Bodhisattva of Compassion as Lokeshvara the Sky Flyer (Khasarpana)

Exquisite Buddhist votive sculptures carved from soft ivorylike stone were made for personal devotional use during the 11th and 12th centuries in particular. This form of Avalokiteshvara, the powerful bodhisattva of compassion, sits with one foot down in the posture of royal ease, the Buddha Amitabha in his crown. This special form of the bodhisattva of compassion brings relief to hungry ghosts. A hungry ghost with a distended belly praises him in the lower left corner of this plaque, to the left of the tiny regal figure with a manuscript tucked in his left arm. Green Tara is at Avalokiteshvara's proper right, holding a lotus, and the four-armed goddess Bhrikuti holds a rosary and water bottle at his left.