Minneapolis Institute of Art

Thangka of an eleven-headed Avalokiteshvara

TibetLinkedCulture matchlcp-62b37825a9bc

Date

late 18th century

Medium

Ink and color on silk

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Object ID

60610

This thangka , a scroll painting on cloth, was designed to be hung in a monastery or private shrine. Easily rolled for storage or transport, thankas are used as meditational tools. The central deity is Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, who takes a form with 11 heads and multiple arms, emphasizing his boundless knowledge and ability to help innumerable devotees at once. The bodhisattva is shown emanating from a chorten or stupa (a structure that holds relics—a model of which is seen in the case behind), which represents the historical Buddha; celestial Buddhas are depicted in surrounding heavenly roundels. Below, earthly beings make offerings to Avalokiteshvara. Tibet, Asia

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