Thousand-Armed Chenresi, a Cosmic Form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
In this rare early painting of Chenresi, a cosmic form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, he is represented with ten heads and one thousand arms, which fan out to form a golden aureole. Each of the Buddhist savior’s hands has an eye in its palm, an embodiment of his power to radiate wisdom in every quarter of the universe. He stands elevated on a lotus pedestal and is surrounded by cave-like niches, each occupied by either a lineage lama or a protective deity. At lower left is an offering table with attendant monks. Two inscriptions appear on the reverse: one in Sanskrit (the ye dharma charm-verse, or dharaṇi) and one in Tibetan that praises patience, “the most holy ascetic practice.”
Artwork Details
- Title: Thousand-Armed Chenresi, a Cosmic Form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
- Date: 14th century
- Culture: Tibet
- Medium: Distemper and gold on cloth
- Dimensions: Image: H. 28 3/4 in. (73 cm); W. 24 in. (61 cm)
Framed: H. 46 1/8 in. (117.2 cm); W. 33 in. (83.8 cm); D. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm); Wt. 19 lbs. (8.6 kg) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, Lita Annenberg Hazen Charitable Trust Gift, 1989
- Object Number: 1989.18
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Western Tibet or Ladakh
14th century
Central Tibet
12th century
Tibet
early to mid-12th century
Tibet
early to mid-14th century
Mikyo Dorje
late 14th century
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