THE LUMINOUS LORD OF INFINITE COMPASSION, NEPAL, C. 13TH CENTURY. GILT COPPER, LAPIS LAZULI, GEMS, GLASS, HT 91.4 CM. COLLECTION ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, PURCHASED 2010 WITH FUNDS FROM THE AGNSW FOUNDATION, THE ART GALLERY SOCIETY OF NSW COLLECTION CIRCLE, THE ASIAN BENEFACTORS’ FUND AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS – TAASA Review December 2011
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This article was originally found in the December 2011 edition of TAASA Review (Volume 20, Issue 4, Page 54).
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The figure once held a lotus in his left hand, while his right hand with a diamond incised on the palm faces the viewer in the wish-granting gesture (varada mudra).
Avalokitesvara is regarded as an emanation of the Buddha Amitabha who reigns over the Western Paradise of Sukhavati, the Land of Bliss, and a small image of whom appears on the top of his tall chignon which is styled in the distinctive dreadlocks of an ascetic.
His broad, kind face with soft features and wide-spaced eyes emanates compassionate understanding, sympathy, and an all-embracing spirituality...