Seated Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin) of Water-Moon Form

One of the most revered Buddhist deities, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (known as Guanyin in Chinese) is an enlightened being who remains in the material world to aid in the salvation of all mortals. Here he is portrayed as a princely figure wearing a tiered crown bedecked with jewels. In addition, he is richly clothed in light, diaphanous silks. The relaxed pose, known as “royal ease” (lalitasana in Sanskrit), is derived from pre-Buddhist Indian royalty. The bodhisattva leans on one arm, his knee raised to rest his long, extended arm with sensitively rendered hand and fingers. The figure, also known as the Compassionate and Merciful One, is still and composed, but there is a sense of flowing movement amid swirls of silk and soft scarves that appear to ruffle and sway.