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A six-armed form of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara

approx. 900-1000

Asian Art Museum

Asian Art Museum
San Francisco, United States

Here the compassionate Avalokiteshvara, whose forms can have two, four, six, eight, or even more arms, is shown with six arms holding such auspicious emblems as a rosary, a book, and a lotus.
Characteristically, Avalokiteshvara has an image of the Buddha Amitabha (of whom he is a spiritual emanation) as an identifying symbol at the front of his hairdress. Here, Avalokiteshvara is flanked by goddesses. At his feet crouches a needle-nosed, starving ghost, whom Avalokiteshvara assists by letting him drink the nectar dripping from his hand.

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  • Title: A six-armed form of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
  • Date Created: approx. 900-1000
  • Location Created: India; Bihar state
  • Physical Dimensions: H. 18 1/2 in x W. 12 in x D. 5 in, H. 47.0 cm x W. 30.5 cm x D. 12.7 cm
  • Rights: Public Domain
  • Medium: Basalt
  • Credit Line: Asian Art Museum, The Avery Brundage Collection, B60S77+
Asian Art Museum

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