Bodhisattva as Lotus at the Guimet Museum, Paris, France

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The name Avalokiteśvara is broken down into three key components: the prefix ava, which signifies "downward movement"; lokita, a past participle of the verb lok, meaning to notice or observe; and īśvara, which translates to lord, ruler, or sovereign. According to Sanskrit sound combination rules known as sandhi, a+iśvara becomes eśvara. When combined, these parts convey the meaning "lord who looks down upon the world." Although the word loka (world) is not explicitly stated in the name, its implication is present. Interestingly, this phrase does appear in the Cambodian version of Avalokiteśvara, which takes the form Lokeśvara. This object forms part of the Scan The World initiative, a non-profit endeavor launched by MyMiniFactory to create a comprehensive digital repository of 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe. These items are available for free public access, making it easier for people worldwide to appreciate and benefit from them. The Scan The World project is an open-source community effort that relies on contributions from individuals who wish to share interesting objects they find in their surroundings. If you have a unique item that you'd like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate in this initiative and help create a vast digital archive of cultural treasures.