Eleven-Headed Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion

Thailand

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 249

Such multi-armed, eleven-headed images of Avalokiteshvara were important to both Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist practitioners. This kind of representation emphasizes Avalokiteshvara's knowledge as well as his ability to take multiple simultaneous actions on behalf of the devotee.

Eleven-Headed Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, Bronze, Thailand

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Eleven-Headed Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, Bronze, Thailand
Eleven-Headed Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, Bronze, Thailand
Eleven-Headed Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, Bronze, Thailand
Eleven-Headed Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, Bronze, Thailand

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.