Inner Asia: The Art of Nepal II: Newar Buddhist Art



Below him is Amitabha as the Buddha of the western direction and the demonstrator of the Pratyaveksajnana jnana (examinational transcendental insight) aspect of the Buddhist enlightenment experience. He is flanked by two Bodhisattvas (not shown separately) that manifest his wisdom and compassion. While ostensibly they are Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta, at Swayambhu Mahacaitya these two Bodhisattvas are simply shown as two generic caurie-bearing Bodhisattvas with out identifying attributes.