| Chenrezig is a form of Avalokiteshvara. Chenrezig is | | | | compassion, immeasurable joy, and immeasurable |
| also known as the Buddha of Compassion or 4 | | | | equanimity. Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Boundless |
| armed Avalokiteshvara. Of all the deities in Mahayana | | | | Compassion, is the very embodiment and realization |
| Buddhism, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, | | | | of the four immeasurable. The four immeasurable are |
| Chenrezig, is one of the most celebrated. He is the | | | | the vehicles through which Chenrezig benefits beings. |
| lord endowed with complete illumination, who refrains | | | | "The first two, the inner arms, have palms joined at |
| from entering the blissful state of nirvana to remain | | | | the heart, holding a sky-blue, and wish fulfilling jewel." |
| here below and save the creatures of the earth. This | | | | This symbolizes that in whatever way Chenrezig |
| devotion to the salvation of others emphasizes the | | | | manifests to benefit beings, the quality of Chenrezig's |
| profound compassion this bodhisattva represents. In | | | | mind is never separate from the all pervasive |
| the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon of enlightened beings, | | | | primordial wisdom. |
| Chenrezig, Avalokiteshvara, is renowned as the | | | | In the outer right hand, Chenrezig is holding crystal |
| embodiment of the compassion of all the Buddhas, | | | | beads and moving them the way we use a mala to |
| the Bodhisattva of Compassion. | | | | count mantras. This symbolizes that there is not one |
| Avalokiteshvara, Chenrezig, is visualized in many | | | | moment when Chenrezig does not benefit beings. |
| forms, with various numbers of faces and arms, and | | | | Like the steady movement of counting the beads, |
| various colors and ornaments. The radiant white | | | | Chenrezig is continuously benefiting sentient beings |
| Buddha form representing purity and power of the | | | | and turning the wheel of enlightened activity. In the |
| enlightened mind's loving kindness and compassion is | | | | outer left hand, Chenrezig holds a lotus flower. This |
| illustrated above and at the very top of this page. | | | | symbolizes that in benefiting sentient beings, |
| He sits on a lotus and the flat disc of the moon, with | | | | Chenrezig manifests in whatever forms are |
| another moon disk behind him, reflecting his total | | | | necessary in accordance with the mental capacities, |
| purity. Two of his four arms are joined in the prayer | | | | circumstances, and aptitudes of sentient beings. |
| position holding the wish fulfilling gem. In his other left | | | | Chenrezig may appear in any of the different realms, |
| hand he holds a lotus flower and in his other right | | | | such as the hell realm or the hungry ghost realm. |
| hand, a crystal mala (rosary), which he is using to | | | | However Chenrezig may appear, he remains free |
| count the repetitions of his mantra, Om Mani Padme | | | | from any of the samsaric stains of the various |
| Hum, Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus, which liberates all | | | | realms, the way a lotus flower growing in a swamp |
| beings from suffering. He wears the silks and | | | | appears free of the stain of the mud. The left hand |
| ornaments of a Bodhisattva, representing all his | | | | of Chenrezig, holding the flower, symbolizes that |
| special qualities, and the soft skin of an antelope over | | | | stainlessness. All the various features of this image |
| his shoulder, symbolizing his complete freedom from | | | | have meaningful connections to the wonderful |
| violence. He smiles with deep understanding, love and | | | | qualities of Chenrezig, and by focusing on these |
| compassion as his eyes look upon all beings. The four | | | | details as we visualize the image in the meditation, |
| arms and hands signify the four immeasurable: | | | | we can gradually awaken our own awareness of |
| immeasurable loving kindness, immeasurable | | | | those same qualities in ourselves. |