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Standing Avalokitesvara
Indonesia, Java, ca. 10th century A.D.
Bronze. Height: 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm)
George and Mary Rockwell Collection. 88.2.165
The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is seen here standing with his arms raised
in the vitarksa mudra, or argument gesture. This emphasizes the Bodhisattva's
role as a disciple of the Buddha and a teacher of the Buddha's doctrine.
The Bodhisattva is essentially a 'Buddha' or sentient being who has chosen
to forego the final step to Buddhahood or nirvana in order to remain on
earth to teach the principles of Buddhism. There are many Bodhisattvas,
but four in particular, Avalokitesvara among them, stand out and are commonly
portrayed in sculpture as symbols of every person's ability to attain spiritual
salvation. Avalokitesvara is also known as the Lord of Compassion, and is
commonly represented in the islands of Southeast Asia, especially during
the Srivijaya period (eighth to ninth centuries), as a prince adorned with
lavish jewelry and crowned with an elaborate headdress.
The Museum's example is framed with a band of ornaments consisting of open
flames on the sides and the top of the figure, and at the bottom left and
right by two stylized makara or dragon heads. These decorations can
be found on other representations of the standing Avalokitesvara, and are
residues of Hindu motifs and typical of Javanese sculpture in particular.
Small portable bronze images of this type have been found throughout Java
and were used as votive images or icons. They were not meant to be housed
in shrines; rather, they enabled individual patrons and worshipers to gain
access to spiritual merit.
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