TIBET

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from Chuku Gompa, Kailas khora, Tibet

This carving lies at the rear of Chuku Gompa, the first monastery on the circuit (khora) of Mt. Kailas. Built at the end of the 12th century Chuku gompa sits high above the valley with stunning views of Kailas' southern face.

The carving probably dates from around the same time. About 1.3m in height, it depicts the Buddha of Compassion, Pawa Chenrezig.
Padmapani, or Pawa Chenrezig, has varying names in different Buddhist lands; Avalokiteshvara in the original Sanskri; Chenrezig in Tibetan; and Kannon in Japanese. Avalokiteshvara took a vow to save all beings from suffering. The magnitude of this task inspires his frequent depiction in statues and paintings as a being with numerous heads, and thousands of arms.
Chenrezig, hears all woes of the universe and responds to them. In fact,Chenrezig is not outside ourselves but symbolizes the compassionate aspect of our Buddha nature. Attitudes towards this vary in different Buddhist schools, but for Zen practitioners, ‘Buddha nature’ is something which we all possess and which we all, to varying degrees, express. The training and practice which students of Zen undertake is designed to make their Buddha nature apparent in the world.

Not many who trek the Kailas khora visit Chuku. This image makes the extra effort rewarding.

Next month:  A high-land village

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If you would like to experience the remote land of Western Tibet and visit Chuku Gompa, join our trek to

 the Kailas region : the 'Art of Western Tibet'   May-June 2002.

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revision 18 Mar 2001
http://www.greenkiwi.co.nz/footprints/photo/ph0104.htm