Figure of Avalokiteshvara. Japan, 19th century.Bronze and cloisonne enamel.Measurements: 110 x 45 x 33 cm.Avalokiteshvara is the bodhisattva of compassion. He is one of the most widely revered bodhisattvas in mainstream Mahayana Buddhism, as well as unofficially in Theravada. He is known in Tibet as Chenrezig, in China as and in Japan as Kannon. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is considered his incarnation of Avalokiteshvara. A well-known Buddhist legend narrates that Avalokiteshvara vowed never to rest until he had liberated all sentient beings from samsara. Despite his exhausting effort, he realized that there were still many unfortunate beings to be saved. After struggling to understand the needs of all, his head was divided into eleven parts. Amitabha Buddha, observing his plight, gave him eleven heads to hear the cries of the suffering. Hearing those cries and understanding them, Avalokiteshvara tried to reach out to all those who needed help, but found that his arms were shattered. Once again, Amit?bha came to his aid and endowed him with a thousand arms so that he could help the suffering multitudes. Many Himalayan versions of this story include eight arms with which Avalokite?vara skillfully holds the dharma, each of which possesses its particular implement, while the more specific Chinese versions give different accounts of their number.