Chonglongshan Rock Carvings Niche 113: Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara

CHINA, Sichuan, Neijiang; Tang dynasty

Located on Gubeiyan (Ancient North Cliff), Niche 113 measures 3.9 m wide, 4.2 m high, and 1.85 m deep. The carvings within the niche were created in the Mid-Tang period (756–846). The main statue represents a Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva seated with legs pendent and wearing a tall crown. Six arms are held in front of the body, the upper two of which are damaged. The hands at the abdomen form the dhyana (meditation) mudra, while the hands on the knees hold prayer beads. The arms behind the body are sculpted in three layers within a mandorla, each hand holding a different Dharma instrument such as sun, moon, Buddha image, stupa, bow, axe, mirror, lance, bowl, or prayer beads. Flanking the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and the throne, there are various figures including Suryaprabha, Candraprabha, Wind Deity, Thunder Deity, Rain Deity, Lightning Deity, Buddhas of the Ten Directions, the Eight Classes of Dharma Protectors, Mahesvara, Narayana, Vasu, Mahadevi, and the Four Heavenly Kings.