Himalayan Art Resources

Item: Avalokiteshvara (Bodhisattva & Buddhist Deity) - Chaturbhuja (4 hands)

སྤྱན་རས་གཟིགས། 观音菩萨
(item no. 61794)
Origin Location Mongolia
Date Range 1700 - 1799
Lineages Buddhist
Size 12.30cm (4.84in) high
Material Silver, Precious Stone, Stone Inset: Turquoise
Collection Private
Notes about the Central Figure

Alternate Names: Lokeshvara Avalokita Lokanata Lokanatha Mahakarunika

Classification: Deity

Appearance: Peaceful

Gender: Male

Interpretation / Description

Avalokiteshvara, Chaturbhuja (Tibetan: chen re zi, chag shi pa. English: the All Seeing Lord with Four Hands) in the pure realm of Potala.

"As the nature of all buddhas, Avalokiteshvara, in colour like stainless conch and crystal, very resplendent, smiling, peaceful and radiant. With four hands the first are folded at the heart, the lower hold a crystal mala and jewelled lotus, two beautiful feet seated in vajra posture, adorned with many attractive silks and jewels, beautified with dark blue hair in tufts [some] loose. On the crown of the head, the wisdom of all buddhas, is the Lord, source of all refuge gathered as one, in essence the Guru in the aspect of Amitabha, in the manner of the Lord of the Family, seated happily." (Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrub 1497-1557).

Avalokiteshvara is the patron bodhisattva of Tibet and is practiced by all traditions. There are numerous Sarma lineages and different forms of practice which span all four tantric classifications as well as uncounted Kama and Terma (treasure) traditions from the Nyingmapa School.

Jeff Watt [added 9-2023]

Related Items
Thematic Sets
Buddhist Deity: Avalokiteshvara, Four Hands (Sculpture Masterworks)
Buddhist Deity: Avalokiteshvara Main Page
Buddhist Deity: Avalokiteshvara, Chaturbhuja - Four Hands - Main Page
Sculpture: Dolonnor Style, Inner Mongolia
Collection: Bonhams Hong Kong (Sculpture & Painting. PM. October, 2018)
Collection: Sotheby's New York (Sculpture, September, 2023)
Sculpture: Dolonnor Style Masterworks