The Eleven-faced Avalokiteshvara, "Chènrézi"

Eleven faces, many arms.... Why?... Consequences of a wish:

Avalokita (Chènrézi), undertaking to act for the good of all, declared in the presence of Amitabha: « as long as one person will not have reached the Enlightenment yet, I will strive to achieve it; would I fail to respect my commitment, then my head be burst in ten pieces and my body in one thousand...» As an answer, Amitabha's promise to help Avalokita getting his wish. 

Avalokita's body then emits six light rays, which create a number of spiritual Emanations releasing the sufferings of all kinds of beings. After many Kalpas (after endless time) Avalokita notices that the number of beings still to be freed from Samsara has only slightly reduced..... Sense and self judgement of worthlessness, despair, thoughts destroying His promise.. His head and body break. In pain, Chènrézi calls Amitabha for help; the Latter exhorts Avalokita to resume his noble task and gives Him ten faces, so that He can touch others with the eyes of compassion, in all directions.

Body and main face of Chènrézi are white, symbol of purity, knowledge, anger turned into wisdom, wisdom similar to the perfectly polished mirror. He is completely free, no external or internal perturbation affects Him.

The Jewel in His joint hands: love and compassion coming to the aid of humans

The Mala (Rosary): recitating Avalokita's Mantra releases the sufferings.

The Lotus: untouched Wisdom. 

Dharma Wheel: Teachings, for the good of all.

Bow and Arrow: Knowledge and Compassion.

Mudra: gesture of the Donation; Ewer, containing the liquor of immortality.  

On Avalokita's faces, green, white and red colors alternate, which respectively symbolize: Enlightened activity; Purity, absence of any veil such as ignorance and internal perturbations; Radiance of love and compassion.

With features of a « Dharmapala »,  protector of the Dharma, the tenth face is blue, color of the Knowledge of Teachings.

Above, The eleventh is Amitabha's face, witnessing His support to Chènrézi.

The ten faces are the image of « the ten Grounds of Bodhisattva ». A Bodhisattva, driven by love, compassion and wisdom, who has let his own Ego vanish, has reached the first Ground. Accomplish the ten leads to the perfect state of Buddha.