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

Avalokiteshvara, Chaturbhuja (Tibetan: chen re zi, chag shi pa. English: the All Seeing Lord with Four Hands). There are several forms of Lokeshvara with four hands but the earliest and most famous iconography is with this Three Deity Chaturbhuja originating in the Karandavyuha Sutra, also famous for the first use of the six syllable mantra - om mani padme hum.

The central figure is Avalokiteshvara, white in colour, with four hands. At his right is the male attendant Manidharin, yellow in colour, and at the left, the female, Shadakshari, white in colour. Both are similar to the Lord in colour, ornaments and appearance. Sometimes they are referred to as the son and daughter of Lokeshvara. Sometimes Shadakshari is referred to as the consort. The iconography for the two attendant figures is not consistent nor is it necessarily fixed in a single authoritative text. They can appear either white or yellow in colour and have either two arms or four. Often Manidharin appears with two arms and Shadakshari with four.

"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 jeweled 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).

At the top in a horizontal register beginning at the left side are the lineage teachers chronologically arranged including the two important figures of Atisha and Dromton. Arranged in the multi-coloured rock stave and mountain landscape setting above the central figure are the Five Symbolic Buddhas interspersed with yogi and rishi-like figures. At the upper left in a small square register is Manjushri. On the right side of the composition is Krodha Vajrapani. Together with Avalokiteshvara these three are known as the Three Lords of the World

At the bottom left side are three monastic figures along with Green Tara and Red Hayagriva. On the right side, in front of shrine offerings, are an additional monastic and five donor figures wearing lay attire.

The painting contains three sets of iconographic figures:
- Chaturbhuja Avalokita Three Deity Configuration.
- The Three Lords of the World
- The Five Symbolic Buddhas.

Jeff Watt, [added 11-2024]