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| Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in the form of Amoghapasha Lokeshvara |
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| Nepal; Late Malla period (1383-1769), 16th - 17th century |
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| Gilt copper alloy |
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| H. 11 in. (27.9 cm) |
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| Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art |
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| 1979.050 |
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| This elegant statue of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is in the form of "All-seeing Lord of the Infallible Noose" (Amoghapasha Lokeshvara), identified by the rope held in his bottom hand. Once ensnared in this sacred noose, the devotee must tell the truth about and to himself, an act which can sever the bonds of illusion and help a practitioner achieve enlightenment. Amoghapasha Lokeshvara is one of the guardian deities of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal and is also worshipped for day-to-day well-being. A special rite, performed on the eighth day of the moon's brighter two weeks of each month was dedicated to him, and it is possible that this sculpture was the focus of such a ritual. |
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