Himalayan Art Resources

Buddhist Deity: Avalokiteshvara Art History

Avalokiteshvara Main Page

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
- Study Topics
- Masterworks
- Common Names
- Outline Page
- Glossary
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Mandala
- Textile
- Compendium Paintings
- Regions
- Early Period: 11th to 14th century
- Middle Period: 15th to 17th century
- Late Period: 18th to present
- Bibliography
- Confusions: Padmapani
- Others...

Videos: Avalokiteshvara

Tibetan: Pagpa Chenrezig ('phags pa spyan ras g.zigs)

Common Names:
- Avalokita, Chenrezi, All-seeing One
- Avalokiteshvara, Chenrezi Wangchug, All-seeing Universal Lord of the World
- Lokeshvara, Jigten Wangchug, Universal Lord of the World
- Lokanata, Jigten Gonpo, Lord of the World
- Mahakarunika, Tugje Chenpo, Great Compassion

Padmapani, as a name for Lokeshvara, is a Sanskrit term meaning 'lotus holder' primarily coming out of the Sutra literature and Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. The Tibetan language translation of the name Padmapani is not easily found in the Tibetan literature. The name is also not commonly, if ever, found in Vajrayana Buddhism where the forms of Lokeshvara are understood as meditational deities with clear descriptions and meanings taught in the various Tantras and commentarial material. (It is interesting to note that in the study of Art History the term Padmapani is almost exclusively used with reference to sculpture and not painting).

Database Search: All Images | Paintings | Sculpture | Mandalas

Jeff Watt 2-2007 [updated 9-2014, 3-2017, 12-2019]

(The images below are only a selection of examples from the links above).