Minneapolis Institute of Art

Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva in the Water-Moon Form (Shuiyue Guanyin)

China

Date

12th century

Medium

Wood, gesso and pigments

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Of the many manifestations of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, perhaps none was more prevalent in East Asia than the uniquely Chinese form known as Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara. Here, he presides over his own paradise, Potolaka, a rugged seaside cave from which he could admire the reflection of the moon. Appropriately, he appears meditative and relaxed, seated informally in the “royal ease” posture. Believers might look to a sculpture like this as a guide for their own journeys toward enlightenment. China

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