(a) Avalokitesvara (Kwanseum Posal, in Korean)

Avalokitesvara is the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Although in India, Avalokitesvara is clearly male, she is most often depicted as neither male nor female or female by today's art-ists. A bit of mustache is visible in some contem-porary paintings, but these works are generally of an old style. In her Buddhist context, Avalokites-vara's sex is irrelevant, the idea is an artistic impression of the idea of perfect compassion.

Born from a ray of light emanating from Amitabha's right eye, Avalokitesvara is thus closely related to Amitabha and so assists those who request access to the Pure Land. The name means "Hearer of Cries," and she is often pictured with her head slightly inclined as if listening to the pleas of the suffering. She is frequently pictured with a vase and willow spray. The vase contains amrita, the nectar of her compassion, or the waters of life. The willow branch represents her ability and willingness to liberally sprinkle "sweet dew" on the afflicted. The willow, which has long been considered to have medicinal value, also symbol-izes her role as a healer. She is often shown near water, suggesting her paradise, Potala. In paintings she wears white clothing and, like other Bodhisattvas, is sometimes adorned with jewelry, including a crown.

Avalokitesvara also assumes a thousand-eyed/ thousand-armed form. Each hand bears an eye so that the Bodhisattva can see how to help those in distress.
Her eleven-headed and nine-headed forms (the most famous one is behind the Sokkur-am statue in Kyongju) often accompany her multi-limbed depictions and remind us of her all-accepting and all-inclu-sive nature. In her eleven-headed form the left three heads bear an angry countenance; the right three, a serene smile; the three at the back, an expression of compassion; the front and largest face exudes serene equilibrium; and the eleventh face, at the very back, is laughing: a testimony to her wisdom.

Situated at the apex of a multi-headed Avalokitesvara, is a head or miniature Buddha representing the Bodhisattva as an emanation of the wisdom of Amitabha.