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Monks traveling along the Silk Road brought Buddhism, an Indian religion, to China in the first century. By the fifth and sixth centuries, Buddhism had been promoted politically and was widely accepted in China. The arts flourished in response to a new demand for devotional art. Just as Catholics in the west might fund the decoration of a chapel, Chinese Buddhists commissioned art for use in temples.

This figure, once part of a Buddhist temple shrine, represents a Buddhist deity called Avalokitesvara, known to the Chinese as Guanyin. He is the bodhisattva of compassion. Look closely at the decoration on the head. Representations of Guanyin always include a small figure of the Amida Buddha in the headdress.

According to Buddhist belief, a person can escape the miseries of earthly life and achieve nirvana, thereby becoming Buddha. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who postpone entering nirvana in order to alleviate the suffering of others. Look closely at the naturalistic way in which the figure of Guanyin is modeled. This emphasis on realistic appearances is a trademark of this period's Buddhist art and is intended to help the worshipper to feel the closeness of the deity. Notice Guanyin's relaxed and natural pose. He waits compassionately to be called upon to provide comfort and guidance to those in need.

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