Eleven-Headed Guanyin

十一面觀音菩薩

1100–1200
Overall: 218.5 cm (86 in.)
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This Guanyin is carved from a single block of willow (genus Salix sp.).

Description

The bodhisattva is an enlightened being dedicated to the spiritual awakening of all beings. The compassionate bodhisattva Guanyin, in a variety of manifestations, is probably the most popular deity of worship in Chinese Buddhism. In the Esoteric Buddhist form shown here, this standing Guanyin has a total of eleven heads, with smaller ones above the principal head. The uppermost head represents the Buddha Amitabha, to whom he is closely related. The eleven heads symbolize the Buddha’s steps on the path to enlightenment.
Eleven-Headed Guanyin

Eleven-Headed Guanyin

1100–1200

China, late Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) - Jin dynasty (1115-1234)

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Eleven-Headed Guanyin - Chinese language version

Eleven-Headed Guanyin

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