Aryavalokiteshvara
Surendra Man Shakya, 2004
Stone colour
44 × 58 cm

© Prithivi Bahadur Pande

Padmapani Lokeshvara or Lotus holder is the Bodhisattva who embodies unceasing compassion. Images of the Bodhisattva have been made in Nepal since before the eleventh century, the mediums being mostly stone, wood and gilded metal. In this gilded statue, the artist has skillfully captured the nature of compassion of the deity, which is expressed by the downward gaze of the eyes, the subtle smile, and the fluidity of the body posture. As the canon of Buddhist iconography prescribes, the deity stands on a lotus pedestal, holding in his left hand the stalk of a fully bloomed lotus placed just above his left shoulder, while his right hand is in the position of the varada mudra, the gesture of benediction. As a Bodhisattva, he is clad in rich attire, and wears a crown on the head and jewels on the neck, arms, wrist, waist, and feet. In this image, we see the jewelry in fine detail with precious and semiprecious stone inlays. Varying shapes and sizes of lapis lazuli and red coral are arranged to highlight the adornments of the deity and to provide a border to his lower garment. The stone inlays also form the decoration of the lotus pedestal, the lotus in his hand, and the halo around his head. Highly skillful artisans who transfer their skills to the next generation by teaching them from a very young age carry out the practice of such arts.