1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara Sculpture | 17-inch 24K Gold Chenrezig

Our magnificent 17-inch 1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara Sculpture depicts Chenrezig Chagstong Chentong, the eleven-headed and thousand-armed manifestation of the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion. Handmade in Patan, Nepal, this complex sculpture is cast in copper alloy using the traditional lost-wax method and fire gilded in 24K gold. The central figure stands 14 inches high without the frame and 17 inches with its elaborate removable aureole installed. Individually hand-painted faces, finely engraved garments, an ornamental lotus pedestal and the immense field of radiating hands make this an exceptional representation of Sahasrabhuja Lokesvara, “The Thousand-Armed Lord of the World.”

1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara Sculpture – Infinite Compassion in Action

The thousand-armed manifestation gives physical form to Avalokiteshvara’s limitless compassion. According to Buddhist tradition, Chenrezig vowed to work for the liberation of all sentient beings. When the immensity of suffering overwhelmed him, his form shattered and Amitabha Buddha restored him with eleven heads and one thousand arms, greatly expanding his ability to perceive suffering and respond to it. The many heads symbolize awareness extending in every direction, while the multitude of hands expresses compassionate activity reaching toward innumerable beings simultaneously. Learn more about the meaning and story of Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara.

1000 Armed, Eleven Headed Avalokiteshvara with Vajrapani and Amitabha Buddha

One of the sculpture’s most striking features is the vertical arrangement of eleven heads. Serene faces rise in successive crowned tiers above Chenrezig’s principal head. Near the summit the peaceful expressions give way to the unmistakable wrathful head of Vajrapani, representing the forceful power of enlightened activity. Above Vajrapani sits peaceful Amitabha Buddha, spiritual head of the Lotus Family and the Buddha with whom Avalokiteshvara is closely associated. This progression visually unites compassion with the power required to defend and accomplish compassionate activity.

Radiating Arms and Handcrafted Removable Aureole

Avalokiteshvara’s principal hands meet before his heart in Anjali Mudra, while additional prominent hands display ritual gestures and attributes. Behind them, ranks of smaller hands radiate symmetrically outward like an immense halo of compassionate activity. The removable aureole extends this visual movement through concentric fields of detailed patterns surrounded by large raised scrolling forms and sculpted ornamentation. A deep red ground and narrow red border provide a dramatic contrast against the extensive 24K gold gilding. The figure stands upon a lotus pedestal elevated over an architectural stepped throne decorated with relief details and a central hanging cloth motif.

Compassion, Wisdom and Power – The Rigsum Gonpo Triad

This 1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara Sculpture is especially meaningful as the Compassion aspect of Rigsum Gonpo, the Lords of the Three Families. This important Vajrayana grouping brings together Avalokiteshvara as Compassion, Manjushri as Wisdom, and Vajrapani as Enlightened Power. Compassion supplies the motivation to liberate beings, wisdom recognizes the true nature of suffering and reality, and power provides the fearless energy necessary to overcome obstacles. The presence of Vajrapani’s wrathful head within this eleven-headed Avalokiteshvara makes the relationship between compassion and enlightened power particularly vivid.

Creating a Compassion, Wisdom and Power Altar

Collectors and practitioners can develop this relationship into a complete devotional grouping by pairing Chenrezig with our Manjushri sculpture representing transcendent wisdom and our Chana Dorje sculpture representing enlightened power. Together the three Bodhisattvas create a complementary altar ensemble centered upon the qualities of Compassion, Wisdom and Power rather than presenting any one quality in isolation.

Filling, Blessing and Consecration

A removable consecration door located on the bottom of the statue provides access to the hollow interior. Traditionally, Buddhist statues may be filled with sacred mantras, dharani, incense and blessed substances before being sealed and ritually consecrated for devotional practice. Learn more about our statue filling, blessing and consecration service.

Custom Made 1000 Armed Avalokiteshvara Sculptures

For temples, Dharma centers, collectors or practitioners requiring different dimensions or specifications, we can arrange a custom Tibetan Buddhist statue handmade by skilled artisans in Patan, Nepal. Custom Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara sculptures may be commissioned in copper alloy with selected dimensions, gilding, engraving and artistic details. Coordinated Manjushri and Vajrapani statues can also be commissioned to create a harmoniously proportioned Rigsum Gonpo set devoted to Compassion, Wisdom and Enlightened Power.