This detail of a painting by Ajay Lama shows the face of Sadaksari Avalokiteshvara, the four-armed bodhisattva of great compassion. His two principal hands are palms-folded in anjali-mudra before his heart as he clasp a turquoise wish-fulfilling jewel, whilst his other two unseen left and right hands hold a rosary and a lotus. The green skin of a magical deer or antelope is draped across his left shoulder and beneath his green upper shawl. He smiles sweetly as he gazes lovingly upon all beings with his two compassionate eyes. Half of his hair is piled up into topknots, whilst the other half hangs freely behind his back. The top of his head is adorned with a golden wish-granting gem, and two jewel-tipped hair ornaments adorn his topknots. He wears a jewelled golden crown that is tied with a billowing silk ribbon, and adorned with little hanging loops of pearls and small jewels.

The five main jewels of his crown symbolize the wisdom aspects of the Five Buddha Families. His upper body is adorned with golden earings, bracelets, armlets and necklaces. The golden lines that emanate within his dark blue aura represent the radiance of his wisdom and compassion, and the green colour of his halo indicates that his activities permeate space like the green element of air.

©Painting by Ajay Lama, Nepal.

Size 6 x 4 inches