Chenrezig

Chenrezig, also known as Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit, is a bodhisattva of compassion central to Mahayana and Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. The name Chenrezig is the Tibetan rendering of Avalokiteshvara, meaning “the lord who looks down with compassion.” Chenrezig is regarded as the embodiment of the compassionate activity of all Buddhas, sworn to listen to the cries of beings and to guide them toward awakening.

Iconography and forms vary. The most common depiction in Tibetan art shows a white, multi-armed figure, often with four arms; the upper hands hold symbolic implements such as a lotus and a rosary, while the lower hands assume gestures of protection and compassion. There is also a thousand-armed form, Sahasrākāra Avalokiteshvara, representing the ability to aid countless beings simultaneously.

Mantra and practice are central to Chenrezig devotion. The mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is widely associated with Chenrezig and is recited or chanted in many Tibetan Buddhist practices. The six syllables are commonly interpreted as aspects of the path to enlightenment, guiding ethical conduct, patience, diligence, renunciation, andwisdom.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Chenrezig plays a pivotal role across lineages. The Dalai Lamas are regarded in the Gelug tradition as emanations or reincarnations of Chenrezig, reflecting the bodhisattva’s role in compassionate leadership. In East Asia, Chenrezig is equated with Guan Yin (Guanyin), the revered bodhisattva of compassion, illustrating the cross-cultural spread of the enlightened being’s compassion.