Avalokiteshvara Painting | Leh | Photos of Ladakh

A photo of a painting from Leh, Ladakh, of Avalokiteshvara the Bodhisattva of Compassion

Avalokiteshvara is the Bodhisattva of Compassion and a popular image in Ladakh. The Dalai Lama is regarded as a manifestation of the Avalokiteshvara and is a regular summer visitor to Ladakh where he gives teachings attended by hundreds of Ladakhis.

Avalokiteshvara takes many forms; this form has four arms, others have 6, 8 or 1000. In one hand he holds prayer beads (a mala), in another a lotus flower; the other two hands hold a wish fulfilling jewel to his heart.

This painting is in wayside shrine in the Leh valley.

A guide to approx sizes
A3: paper size 42x29.7cm, image size 40x28cm
A2: paper size 59.4x42cm, image size 57x40cm
70x50cm paper size, image size 68x48cm

Photo by Silk Road Gallery director Peter Bennion, 2008.

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