-This is Shadakshari Lokeshvara, a bodhisattva who is an emanation of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion.

-Shadakshari Lokeshvara is the lord of the six syllable mantra-om mani padme hum. When Buddhists say this, they are invoking the powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion.

-Shadakshari may be holding a cintamani, which is a transparent wish stone between his two hands.

-In the back two hands, he is holding prayer beads and a lotus.

-Above his head is Amitabha Buddha.

-In the front of the image, we see the Seven Jewels which are good luck. They are elephant tusks, coral, a cruciform object, king's and queen's earrings, pearls, and a rhinoceros horn.

 

 

This site was created by Sarah Rowe at the NEH Summer Institute "Literatures, Religions, and Arts of the Himalayan Region," held at the College of the Holy Cross, Summer 2008.