Descent of Eleven-Headed Kannon

Unidentified artist

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Kannon is one of two bodhisattvas who flank the Buddha Amida on his descent to deliver the recently deceased faithful to his Pure Land, the Western Paradise. Here, Kannon in his eleven-headed form descends alone upon a bank of clouds to meet the believer. His right hand is open to bestow compassion and encircled by crystal prayer beads, while his left hand holds a lotus in a vase, representing the healing power of the Buddhist Law. The haloed topmost head is that of Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Light. Kannon’s attendant relationship to Amida is made explicit by the standing figure on the crown and the rays of light that emanate in all directions from his golden form.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art