Avalokitesvara, one of the most important bodhisattvas in Buddhism is popularly known as “perceiver of world’s cries”.  Avalokiteshvara vowed to liberate all sentient beings from suffering but when he realized the magnitude of his task, his head exploded into countless pieces. The thousand arms of the deity each containing single eye fan out in a circular fashion so as to completely envelop his body.  Each of Avalokiteshvara’s hands displays an all-seeing eye, symbolizing the union of wisdom and skilful means. The first two hands hold a wish-fulfilling gem, a symbol of the deepest powers of the human psyche.  This bodhisattva is variably depicted, described and is portrayed in different cultures as either female or male. In Tibet thousand armed Avalokiteshvara is Chenrezig, and also spelled ‘Spyan-ras gzigs’.