As a Shakya, I belong to a priest family which takes privilege as a caretaker at the Buddhist temple of Seto Machhindranath (Janabahaa Dyo or Aryavalokiteshwor), also worshipped as White Machhindranath by Hindus. My father (eldest son of the family) has to perform several rituals daily and follow strict rules to stay pure when his turn comes as a caretaker to the temple. I, along with my entire family help out in the process. I made this sketch of Lord Avalokiteshwor while it was my family's turn as the caretaker of the temple back in the month of December, 2013.
Seto Machindranath is worshipped by the Hindus as the god
of rain and the Buddhists worship the deity as an aspect of Avalokiteshvara
(Aaryawarta Lokeshwor). Avalokiteśvara ( lit. "Lord who looks down")
is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. This bodhisattva
is variably depicted and portrayed in different cultures as either female or
male.
