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Sahasrabhuja Avalokiteshvara is one of the different forms of
Avalokiteshvara (which is one of the 108 incarnations of Lokeshvara).
He has 11 heads and 1,000 arms. The main image is 11 headed and 8 armed. In the Sahasrabhuja Avalokitesvara 8 arms are prominent. The eleventh head on the top is of Amitabha. The tenth head is fearful while the other heads are placid. The principal pair of hands are in Namaskar Mudra (Gesture of Adoration) while the uppermost right holds a rosary and the uppermost left holds a full blown lotus. The lower right is in Varada Mudra (Charity Gesture) and the lower left hold the indestructible jewel. In the middle right hand he holds a holy vase and a bow and arrow in the middle left.
The back of the piece was made using a process called repoussé, the process of ornamenting metallic surfaces with designs in relief hammered out from the back by hand.
Avalokiteshvara and the thousand arms: Buddhist legend presents Avalokiteshvara as vowing to never rest until he had freed all sentient beings from samsara. Despite strenuous effort, he realized that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head split into eleven pieces. Amitabha Buddha, seeing his plight, gave him eleven heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering. Upon hearing these cries and comprehending them, Avalokiteshvara attempted to reach out to all those who needed aid, but found that his two arms shattered into pieces. Once more, Amitabha came to his aid and appointed him a thousand arms with which to aid the many. Many Himalayan versions of the tale include eight arms with which Avalokiteshvara skillfully upholds the Dharma, each possessing its own particular implement. His Mantra "Om Mane Padme Hum" is found inscribed on rocks, temples and prayer wheels throughout Tibet and Asia.
He has 11 heads and 1,000 arms. The main image is 11 headed and 8 armed. In the Sahasrabhuja Avalokitesvara 8 arms are prominent. The eleventh head on the top is of Amitabha. The tenth head is fearful while the other heads are placid. The principal pair of hands are in Namaskar Mudra (Gesture of Adoration) while the uppermost right holds a rosary and the uppermost left holds a full blown lotus. The lower right is in Varada Mudra (Charity Gesture) and the lower left hold the indestructible jewel. In the middle right hand he holds a holy vase and a bow and arrow in the middle left.
The back of the piece was made using a process called repoussé, the process of ornamenting metallic surfaces with designs in relief hammered out from the back by hand.
Avalokiteshvara and the thousand arms: Buddhist legend presents Avalokiteshvara as vowing to never rest until he had freed all sentient beings from samsara. Despite strenuous effort, he realized that still many unhappy beings were yet to be saved. After struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head split into eleven pieces. Amitabha Buddha, seeing his plight, gave him eleven heads with which to hear the cries of the suffering. Upon hearing these cries and comprehending them, Avalokiteshvara attempted to reach out to all those who needed aid, but found that his two arms shattered into pieces. Once more, Amitabha came to his aid and appointed him a thousand arms with which to aid the many. Many Himalayan versions of the tale include eight arms with which Avalokiteshvara skillfully upholds the Dharma, each possessing its own particular implement. His Mantra "Om Mane Padme Hum" is found inscribed on rocks, temples and prayer wheels throughout Tibet and Asia.