Seated Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin)

This fragment of a mural painting depicts one of the many manifestations of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (in Chinese, Guanyin). The deity is shown seated in the cross-legged lotus position for the purpose of meditation. He is also backed by a circular halo indicating his divine status. The principal identifying attribute of this popular bodhisattva of mercy and compassion is the small image of the Amitābha Buddha (the Buddha of Infinite Light) set into the front of the elaborate crown.

In addition to the well-known 33 manifestations of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, the deity may also be represented in another six forms that correspond to his manifestations to protect the six realms of reincarnation within the Esoteric or Tantric branch of Buddhism: the Divine Guanyin for beings in hell; the Thousand-armed Guanyin for hungry ghosts; the Horse-headed Guanyin for animals; the Eleven-headed Guanyin for bellicose demons; the Pure Guanyin for humans; and the Wish-fulfilling Wheel Guanyin for heavenly beings.

The image most likely represents the Bodhisattva Aryavalokiteśvara (in Chinese, Sheng Guanyin, meaning the “Divine Guanyin”), which is the root form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. If this is indeed the case, then the proper right hand (whose painted traces have been lost) would have held a lotus flower as its main attribute.