The Wisdom and Compassion Goddess was about to enter nirvana. Still, she paused on hearing the sentients' sufferings in the three worlds. Thus she vowed to remain on earth and not enter the divine realm until all lives are liberated from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The name Guanyin means "She who harkens to the cries of the world."

In this mid 20th century patinated bronze Guanyin, the Ming-style Bodhisattva has three emerging heads and a small female figure representing the Divine Mother, with Vajradhatu Buddha and Garbhadhatu Buddha along sides, surmounted by the ascendent head of Amitabha Buddha, of whom the Goddess of Compassion is an emanation. Guanyin is seated upon an elaborate three-tiers triple lotus throne. In her upper two hands are the sun and moon disks, with the forward hands pressed together in Namaskar blessings mudra. Her sixteen-arms display various attributes, including the Dharma Wheels, flaming wisdom pearls, bell and hammer, and a shakujo and a spear. The aureole of arms and attributes is her radiance symbolizes the protection and guidance of suffering sentient beings. The heavy solid bronze statue weighs nine pounds. One weapon held in her front right hand has broken off. A raised seal mark on the base read "Golden Dragon Respectfully Made 金龍精掣." Overall in very good condition.