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Known to Tibetans as Chenrezig,
Avalokiteshvara takes on a female
form as Kuan Yin in China, and
Kannon in Japan. Avalokiteshvara
is most commonly depicted as
having four arms: two are crossed
over his heart, a third holds a lotus
flower, and a fourth holds a rosary.
The crossed arms symbolize the
boddhisattva’s compassionate
outpouring from his heart to earthly
beings. The lotus flower represents
enlightenment and pure wisdom,
while the rosary symbolizes
his desire to liberate earthly
beings from their endless cyclical
existence. The 14th Dalai Lama
(p.159) is traditionally thought
of as an incarnation of this
Bodhisattva of Compassion.
Not all Mahayana images are
elaborate in appearance. Each of
the dhyana or “meditation” buddhas
such as Buddha Amitabha, for
example, are depicted sitting cross-
legged, wearing a very plain robe,
their eyes closed in meditation.
However elaborate or not these
images may be, and however far
removed they may appear to be
from the straightforward teaching
of the historical Buddha, they are
all taken to represent aspects of
enlightenment. They are not gods
to be worshipped, although it may
be hard to remember this when
observing Buddhists paying tribute
to them in temples and shrines.Focuses for meditation
Images of bodhisattvas and buddhas
are regarded as aids to spiritual
progress. In meditation, a person
may become adept at visualizing
his or her chosen image, being
able to construct it imaginatively
at will. So, the practitioner of
meditation has an ongoing
relationship with a particular
image. It is often selected for
that purpose, on the advice of
a teacher, in order to address a
particular quality—represented
by the image of a bodhisattva
or buddha—that the individual
needs or wants to develop. The
benefit of such a practice is
generally only apparent over a
period of time; it is not seen as
an automatic process, but oneBUDDHAS AND BODHISATTVAS
Buddhists may offer incense or
flowers before a buddha image as an
act of devotion. This is not worship of
a god but respect for an enlightened
human being, imaginatively expressed.
that requires sustained personal
attention to the qualities and ideals
that the image represents.The impermanent mandala
The mandala is another Buddhist
image created for the purpose of
spiritual development, whether
used for meditation or instruction.
A mandala is a geometric pattern
in which various shapes, letters,
and images of buddhas and
bodhisattvas are intricately
interwoven in a complex image.
The patterns are carefully
created out of colored sand,
displayed at festivals, and then
destroyed. Their destruction is
important because it reinforces the
idea that everything is temporary.
To attempt to retain the images
would encourage clinging and
craving, which are counter to
Buddhist teachings since they lead
to frustration and suffering. It is
only through letting go—embracing
detachment—that the journey to
enlightenment can begin.Emptiness and buddhas
The Buddhist philosopher
Nagarjuna (see facing page)
argued that everything is emptyMay I be an unending
treasury for those desperate
and forlorn. May I manifest
as what they require and
wish to have near them.
Shantideva