Buddha Of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara Analysis

When you look at Buddhist art, the Buddha, often in the form of Shakyamuni Buddha, express peace and he sits and meditate. It brings the audience in a ethereal state because one can feel connected to the Buddha, and his “ultimate reality.” However, this does not simply gears towards only to Buddha Shakyamuni, but also the other Buddhas that exist under Buddhism. Ultimate reality in Buddhism is not a physical place, rather it is a psychological and spiritual state that an individual would achieve. Although the Buddha is not “The Holy” himself, he is seen as a model form, so close to an actual divine being. In the sculpture of Shadakshari Avalokiteshvara, this Buddha is depicted with two hands positioned palm facing each other, and two other hands coming out of his body positioned in a meditation form. It is also depicted sitting legs crossed, in lotus position, which is also another physical position and form of meditation (“Buddha of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara Statue 14.”). This sculpture expresses the idea that an artistic expression of the sacred means that the art piece must provide and evoke a sense of spiritual experience towards the divine or ultimate reality to the individual. This sculpture brings
In Boreth Ly’s article, “Buddhist Walking Meditation and Contemporary Art of Southeast Asia,” Ly discusses about an artist named Montien Boonma, who uses meditation in his art. Ly writes, “Boonma applied this to his work, practicing his daily vipassana meditation through his art. He woke up at 3:00am each day to perform his daily ritual of drawing alms bowls until 6:00 am as mediation before the sun rose” (Ly). This shows that even the artist, himself, is affected by the teaching of Buddha. The artist, himself, is able to also achieve this connection and spiritual experience through making and creating the