Avalokiteshvara

Newari Paubha Painting 

Handmade natural mineral pigments on canvas

 

Artist: Sudharshan Suwal 

 

The name Avalokiteshvara means, ‘the One who looks down with compassion’ or the Buddha of compassion. Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara is white in colour, four armed, carrying a rosary in the right hand and full blown lotus in left. The other two principal hands are raised to the chest with the palms enjoined in Namaste mudra holding a symbol representing knowledge. 

 

Avalokiteshvara in Newari Buddhism of Kathmandu valley is also known as ‘Six Syllabled Lokeswara’. The six Sanskrit syllables are "Om Mani Padme Hum"  and are widely recited in Himalayan Buddhism. According to Buddhist texts, Avalokiteshvara is able to change into different forms, for example a monk or a child, in order to help those in need. 

 

Avalokiteshvara is the earthly manifestation of the self-born eternal Buddha Amitabha. He guards the world in the interval between the departure of the historical Buddha, Sidhartha Gautama, and the appearance of the future buddha, Maitreya. Avalokiteshvara protects against shipwreck, fire, assassins, robbers, and wild beasts. 

 

The bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteshvara is depicted in many ways in different countries and cultures. He is known as the female deity Guan Yin in China, as Chenrezig in Tibetan Buddhism and as a female deity Lokeshwor in Newari Buddhism. 

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Avalokiteshvara mantra in Sanskrit: 

Om Mani Padme Hung