Chenrezig, also known asAvalokitesvara,is the Buddha of Infinite Compassion. He listens to the prayers of all sentient beings in times of challenge and difficulty. Always depicted in white, hisfour arms symbolize the fourvirtues;love, compassion, joy and self-control. His two legs arealwaysin the lotus position, thisrepresents the key to becoming a Bodhisattva, a person whois able toreach nirvana but delays doing so through compassion for suffering beings.
Thangkas overflow with symbolism and allusion. Because the art is explicitly religious, all symbols and allusions must be in accordance with strict guidelines laid out in Buddhist scripture. The artist must be properly trained and have sufficient religious understanding, knowledge, and background to create an accurate and appropriate thangka.
This Thangka has been completely hand painted, no stencil has been used.
