The Compassionate Bodhisattva: Unique Southeast Asian Images of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara

Southeast Asia has a long history with Buddhism that continues to the present day. Centuries ago, Buddhism spread to various areas of Southeast Asia, where some of the greatest Buddhist images and monuments were produced over 1,000 years ago. These include the majestic Borobudur in Central Java and Angkor Thom in Cambodia. Images of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara in bronze were also produced in large numbers at this time.

This book deals with images of Avalokiteśvara that are unique to specific countries of Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. It introduces a wider audience to the beauty and originality of Southeast Asian art. The text focuses on specific forms of Avalokiteśvara images found in the different regions of Southeast Asia, illustrating the local developments of Buddhist art. This includes an exploration of both iconography and style, but will also highlight the continuous desire of the artists to portray the compassion for which Avalokiteśvara is known. Even in today's modern world, the idea of compassion becomes ever more vital and the Bodhisattva remains popular among all Buddhists. This book would be a source of knowledge, but perhaps most importantly, fantastical and beautiful images that in themselves are a comfort as they radiate the quality of Avalokiteśvara: compassion.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction
2 Vietnam – a local fashion style
3 Sumatra – the golden Avalokiteśvaras
4 Borneo – the Sambas hoard
5 Java – the sorrowful Avalokiteśvara
6 Malaysia – Avalokiteśvara with the unfailing noose
7 Thailand – Avalokiteśvaras of Lopburi
8 Cambodia – the radiant Avalokiteśvara
9 Conclusion

Dr. Sofia Sundström is fascinated by how a culture absorbs and develops an outside religious artistic influence. Her interest in the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara started during her MA studies at The School of Oriental and African Studies in London. She continued her studies at The University of Leiden and her PhD thesis examines images of Avalokiteśvara from the Buddhist period in Java.