Avalokiteshvara is the 'bodhisattva' of compassion, remaining in the material world to assist others to escape the suffering of the world by becoming enlightened. The multiple heads reflect different aspects of Avalokiteshvara – three calm, three angry, and at the top that of Amitabha Buddha, with whom Avalokiteshvara is associated. The heads symbolise his ability to counter evil powers with kindness. The first ten heads represent the ten directions (the four cardinal and four inter-cardinal directions, the centre, above, and below). The 1,000 arms surround the figure in a halo, and usually each hand has an eye in the centre. In this form, the 'bodhisattva' sees in all directions and can therefore relieve all beings’ suffering. Protective deities and lamas (a monk of great learning) from the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect surround him.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 2011.