The four-armed Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara, sits in meditation, his folded hands symbolizing the meeting of wisdom and compassion. In Nepal, where he is very popular, there are at least 108 forms of him.

Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezi in Tibetan) is the Lord of Compassion and primary Patron Deity of Tibet when regarded as a deity. He is also regarded as a Bodhisattva. That term has several meanings. At first it referred to earlier incarnations of the Buddha but now means one who has reached a certain degree of Enlightenment and could move on to Nirvana but has chosen to remain on earth to help everyone attain Buddhahood. The term also means an embodied aspect of Buddhahood. Chenrezi manifests that aspect of Buddha which usually is called compassion. As Buddha is the Lord of Infinite Light and Unqualified Love- Chenrezi is the Lord of Qualified Light the Light of the Sun and Moon- the Light of Space and Time- in other words love in a relationship. The purpose of his multiple arms (and sometimes multiple heads) is to reach all who suffer. It is said that his partner Tara was born from a tear of compassion that fell from his eye. (FLG)