Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

This Buddhist deity is originally known as Avalokiteśvara or Padmapani from the Pali language. Avalokiteśvara evolved into 觀音菩薩 (Guānyīn Púsà) or simply 觀音 (Guānyīn or Kuan Yin) in China.

In Tibet, the name is Chenrezig. In Myanmar/Burma, it's Lokanat or Lokabyuharnat. In Thailand, it's Lokesvara. In Sri Lanka, the name is Nātha.

The "Thousand hands" symbolizes the all-encompassing protection of all beings, while "thousand eyes" symbolizes the all-envisioning of the world. In Buddhist beliefs, the Thousand-Handed Guanyin can help beings overcome illnesses and hardships, fulfill their wishes, and possesses boundless compassion and supernatural powers. According to the Buddhist scripture "The Great Compassionate Heart Dharani Sutra of the Thousand-Handed Thousand-Eye Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva," Avalokitesvara vowed to benefit all beings in the past countless eons, and as a result, grew a thousand hands and eyes.

The "Thousand" is just a suggestive number. Images and statues typically have 42 or 44 arms, with each hand holding a different ritual object, each with its unique symbolism, such as the hand holding a sword to subdue all ghosts and gods, or the hand holding prayer beads to receive guidance from all Buddhas.