Avalokiteshvara Padmapani – The "Lotus Bearer"
See it in the Museum
India and Nepal
Orientation 3
Display 4
ABS 089
Code: ABS 089
Country: India (north-east)
Style: Late Pala Style
Date: 1100 - 1200
Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 7.3 x 12 x 4.5
Materials: Brass
Avalokiteshvara Padmapani - the “Lotus Bearer” seated in the attitude of ease (lalitasana)
In modern terminology, Bodhisattva images with a lotus (padma) attribute, and with or without an effigy of Amitabha in the crown or the hair, are identified as Avalokiteshvara Padmapani. The name Padmapani does not occur in traditional Indian Sanskrit literature such as Sadhanamala (SM) or Nispannayogavali (NSP). This deity is named in these texts variously Lokeshvara (SM 280; NSP 26), Lokesha (SM 83), Avalokiteshvara (NSP 2), or Lokanatha (SM 8, 18, 19, 41).
In modern terminology, Bodhisattva images with a lotus (padma) attribute, and with or without an effigy of Amitabha in the crown or the hair, are identified as Avalokiteshvara Padmapani. The name Padmapani does not occur in traditional Indian Sanskrit literature such as Sadhanamala (SM) or Nispannayogavali (NSP). This deity is named in these texts variously Lokeshvara (SM 280; NSP 26), Lokesha (SM 83), Avalokiteshvara (NSP 2), or Lokanatha (SM 8, 18, 19, 41).