Our Nepali master artisan created our beautiful 66″ masterpiece 1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara statue — a monumental 5.5 foot temple-grade sculpture — with the intricately hand carved jewels and crown of a Bodhisattva. At the request of the buyer, we would be happy to adorn the crown and jewels of the statue with semi-precious stones such as turquoise, lapis or red coral stones. At no extra charge, the skilled artisan can embellish the statue with these special decorations before delivery.
The color turquoise is a special combination of blue and green. Indeed, blue signifies the purity of the Buddhas and green symbolizes their readiness to act. Additionally, devotees meditating on the color red can transform the delusion of attachment into the wisdom of discernment. The color red is often worn by other deities to pay tribute to Amitabha Buddha. This Avalokiteshvara statue will wear the adornments very well and they will inspire all those who lay their eyes on your new statue.
The standing figure rises before a monumental repoussé aureole: an inner teardrop panel frames the eleven heads against a deep red back ground, bordered by beaded strands, while the great outer wings are hammered with concentric ranks of fine ornament amid swirling cloud and foliage scrollwork, studded with raised bosses along the rim. Below, the lotus pedestal stands on a tiered plinth with pierced, carved panels. Every face is hand painted in gold.
The Story of Avalokiteshvara
Avalokiteshvara has been an integral figure in Mahayana Buddhism since its inception. As a result, a large 1000 armed Avalokiteshvara statue can be found in monasteries and homes throughout Asia and worldwide. Avalokiteshvara was introduced to sentient life as the “Bodhisattva of Compassion” because of his unwavering commitment to ease the suffering of all beings. To proclaim his unwavering commitment, Avalokiteshvara vowed to forgo accepting the fruits of Nirvana until the suffering of all sentient beings has ceased. To receive assistance, devotees only need to recite the Avalokiteshvara mantra — Om Mani Padme Hum.
The 1000 armed Avalokiteshvara story is an important source of inspiration. Some time after taking his most compassionate vow, he realized the enormity of the task and came under unbearable pressure. As a result, Avalokiteshvara exploded into thousands of pieces.
Fortunately, Amitabha Buddha appeared to put him back together again. Additionally, Amitabha chose to make a few modifications in order to enable Avalokiteshvara to work faster. As such, Amitabha Buddha gave him 1000 arms and 11 heads. To better understand the meaning behind the eleven heads and thousand arms, see our guide to Avalokiteshvara meaning and symbolism.
Features of Masterpiece 1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara Statue
This masterpiece 1000 armed Avalokiteshvara statue is the most dramatic form of Avalokiteshvara, a special embodiment that Amitabha derived for him. His two principal hands are pressed together in reverence to his teacher Amitabha Buddha; five more principal hands hold his sacred implements, and the final principal hand extends in the Varada “gift giving” mudra. All of the hands feature an eye in the palm, symbolizing wisdom and the five method perfections. Above the crowned tiers of serene, gold painted faces — each marked with a blue urna and framed by floral earrings — blazes the wrathful head of Vajrapani, crowned with skulls, his flame-red brows and beard surrounding bared fangs beneath a fierce third eye. Crowning the summit is Amitabha Buddha himself, depicted with the dark curled hair of a fully enlightened Buddha. Like all of our sculptures, this temple centerpiece is ready for filling, blessing, and consecration in your own tradition.
Authentic, Handmade in Nepal
Every statue and ritual item is handcrafted in Patan, Nepal, using traditional lost wax casting and comes with a certificate of authenticity issued by Nepal's Department of Archaeology, verifying its materials, technique, and origin.
