Tag: deity

Sonam Gyaitsen

Sonam Gyaitsen, “Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara”, Gilt Bronze, ca 1430, Jamchen Monastery, Tibet

The Lotus Sutra is generally accepted to be the earliest literature teaching about the doctrines of Avalokiteśvara. These are found in chapter 25. This chapter is devoted to Avalokiteśvara, describing him as a compassionate bodhisattva who hears the cries of sentient beings, and who works tirelessly to help those who call upon his name. A total of 33 different manifestations of Avalokiteśvara are described, including female manifestations, all to suit the minds of various beings.

One prominent Buddhist story tells of Avalokiteśvara vowing never to rest until he had freed all sentient beings from samsara, the wheel of birth and death. Despite strenuous effort, he realizes that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head splits into eleven pieces. Amitābha, the Celestial Buddha, seeing his plight, gives him eleven heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering. Upon hearing these cries and comprehending them, Avalokiteśvara attempts to reach out to all those who needed aid, but found that his two arms shattered into pieces. Once more, Amitābha comes to his aid and invests him with a thousand arms with which to aid the suffering multitudes.

Amida Nyorai

Amida Nyorai (Amida Buddha), Lacquer, Gold and Pigment on Cypress (Hinoki), Crystals, 12th Century, Japan, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

Amida Buddha, also known as the Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Limitless Life, resides over the Buddhist western paradise or heaven. He is the most loved Buddha in East Asia. Since the introduction of Buddhism to Japan during the 6th century, Amida Buddha has become the most popularly worshiped icon.

Until the 12th century the Amida Buddha was usually represented seated on a lotus flower waiting for our arrival to the afterlife. However during the Heian and Kamakura periods the concept of raigō (welcoming decent) became popular and Amida Buddha was often represented in a standing pose descending from the heavens to fetch his devotee and personally transport them back to his blissful paradise.

Amida Buddha displays one of nine different mundra (hand gestures) that determine the nine possible paths for the dying to enter paradise. This gesture ‘jōbon geshō’ is one of the best known gestures in Japanese Buddhist imagery.

Another distinguishing feature of the Amida Buddha is the extended lobe on top of his head to accommodate his advanced understanding of the truth. His large ears allow him to hear all people in need. The rose coloured crystal set amongst his curly hair emits rays of light to display his supreme knowledge. A single white spiral of hair on his forehead indicated by a white crystal shows his love and affection for humanity; and the folds on his neck indicate compassion to all people.