4 ARMED AVALOKITESHVARA

The word Avalokiteshvara has been derived from the Sanskrit language. In Sanskrit, Ishwara means the lord, god, or the almighty and the loka means the world. Ava means to look down and the verb's past participle form is lokita. Thus, one can figure out that the combined meaning of Avalokiteshvara is the god who's looking down at the world. Of course, with compassionate eyes and attitude.

The images of Avalokiteshvara are always captivating due to the reflections of calmness, compassion, and generosity.

The iconography of 4 armed Avalokiteshvara

Avalokiteshvara is dressed in silken robes, to depict the Indian royal look. He wears various jeweled ornaments, such as bracelets, necklaces, anklets, etc. They symbolize his mastery of the perfections of generosity and morality. As a prince, he wears his black hair long, upper half knotted high on his head, and the rest flowing down to his shoulders. Just as a prince, this bodhisattva is the spiritual son and heir to the king-like buddhas. Upon his head is a five jeweled crown. It represents the five buddha families. He is seated within a transparent aura in a peaceful scene of hills and lakes.

He gazes upon the beings with heartfelt compassion. He wishes that they are separated from all kinds of mental and physical sufferings.

He is a highly cherished deity in Buddhism. Both Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions celebrate Chenrezig equally. A book called 'Buddhist Fasting Practice', where the writer elaborates on the deity and Nyungne fasting method, introduces him better.

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