Masterpiece Stories

Masterpiece Story: Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara

James W Singer 7 December 2023 min Read

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Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara was donated to the Musée Guimet in Paris, France, in 1889 by French archeologist Gustave Dumoutier. It represents the blissful blending of secular and spiritual elegance. It is an intricately carved Vietnamese statue filled with Buddhist symbolism, beautiful sophistication, and bold drama.

Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara: Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, ca. 1766-1833, Vietnam, Musée Guimet, Paris, France. — *Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara*, ca. 1766-1833, Vietnam, Musée Guimet, Paris, France.

Religious Context

Buddhism is one of the world’s largest religions, and it centers around the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha (563–483 BCE). Buddhists believe that human life is a cycle of suffering and rebirth, and the only way to escape this cycle is by reaching enlightenment known as nirvana. Nirvana is achieved through practiced meditation, good behavior, physical labor, and spiritual purification.

Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara: Rupert Gethin, Map of the Main Modern Buddhist Sects, 2014, Foundations of Buddhism, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. — Rupert Gethin, *Map of the Main Modern Buddhist Sects*, 2014, Foundations of Buddhism, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.

Mahayana Buddhism

In Mahayana Buddhism, one of the two major branches of Buddhism, spiritual purification can be achieved through spiritual guides, or bodhisattvas, who have achieved nirvana but remain to teach humans. One such guide is the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara who achieved enlightenment by giving compassionate help to other Buddhists. Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara is now regarded as one of the major bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism. He or she, depending on the geographical context, first became popular in the 9th century with the spread of Zen Buddhism.

Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara: Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, ca. 1766-1833, Vietnam, Musée Guimet, Paris, France. Detail. — *Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara*, ca. 1766-1833, Vietnam, Musée Guimet, Paris, France. Detail.

General Composition

Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara is a Vietnamese statue from the late 18th or early 19th century. It stands 1.51 m or 4 ft 11 in tall. The statue is composed of wood that is carved, lacquered, and gilt. The artwork’s most striking feature is its many arms which symbolize the bodhisattva’s ability to face all situations from all directions.

Female Bodhisattva

In Vietnam, where Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara was carved, Avalokiteśvara is largely considered female and a provider of children. Therefore, Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara depicts the Vietnamese feminine version of the bodhisattva like the neighboring Chinese Guanyin and Japanese Kannon. She embodies the Buddhist virtue of compassion and shows benevolence towards the faithful.

Crowned Faces

Avalokiteśvara has a central face with two side faces seen in the profile. This multi-faced composition represents that she sees all through her nirvana. She also wears a royal crown that is surmounted by five seated Buddhas. The crown represents her elevation and close association with the Buddha.

Pearls & Namaskara Mudra

Around the bodhisattva’s neck are pearl necklaces which are symbols of spiritual wealth, compassion, and wisdom. Therefore, they are appropriate adornments for Avalokiteśvara. In front of the necklaces is a pair of hands in a prayer-like gesture known as the Namaskara Mudra. It is a Buddhist gesture for adoration, focus, and welcome. It features very commonly on statues near building entrances.

Dhyana Mudra & Karana Mudra

Below the Namaskara Mudra is another pair of hands in a cupped gesture known as the Dhyana Mudra. It is a Buddhist gesture for balance, meditation, and healing. Many statues in the center of buildings, like temples, often portray this mudra because of its symbolism of being centered. To the left and right are raised arms in the Karana Mudra which is to expel and repel demons. A carved knot and flowing drapery on the bodhisattva’s waist complement the overall elegance of the figure.

Dharmachakra

Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara has 22 pairs of large arms. Three pairs are positioned in three mudras, and the remaining 19 pairs radiate into an almost fan-like circumference. Behind the array of large arms is a peacock tail-like spread of at least one hundred smaller arms. The assembled collection of arms resembles the Dharmachakra or the Buddhist Wheel of Dharma representing the Buddha’s First Sermon when he established the dharmas or laws of Buddhism.

Exposition Universelle de 1889

Interestingly, before being donated to the Musée Guimet in Paris, France, the statue was featured in a Buddhist pagoda at the Exposition Universelle de 1889 (Universal Exposition of 1889) hosted in Paris. The exposition’s most famous legacy is the Eiffel Tower which was constructed especially for the event. While Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara does not achieve the hordes of tourists like the Eiffel Tower, it is still a masterpiece deserving of admiration.

Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara: Pagoda of Angkor, Universal Exposition of 1889, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, USA. — *Pagoda of Angkor, Universal Exposition of 1889*, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, USA.

Bibliography

“A Work: Avalokiteśvara or Quan Am with a Thousand Hands.” Blog. Musée Guimet. Accessed December 15, 2021.

“Avalokiteśvara.” Glossary Terms. Musée Guimet. Accessed December 15, 2021.

“Buddhism.” Resource Library. National Geographic Society. Accessed December 15, 2021.

Rupert Gethin. Foundations of Buddhism. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2014.

“Pagoda of Angkor, Paris Exhibition, 1889.” Collection. Library of Congress. Accessed December 15, 2021.

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James W Singer

James W. Singer is an art historian and fine art photographer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Florida. He later moved to Paris, France. He currently writes “Masterpiece” articles for DailyArt Magazine.

ProofreaderBec Brownstone

Bec is an art nerd, bicycle enthusiast, cat mom, artist/crafter/maker from sunny Toronto, Canada.