal.  Centered in the base is Garuda, the dharma-protector amidst other decorations of inlaid coral, turquoise, and lapis lazuli. 

Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin in China, and Kuan-yin in Japan) is the bodhisattva of infinite compassion and mercy, possibly the most popular of all figures in the Buddhist legend.  Avalokiteshvara supremely exemplifies the bodhisattva’s resolve to postpone his own Buddhahood until he has helped every sentient being on earth achieve liberation from suffering and the process of death and rebirth.  His name has been variously interpreted as “the lord who looks in every direction” and “the lord of what we see.”  Avalokiteshvara protects against shipwreck, fire, assassins, robbers, and wild beasts.  He is the creator of the fourth world, which is the actual physical universe.

According to legend, his head once split into eleven pieces with grief at realizing the number of wicked beings in the world yet to be saved.  Amitabha caused each of the eleven pieces to become a whole head with which to hear the cries of the suffering.  Upon hearing these cries and comprehending them, Avalokiteshvara attempts to reach out to all those who needed aid, but found that his two arms shattered into pieces.  Once more, Amitabha comes to his aid and invests him with a thousand arms with which to aid the suffering multitudes.

In painting he is usually shown white in color.  His female consort is the goddess Tara.  His traditional residence is the mountain Potala, and his images are frequently placed on hilltops.

Avalokiteshvara was introduced into Tibet in the 7th century, where he quickly became the most popular figure in the pantheon, successively reincarnated in each Dalai Lama.  He is credited with introducing the prayer mantra om mani padme hum (frequently translated as “the jewel is in the lotus”) to the people of Tibet.