Relaxed Posture Bodhisattva Lokeshvara Statue 17" Item #7n58

A Bodhisattva in a 'relaxed posture' is a way of describing the sitting manner of this particular Lokeshvara statue.  This sitting position is also known as rajlalila asana.

The key characteristics of the iconographic form are the vertical length of the left leg turned and flat - horizontal to the seat. The right leg is partially folded with the knee raised and the foot squarely planted with the sole of the foot pressing on the seat. The right hand elbow resting on his knee. Lokeshvara is seated on a double lotus base. He wears a crown, jewels and heavenly garments.

Made famous in the Sutras as a bodhisattva, an aspirant to enlightenment, in the Vajrayana system of Northern Buddhism - in the Tantra texts - he is acknowledged as a fully enlightened Buddha manifesting in a vast array of meditational forms for the benefit of all living beings. The most common Sanskrit names for the deity in general and those found in Vajrayana Buddhism are Lokeshvara, Avalokita, Avalokiteshvara, Lokanata and Mahakarunika. After that there are scores of names for specific forms of Lokeshvara - peaceful, wrathful and in between. The Sanskrit word 'arya' meaning 'noble' or 'noble one' is often used at the beginning of the name for each of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas as well as notables such as Tara.

Avalokiteshvara is considered the patron bodhisattva of Tibet and is found in all of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions.