Avalokiteśvara is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. This magnificent bronze Bodhisattva statue was discovered in 1968 at Veragala Sirisangabo Vihara, Allavava (Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka). The eyes are inlaid with rock-crystals and the elaborately plaited jatamakuta is inset with precious stones. The large empty space in the centre of the hairdress was probably inset with a cameo figure of a Buddha; a reasonable assumption since, with the exception of a very worn statue, all other images seated in the same position hear an effigy of the Tathagata Amitabha in the head-dress. It is interesting to point out that all images seated in a combination of lalitasana and rajalilasana display the kataka mudra with the right hand, a gesture intended to hold an attribute.