TYPE: Bodhisattva or buddha-designate.
ORIGIN: Buddhist (India)
KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP: Circa 500 BCE to present.
SYNONYMS: Nineteen other forms Listed.
CENTER(S) OF CULT: Pan-Asiatic
ART REFERENCES: Metal and stone sculptures, paintings.
LITERARY SOURCES: Sadhanamala and Tantric ritual texts.
EQUIVALENTS:
INFORMATION: One of the most important deities of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. In Lamaism he is the tutelary god of Tibet. He equates with Visnu in Hinduism and bears links with Padmapani. In cosmic mythology he is a creator deity. His Sakti is Pandara and his attendant animal is a lion. Many forms of Avalokitesvara exist, which may include varieties with up to eleven heads, some times arranged in a pyramid.
COLOR: White or Red
ATTRIBUTES: Blue lotus, image of Amitabha (top most pyramid head), lotus, rosary sword and water jar.