Padmapāṇi

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Avalokiteśvara in the form of Padmapāṇi. The right hand is in a gesture of generosity (varadamudrā) and the left holds the stem of a flower (padma). Statue from Nepal, 1200 - 1299.
The famous painting of the Avalokiteśvara in the form of Padmapani, Ajanta Caves.

Padmapāṇi (T. phyag na pad mo; C. Lianhua shou; J. Rengeshu; K. Yŏnhwasu 蓮華手).[1][2][3] Translated as, "He Who Holds a Lotus in His Hand," "Lotus-flower holder," etc. One of the common forms of Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.[1]

The term Padmapāṇi is also an early name for Avalokiteśvara,[1] and it is commonly used as an epithet for Avalokiteśvara.[4]

Avalokiteśvara in the form of Padmapāṇi appears with one face and two arms, holding a the stem of a lotus flower (padma) in his left hand.[4] He is often depicted standing.[1][4]

There are numerous images of Padmapāṇi.[1] One of the most famous images of is found at Ajanta Caves in India.[1] The textual inspiration for the images of Padmapāṇi are the Mahayana sutras.[4]

The term Padmapāṇi is commonplace in modern Nepalese Buddhist terminology.[4] In the Nepali text One Hundred and Eight Forms of Avalokiteshvara, Padmapāṇi Lokeshvara is listed as number #104. This form has one face and two hands in a standing posture. The right hand is in a gesture of generosity (varadamudrā) and the left holds the stem of a lotus.[4]

References to Padmapāṇi in Tibetan Buddhist literature appear to be uncommon.[4] However, the Tibetan Tengyur includes a text named the The Padmapāṇi Dhāraṇī translated by Jetsün Drakpa Gyaltsen.[4][5]

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