Bodhisattva of Compassion as Lokeshvara the Sky Flyer (Khasarpana) (Late 1000s CE)

The “Bodhisattva of Compassion as Lokeshvara the Sky Flyer (Khasarpana)”, a small yet significant votive sculpture, hails from the late 1000s during the Pala dynasty in Bihar, Eastern India. Now housed in The Cleveland Museum of Art, this artifact captures the essence of Buddhist compassion through its intricate carvings and symbolism, offering insights into the spiritual and artistic practices of the time.

This sculpture was created during the reign of Ramapala (1078/79–at least 1130), one of the most renowned rulers of the Pala dynasty. The Pala dynasty, known for its patronage of Buddhism and art, fostered a vibrant period of sculptural production in Bihar, which was then a significant center of Buddhist learning and culture. Made of kaolinite, a soft, ivory-like stone, this artifact represents a period when such sculptures were produced for personal devotional use by followers of Buddhism, particularly during the 11th and 12th centuries.

This sculpture depicts Avalokiteshvara, the powerful bodhisattva of compassion, in a unique form known as Lokeshvara the Sky Flyer. In this form, Avalokiteshvara is portrayed seated in a posture of royal ease, with the Buddha Amitabha in his crown. An intriguing detail of this plaque is the presence of a hungry ghost with a distended belly, shown praising the bodhisattva in the lower left corner. This symbolizes Avalokiteshvara’s role in providing relief to suffering beings, including hungry ghosts, who are believed to wander in a state of insatiable hunger in Buddhist cosmology. Additionally, Green Tara and the four-armed goddess Bhrikuti, depicted at Avalokiteshvara’s knees, hold significant symbolic objects, adding to the sculpture’s narrative richness.

Avalokiteshvara, also known as Lokeshvara (“Lord of the World”), is one of the most revered figures in Mahayana Buddhism. He is associated with great compassion (mahakaruṇā) and is believed to listen to the cries of suffering beings, offering aid and relief. The sculpture represents Avalokiteshvara as a compassionate savior and protector, a theme prevalent in Buddhist iconography. Furthermore, the inclusion of Green Tara and Bhrikuti reflects the syncretic nature of Buddhist art, where multiple deities are often portrayed together to signify their interconnected roles in aiding sentient beings. The vibrant colors originally used to depict Lokeshvara (white), Tara (green), and Bhrikuti (gold) suggest a dynamic and multi-dimensional understanding of these divine figures.

The sculpture is made of kaolinite, a soft, white clay mineral resembling ivory. It measures approximately 7.7 cm or 3 1/16 inches in height. Traces of pigment found on the sculpture indicate that it was originally painted, with Lokeshvara depicted in white, Tara in green, and Bhrikuti in gold. This use of color would have enhanced the visual impact and symbolic meanings associated with each figure.

Originating from Bihar, India, the sculpture reflects the artistic and religious milieu of the Pala dynasty. Over the centuries, it made its way to various collections before being acquired by The Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is currently preserved and displayed, providing scholars and the public with a glimpse into the Buddhist art of medieval India.