Serenity

A picture of serenity, Avalokitehvara is said to be the embodiment of the Buddha's compassion and is always depicted in white and holding a lotus.  The four arms and hands signify the four immeasurables: loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity but like all religious art there is a whole lot more symbolism going on in the painting.  Avolokitehvara is the patron bodhisattva of Tibet under the name Chenarezig.  The Chinese buddhists portray him as a woman, Kuan-Yin (she who hears the cries of the world),  India sees Avalokitehavara as a cosmic being who takes countless shapes in whatever form will most effectively free beings from suffering.

The artist is Andy Weber whose spent seven years in the 1970s living and studying the iconographical art of Tibetan Buddhism in India and Nepal;  one of his teachers  had escaped from Tibet with some 250 year old scroll paintings (thankas).  Andy paints many thankas for western Buddhist centers and travels the world teaching but his studio is not far from where I live, as is the Manjushri Meditation Centre where I found this card last century and more years ago than I care to remember, since that time they have built a Peace Temple in the grounds with a golden top which glistens in the sunlight and no doubt serenity can be found inside. 

Postcards for the Weekend theme - Serenity - be serene at Connections to the World