Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara

Object Details

• Label

  Avalokiteshvara is the bodhisattva of compassion. His multiple arms serve to help all living beings equally with infinite generosity. At the center of his chest is the goddess Prajnaparamita, the embodiment of wisdom. Together in a single image, wisdom (the female element) and compassion (the male element) give rise to the thousands of miniature Buddhas that cover Avalokiteshvara's chest.

  This sculpture dates to the era of the Khmer king Jayavarman VII (r.1181 -- 1218), who is famous for sponsoring the production of multiple temple-estates dedicated to the Buddha throughout his domain. In 1191, the king distributed this sculpture and twenty-three similar figures of Avalokiteshvara across his kingdom. He used such Buddhist imagery to reinforce his political power by associating his father with Avalokiteshvara and his mother with Prajnaparamita, in order to suggest that he himself was a buddha.

• Provenance

  From at least 1972-1987

  Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987), method of acquisition unknown [1]

  From 1987

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Dr. Arthur M. Sackler [2]

  Notes:

  [1] See Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Gift Inventory, number L72.11.14, copy in object file.

  [2] Pursuant to the agreement between Dr. Arthur M. Sackler and the Smithsonian Institution, dated July 28, 1982, legal title of the donated objects was transferred to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery on September 11, 1987.

  Research updated October 18, 2022

• Collection

  Arthur M. Sackler Collection

• Exhibition History

  Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice Across Asia (October 14, 2017 to February 6, 2022)

  Sculpture of South Asia and the Himalayas (May 4, 1988 to July 9, 2017)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Dr. Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987)

• Origin

  Cambodia

• Credit Line

  Gift of Arthur M. Sackler

• Type

  Sculpture

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

  The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1200s

• Name

  Sackler, Arthur M.

• Place

  Cambodia

• Topic

  Art, Southeast Asian Art, Avalokite?svara (Buddhist deity), Stone, Bodhisattva, Angkor period (802 - 1431)

• Culture

  Buddhists, Southeast Asians

• Object Type

  Sculpture