Stock Photo - Sandstone figure of Bodhisattva Avalokitesara (Guanyin) Northern Qi dynasty, AD 550-577. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have chosen to stay in the world to help others achieve Buddhahood. Avalokitesara is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, known in Chinese as Guanyin. Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, 'he who listens to the cries of the world'. This Guanyin is covered in heavy jewellery, whose forms are borrowed from Western and Central Qsia. The rich adornment shows the growing popularity of Avalokitesara in the second half of the 6th century among devotees in China. British Museum