Domyoji Temple Main Hall: Eleven-Headed Avalokitesvara
Cypress wood
Domyoji Temple Main Hall: Eleven-Headed Avalokitesvara
JAPAN, Osaka, Fujiidera; Heian period
Sugawara no Michizane created the statue at the start of the 10th century, according to temple records. Sugawara was traveling into exile but stopped on his way to visit his aunt, Kakujuni. He left the statue behind. It was carved from a whole piece of polished wood with black stones inlaid into the eyes. The statue was listed as a National Treasure in 1952.
The Bodhisattva wears a crown with ten heads atop a large Buddha figure. Among these heads are angry manifestations. The main figure is depicted with a round face, three lines on the neck and a sturdy body. The left hand holds a vase with lotuses, mainly a bud, a mature bloom, and a seed-pod signifying the past, present and future. The Bodhisattva stands on a lotus pedestal. The rippling folds of the garment are skillfully carved.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F, page 298.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F},
pages = 298,
title = {{Domyoji Temple Main Hall: Eleven-Headed Avalokitesvara}},
volume = 10,
year = {2016}}