One of the most recognizable mantras in the world is om mani padme hum. While many know it, not all realize that it is associated with the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who has countless forms, both peaceful and wrathful, red and white, with thousands of arms, or maybe just two. Depicted here is the red Avalokiteshvara. Around his radiant body, tethered to his gaze by fine lines of gold, are worldly deities, many originating in the Hindu tradition, such as Shiva, Brahma, Surya, Varuna, Ananta, Chandra, Vishnu, and Agni. This symbolizes his ability to see and manifest his compassion in all realms while all other deities pay homage to him. Painted in warm red hues, he stands against a lapis background with his head at a charming angle. He beckons viewers with his right hand, held in the gesture of generosity. Rakta Avalokiteshvara is a bodhisattva who has made a vow to remain in the cycle of rebirth through countless lifetimes to work for the benefit of other beings. Bodhisattvas display determination and self-sacrifice, vowing not to pass into the blissful state of Nirvana until all sentient beings are free and accumulating wisdom and merit in order to become buddhas. Practitioners develop this aspiration or “mind of awakening,” also known as bodhichitta, recite mantras, and visualize the deity, aspiring to make their body, speech, and mind indistinguishable from the bodhisattva’s. Red Avalokiteshvara’s appearance is laid out in ritual texts and painted in thangkas to help practitioners with visualization and training of their mind. At the center bottom of this painting Avalokiteshvara’s wrathful form as the Great Black One with six hands is shown in an aureole of fire. His compassionate nature is unchanged, in spite of the intimidating appearance. His destructive power is aimed at extinguishing the obstacles to spiritual realization.

Artwork Details

Title
Red Avalokiteshvara
Dimensions
48 1/2 × 28 1/2 × 1 1/2 in.
Medium
Pigments on cloth
Origin
Nepal or Tibet
Classification(s)
paintings scroll painting
Date
dated by inscription, 1871
Credit Line
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art
Object number
C2005.29.1
HAR Number
65564
Published references
* Buhnemann, Gudrun, and Kasinatha Tamota. The Life of the Buddha: Buddhist and Saiva iconography and Visual Narratives in Artists' Sketchbooks from Nepal. Bhairahawa: Lumbini International Research Institute, 2012, 80-101. pl. 6, pp. 92.

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Compassion

Concepts

The cultivation of a strong aspiration to help sentient beings overcome suffering. In Buddhist Mahayana teaching, compassion is the seed for attaining full enlightenment.  

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Devotion

Concepts

A virtuous feeling and deep respect toward an authentic teaching, teacher, or path. Buddhists believe that expansive study, analysis, and meditation are essential steps for cultivating a healthy and enduring devotion.

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Meditation

Concepts

A contemplative practice in which a person uses concentration and visualization to achieve aims such as transforming the mind and generating feelings of compassion. Techniques include focusing on breathing or visualizing oneself as a deity.

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Bodhisattvas

Figure Type

Beings who aspire to become fully awakened like the Buddha and are dedicated to helping others on the path to enlightenment.

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Tibetan Regions

Region

Today, Tibetans primarily inhabit the Tibetan Plateau, situated between the Himalayan mountain range and the Indian subcontinent to the west, Chinese cultural regions to the east, and Mongolian cultural regions to the northeast. During the 7th to 9th century, Tibetan rulers expanded their empire across Central Asia, and established Buddhism as the state religion.

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Nepalese Regions

Region

The Himalayan kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley were significant centers of Buddhist culture. Nepalese kings, Buddhist institutions, and ordinary people patronized the vibrant art guilds. The artistic traditions of the regions are well-known in Tibetan areas and beyond, and Newar artists have always been in high demand throughout Tibetan regions and Inner Asia.

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