Avalokiteshvara at The Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario

myminifactory

This Bodhisattva, likely Avalokiteshvara from Daning in Shanxi Province, is a wooden sculpture with polychrome finishes completed circa 1300 during the Yuan dynasty. In Mahayana Buddhism, bodhisattva refers to a being who has achieved enlightenment through bodhi. A bodhisattva possesses great compassion and generates bodhicitta, a spontaneous desire for buddhahood that benefits all sentient beings. Bodhisattvas are one of four sublime states achievable in life, alongside arhat, buddha, or pratyeka buddha. The term bodhisattva has evolved over time; in early Indian Buddhism, it primarily referred to Gautama Buddha's past lives as depicted in Jataka tales. These stories showcase the bodhisattva's attempts to embody self-sacrifice and morality. This object is part of Scan The World, a non-profit initiative by MyMiniFactory that creates a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items and want to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how to help.