This thangka, painted by Pema Wangyal, depicts Four-armed Avalokiteshvara as the central figure in a nine-deity assembly, which collectively represent the three trinities of virtue, longevity, and accomplishment.
The trinity of virtue represents the Buddha's enlightened qualities of wisdom, compassion and power that are embodied in the forms of the three great bodhisattvas, Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani, who are collectively known as the 'Lords of the Three Families'. Manjushri is the 'Lord of the Tathagata or Buddha Family', which emphasizes the transformation of ignorance into wisdom or discriminating awareness. Avalokiteshvara is the 'Lord of the Padma or Lotus Family', which emphasizes the transmutation of desire into compassion. And Vajrapani is the 'Lord of the Vajra Family', which emphasizes the transformation of anger or aversion into spiritual power or energy.
Four-armed Avalokiteshvara, who is more commonly known by his Tibetan name Chenrezig, dominates the center of this composition, as he sits in vajra-posture upon a white moon disc and a multicolored lotus that arises from a lake. He is white in color, and adorned with the thirteen silk and jewel ornaments of a bodhisattva. With his first pair of hands palms-folded in front of his heart he holds a wish-granting gem. And with his second pair of right and left hands he holds aloft a crystal rosary, and the stem of an immaculate lotus that blossoms at the level of his ear.
© text by Robert Beer
Quality
PEM Custom Prints offers exclusive custom reproductions of artworks in the collections of the Peabody Essex Museum. Hand-made in the USA using gallery-quality materials, we create prints as true to the original work as possible, using strict color management protocols and state-of-the-art printing technology.Selection
Many of the works offered through this store are exclusive and not available anywhere else. We are continually adding new artworks to our offering, so be sure to check back regularly as you build your own gallery. A variety of molding styles means our custom framed prints can match any type of decor.