Explaining Buddhist Deity Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara

Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara is a meditational form of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Avalokiteshvara is a bodhisattva originally arose from the Sutrayana tradition of Buddhism, and later as a tutelary deity of the Tantric Vajrayana tradition.

Life of Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara

In this section, we are going to learn about the life of Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara,  after that, the short etymology of Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara itself.

Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara is the bodhisattva of compassion surrounded by fifteen Hindu gods emanated from his body.

Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara is known as  chen re zi mar po in Tibet. Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara is also known as the Red Lord of the World in English.

Iconography of Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara

In the iconography of Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara, we are going to learn about his body posture, hand and leg gesture, and different representations of Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara in thangka and statue.

Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara is peaceful in appearance. He is dark red in color. He has one face with the hair piled on the top of the head with long black tresses falling across the shoulders.

The right hand of Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara is extended downward in the mudra of supreme generosity with the palm facing outward. The left-hand of Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara holds the stem of a pink lotus flower blossoming over the shoulder. He is adorned with a crown of gold and a small image of the Buddha Amitabha, jewel ornaments, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets.

He wears a long green scarf and a deerskin across the left shoulder. The lower body of Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara is garbed in a blue and orange brocade skirt. He stands surrounded by a blue nimbus.

Depicting Buddhist Deity Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara Thangka

The thangka of the Buddhist deity Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara is from Tibet. It made between 1800 to 1899 AD. Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara is from the Gelug lineage. The size of the painting is 70.49×45.72cm. The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Currently, this thangka is in the Rubin museum of art.

Vajrasattva

Vajrasattva is at the top center of the thangka, Vajrasattva is with the buddha of 100 Families. Vajrasattva is white in color.

Shakyamuni Buddha

Shakyamuni Buddha is at the left of the thangka. The right hand of Shakyamuni Buddha is in the earth touching mudra. And the left hand of Shakyamuni buddha holds a black bowl.

Maitreya

Maitreya is to the left corner of the thangka. Maitreya is known as the future Buddha. The right hand of Maitreya is at the heart in the mudra of blessing. The left hand of Maitreya is in the lap holding a gold water flask.

Amitabha buddha

Amitabha Buddha is on the right side of the thangka. Amitabha Buddha is red in color. The hands of Amitabha buddha are in the mudra of meditation supporting a black begging bowl.

Manjushri Namasangiti

Manjushri Namasangiti is at the right corner of the thangka.  Manjushri Namasangiti is orange in color. Manjushri Namasangiti has one face and four hands holding a sword, book, bow, and arrow.

Red Hayagriva

Red Hayagriva is at the lower left of the thangka Red Hayagriva is wrathful in appearance. Red Hayagriva is holding a stick and lasso.

White Ganesha

White Ganesha is at the left corner of the thangka. White Ganesha is with an elephant head and six hands. White Ganesha is in a dancing posture with the right leg drawn up standing on a blue rat.

Shadbhuja Mahakala

Shadbhuja Mahakala is at the lower right of the thangka. Shadbhuja Mahakala is the wrathful protector. Shadbhuja Mahakala is black in color with one face and six hands.

Shadbhuja Mahakala is standing on a prone white elephant. Shadbhuja Mahakala is surrounded by orange flames.

Ushnishavijaya

Ushnishavijaya is at the right corner of the thangka. Ushnishavijaya is known as the long-life goddess. Ushnishavijaya is white in color. Ushnishavijaya has three faces and eight hands.

Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara with Vairochana Thangka

The thangka of the Buddhist deity Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara with Vairochana is from Tibet. It made between 1800 to 1899 AD. Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara with Vairochana is from Gelug lineage. The size of the painting is 60.96×42.55cm. Ground mineral pigment on cotton and fine gold is used to color this painting. Currently, this thangka is in the Rubin museum of art.

Vairochana is in the center of the thangka. Vairochana is with the hands in the teaching mudra.

Akshobhya

Akshobhya is at the left of the thangka.  In the right hand of Akshobhya, there is the mudra of earth witness.

White Manjushri

White Manjushri is on the right side of the thangka. White Manjushri has one face and two hands performing the mudra of supreme generosity. The right hand of White Manjushri is holding the stem of a lotus blossom with the right.

The left hand of White Manjushri is also holding the stem of a lotus flower to the heart. White Manjushri is supporting the Prajnaparamita book on the blossom.

Vajrapani

Vajrapani is on the right side of the thangka. Vajrapani is known as the wrathful form of the bodhisattva of power. Vajrapani is blue in color with two hands.

Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara with Vajradhara Buddha Thangka

The thangka of the Buddhist deity Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara with Vajradhara Buddha is from Tibet. It made between 1800 to 1899 AD. Shristhikantha Avalokiteshvara with Vajradhara Buddha is from Buddhist lineage.  The base of the painting is ground mineral pigment on cotton. Currently, this thangka is in the Rubin museum of art.

Vajradhara Buddha is at the top center of the thangka. Vajradhara Buddha is blue in color. The hands of Vajradhara Buddha is holding a vajra and bell at the heart.

Shiva

Shiva is at the top right of the thangka.  Shiva is holding a hand drum and trident.