Hand-Painted Sahasrabhuja Mandala Thangka, Tibetan Gold Painting

Sahasrabhuja 1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara: Avalokiteshvara is the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Among the Bodhisattvas, Avalokiteshvara has the most forms and is perhaps the most venerated and popular Buddhist deity. His sex, originally masculine, is sometimes considered feminine in China and Japan, although this discrimination is unsupported by any canonical text and was often considered in China and Japan as the ‘mother of the human race and, in this respect, worshiped in the form of a woman.

Among the 108 forms of Lokiteshvara (Sahasrabhuja 1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara), Avalokeshvara is one who refuses to accept Nirvana since he considers such acceptance selfish in view of the ignorance of the great majority of the people who have not yet attained that stage. His sacrifice symbolizes infinite compassion (Karuna), sharing of mankind’s misery, and willingness to help those in distress. Avalokeshvara holds in his hand the indestructible jewel. He is the savior and protector of danger. So, his invocation (Mantra) “OM MANI PADME HUM” is found inscribed on rocks, loose stones, prayer wheels, etc.

Sahasrabhuja 1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara is known from very early in the development of the Mahayana doctrines and, until Buddhism disappeared from India, enjoyed great favor there. His cult passed from India to South-East Asia and Java, where it met with great success, and also in Nepal, and Tibet (where he arrived with Buddhism and where King Srong – Tsong Gampo, 519-650, was considered to be his incarnation), and in China, from where he went on to Korea and Japan. All these countries imagined him in different forms according to their own temperaments and spirituality.

GESTURES AND ATTRIBUTES

It is said that Chenrezig (Sahasrabhuja 1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara) once grew exhausted and discouraged from the overwhelming task of rescuing sentient beings. While struggling to comprehend the needs of so many, his head and body exploded into a thousand pieces. Buddha Amitabha came to Chenrezig’s aid and helped prepare the Bodhisattva for his monumental task. Amitabha endowed Chenrezig with eleven heads, with which to hear the cries of the suffering, and also with a thousand arms, with which to aid the suffering multitudes.

Chenrezig’s (Sahasrabhuja 1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara) eleven faces are arranged in three tiers, topped by the wrathful face of Vajrapani, and, at the very top, the face of Buddha Amitabha. The skin of a deer is draped over Chenrezig’s left shoulder and heart, symbolizing his compassionate nature. His first two principal hands are pressed together at his heart in deference to his teacher, Amitabha; and his other principal hands hold a crystal rosary, a lotus blossom, an undrawn bow and arrow, an eight-spoked Dharma wheel, and a golden water pot. Each of Chenrezig’s one thousand hands has an eye in the center of its palm, symbolizing the union of the five method perfections (five fingers) with the sixth perfection of wisdom (eye).

Size: 16 x 20 Inch ( 41 x 51 cm)
Surface Material: Handmade Cotton Canvas
Painting Color: Gold dust and stone powder

Important Information:
- Each Thangka is individually hand-painted, making every piece one-of-a-kind.
- Colors may appear slightly different in person due to lighting or screen settings.
- The accurate detail and beauty of this artwork are even more vibrant when seen firsthand.
- Listed dimensions apply to the painting only and do not include the outer border.
- All orders are securely packed in a durable PVC tube to ensure safe delivery.
- Buyers are responsible for any import taxes or customs duties that may be charged in their country.