This 9.75-inch Chenrezig Bodhisattva Statue portrays Chaturbhuja Avalokiteshvara, the beloved four-armed form of the Tibetan Bodhisattva of Compassion. Handmade in Patan, Nepal, the sculpture is cast from copper alloy using the traditional lost-wax method and fire gilded in 24K gold. The face is separately hand painted with 18K gold and natural pigments, creating a serene expression framed by dark-painted hair. Graceful proportions, richly modeled jewelry, flowing celestial ribbons and a substantial double lotus throne give this compact statue an unusually refined presence.
Chenrezig is the Tibetan manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, whose name is commonly understood as the compassionate one who looks upon the suffering of sentient beings. His four arms communicate the expansive nature of this compassionate activity. The two principal hands meet before his heart while holding the sacred Cintamani, or wish-fulfilling jewel, symbolizing the awakened mind and the aspiration to liberate beings from suffering. Learn more about the development of Chenrezig in Tibetan Buddhism.
Four‒Armed Chenrezig Statue Iconography
Chenrezig’s upper right hand holds a mala, representing continuous mantra recitation for the benefit of sentient beings. The beads are closely associated with Om Mani Padme Hum, the six-syllable mantra at the heart of Chenrezig practice. His upper left hand supports the stem of a fully blossomed lotus beside his shoulder. The lotus represents purity arising unstained from samsara and recalls Avalokiteshvara’s ancient Sanskrit epithet Padmapani, the “Lotus Bearer.” Explore the meaning of Om Mani Padme Hum and its relationship with Chenrezig practice.
The sculpture has an especially distinctive head arrangement. Rather than an elaborate five-leaf Bodhisattva crown, Chenrezig’s dark hair rises into a tall ornamented ushnisha. Above it appears a small image of Amitabha Buddha, traditionally associated with Avalokiteshvara and identifying his spiritual lineage. Large ornamental earrings frame the peaceful face, while necklaces, bracelets, armlets and waist ornaments enrich the figure. Upon request, selected jewelry may be embellished with genuine turquoise and red coral before shipment, providing traditional color accents against the warm gold finish.
Fire-Gilded Chenrezig Bodhisattva Statue
The artisan has balanced broad gilded surfaces with carefully controlled decorative detail. Ornamental patterns appear along the upper-arm bands and garment borders, while the flowing fabric crossing the legs is accented with engraved scrollwork. Long celestial ribbons sweep outward around the seated figure and continue behind the shoulders, where their darker reddish-brown finish provides contrast with the 24K gold. From the rear, the sculpture reveals a smoothly modeled back, diagonal shoulder garment, continuing jewelry and the three-dimensional construction of the lotus, mala and ribbons.
Chenrezig sits in the full vajra meditation posture upon an elaborate double lotus throne. A smaller upper course of raised lotus petals rests beneath the beaded seating platform, while a second row of elongated downward-facing petals expands the pedestal below. The architectural base is finished with beaded mouldings and a continuous band of finely engraved scrolling ornament. These details continue around the sculpture, making the statue attractive from multiple viewing angles.
Chenrezig and Green Tara Pairing
This sculpture makes an especially meaningful companion to our matching Gold Gilded Green Tara Statue. Their sizes are closely coordinated—the Chenrezig measures 9.75 inches and Green Tara 9.25 inches—and both combine copper-alloy construction, 24K fire gilding, dark-painted hair, Bodhisattva jewelry and substantial double lotus thrones. Their similar finishes create visual harmony when displayed together upon an altar or shrine.
Their spiritual symbolism is equally complementary. Chenrezig personifies limitless compassion directed toward all sentient beings, while Green Tara expresses compassion as immediate enlightened activity, traditionally responding swiftly to fear, danger and obstacles. Tibetan tradition also closely associates Tara with Avalokiteshvara, making the two figures a particularly appropriate devotional pairing: Chenrezig embodies the inexhaustible source of compassion, while Tara demonstrates compassion actively entering the world to relieve suffering.
Consecrating Your Chenrezig Bodhisattva Statue
For Buddhist practitioners, the statue may be prepared for traditional filling, blessing and consecration according to the practitioner’s lineage. Sacred texts, mantras, relics and other appropriate substances may be placed within a Buddhist statue before it is ritually sealed and blessed by a qualified lama or teacher. Our guide explains the traditional process of Buddha statue filling, blessing and consecration for collectors and practitioners who wish to prepare their sculpture for devotional use.
Custom Made Tibetan Buddhist Statues
We also accept commissions for custom Tibetan Buddhist statues handcrafted by skilled artisans in Patan, Nepal. A custom Chenrezig may be commissioned in a preferred size, gilded or antiquated finish and degree of ornamentation while preserving traditional iconographic proportions and attributes. Genuine turquoise and red coral may be incorporated into selected jewelry, and coordinated companion statues can be commissioned with compatible proportions, pedestal designs and finishes. A matching Chenrezig and Green Tara commission is particularly suitable for collectors, Dharma centers and shrine rooms seeking a visually unified pair representing universal compassion and swift compassionate activity.
Authentic, Handmade in Nepal
Every statue 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.
