Amoghpasa Lokeshvara is a multi-armed form of Avalokiteshvara that seems to have been popular in Nepal since the Middle ages. The name suggests that he is the lord of the world with infallible noose which leads suffering sentient beings to enlightenment.

In Nepal as much as 360 forms of Avalokiteshvara are found in hymns or stavas but only 108 forms of Lokeshvara can be found in pictures with iconographic details. Whit a close survey of these pictures we can tentatively conclude that' Lokeshvara' is said to be a deity or a Bodhisattva or a Buddha who vows to do welfare of all sentient beings.
Etymologically the word 'Lokeshvara' is the union of two words i.e. Loka + Ishvara= Lokeshvara i.e. the Lord of the World.

Although in Buddhism the concept of inherent existence of Ishvara is denied in philosophical aspects yet in common parlance Newar Buddhists regard all Buddhas or Bodhisattvas as Lokeshvara. It seemed that those Bodhisattvas belonging to the tradition of Lokeshvaraja Tathagata are said to be Lokeshvara according to Sukhavativyuha Sutra.

According to Amoghpasa Hrdya nama Dharani sutra, ninety on kalpas ago Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva received the transmission of this Dharani from Lokeshvararaja Tathagata.
Since then he used that Dharani to teach limitless sentient beings. When the Avalokiteshvara manifests transformed body and uses this Dharani to ferry over sentient beings he is called 'Amoghpasa'.

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Posted: 7:54:55 AM  
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