May 30
A wooden statue of the priest Baozhi, transforming into the Eleven-Headed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva upon reaching nirvana. 11th century, Heian Period. Currently on display at the Kyoto National Museum. The Eleven-Headed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is a form of the Bodhisattva who represents compassion. This figure has one main head and ten smaller heads, which symbolize the ability to see and understand the suffering of all beings. Each head represents a different way the Bodhisattva perceives the world, showing compassion in various forms.
