Avalokiteshvara Cittavisramana
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Orientation 3
Display 6

ABS 334

 Code: ABS 334

  Country: Nepal

  Style:

  Date: 1300 - 1400

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 7 x 12 x 3

  Materials: Wood

Avalokitesvara Cittavisramana 

This precious patinated wood sculpture is depicting a rare representation of the bodhisattva Avalokisteshvarain Siddha form, as an ascetic. In this particular manifestation he is called Cittavishramana. He is seated in the yogic posture of the semi-lotus, and forms the gesture of fearlessness (abhaya-mudra) with the left hand. In addition to the crown with five leaves, a wolf skin encircles him from the left shoulder to his right hip.
Avalokiteshvara is a bodhisattva that embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. He is one of the most revered bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism. 

Bodhisattvas have generated bodhicitta (mind of enlightenment), and vowed to help all sentient beings until each and every one is free from suffering. Bodhisattvas can live incarnated in this world or dwell in a subtle body in the realm of sambogakaya, where they can be reached through meditation. Bodhisattvas are also named “the Buddhas lions”. Bodhisattvas put into practise the six basic paramitas(virtues): charity, morality, patience, effort, concentration and wisdom (dana, sila, ksanti, verya, dhyana and prajna) and the four paramitas which derive from the basic ones: skillful means, vows, power and knowledge (upaya, pranidhana, bala and jnana). Among the many, there are eight great or divine bodhisattvas. In the Nispanna Yogavali of Mahapandita Abhayakara Gupta three sets of sixteen bodhisattvas are mentioned.