Avalokiteshvara Protecting from the Eight Fears: one of twenty-six deity practices in the tradition of Purnavajra and his student Shakyarakshita.

"Arya Avalokiteshvara is white, with Amitabha as a crown. With one face and eight hands the right hold a lion, elephant, snake, and ghost. The left [hands hold] fire, water, a chain and a person. The left leg is extended in a dancing manner [the right drawn up]; adorned with silks and jewels. In front is Yellow Tara with the two hands folded at the heart holding a jewel offered to the Lord [Lokeshvara]." (Jonang Taranata, Rinjung Gyatsa, [yi dam rgya mtsho'i sgrub thabs rin chen 'byung g.nas] pages 508-509).

Jeff Watt 6-2009