Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva 水月观音
Material: Clay
Origin: China
Height: 54 cm
Code: MS-013
Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva 观世音菩萨
Material: Ceramic
Origin: China
Height: 35 cm
Code: MS-006
"Avalokita" is a sanskrit word that broadly means "looking on", while "Ishivara" means "Lord". Avalokitesvara can therefore be broadly translated to mean the "Lord who looks in every direction". Quite similar to this meaning is the Chinese name for Avalokitesvara, "Guan Yin" 观音 or "Guan Shi Yin" 观世音 literally means looking out and hearing the cries of samsaric beings. Truly, the hallmark of Avalokitesvara is great compassion or mahakaruna.
Contrary to convention that all bodhisattvas are represented in male forms, Avalokitesvara takes both masculine and feminine forms in different parts of the world and at different eras. In China, during the Song Dynasty, Guan Yin was depicted as a male form, but subsequently evolved into a female form that brings out the compassionate aspect of a bodhisattva. This gender-neutral representation probably marks his freedom to assume any form to respond to the differing needs of his followers.
This statue is a masculine form of Guan Yin. He adorns necklaces, bracelets, anklets and has his robe gracefully hanging over his body. Above his hair knob is Buddha Amitabha, the beholder of the lotus family of Buddhas. Seated with a posture depicting deep contemplation, his left arm rests on a stone seat and right arm rests on his half-bent right knee. His left knee is is half-bent depicting a posture that is ready to stand up (act) in an instant. His left foot rests lightly on a lotus.