-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.
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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. |