Category:Ritual Instruments

Avalokiteśvara (spyan ras gzigs)

• Avalokiteśvara is the embodiment of the compassionate aspect of the mind of all the Buddhas manifesting in the form of a deity. He is revered as the patron deity of Tibet and has many different aspects, the most popular of which are the seated four-armed white form, the 'thousand-armed' form Mahākaruṇika, Padmapāṇi and Kharsapāṇi. For a general description, see Paul Williams, Mahāyāna Buddhism, pp. 231-236, and for the significance of his mantra, see under six-syllable mantra. GD (from the Glossary to Tibetan Elemental Divination Paintings)

• See also: Avalokiteshvara