Talakha Monastery: Four-Armed Avalokitesvara

BHUTAN, Thimphu

Avalokitesvara wears a five-leaf crown from which the front leaf has broken to reveal a seated Amitabha Buddha in front of elaborately piled hair. Ribbons descend from floral sidepieces and other jewelry adorns the upper body.
The Bodhisattva sits in full lotus position with the two front hands joining palms. The subsidiary hands are raised and originally held attributes. The end of a lotus stalk can be seen on the left palm. A stole enfolds the wrists and falls to the base. The hemmed blue skirt is painted with the same floral pattern as the stole. The double lotus throne consists of Bhutanese style lobed petals. An inscription on the back of the sculpture reads, “Praise to the great compassionate one.”