Since the first century C.E., Avalokiteśvara bodhisattva had become an important expression of Indian Mahayana Buddhist faith. Images of Avalokiteśvara, Guanyin in Chinese, along with its faith came to China by the end of the third century C.E.. Scriptures and images of the Eleven-headed Guanyin(Ekādaśa-mukha) appeared earliest in the Esoteric system of Avalokiteśvara faith. At the end of seventh century C.E., under the patronage of Empress Wu, the benefits of the Eleven-headed Guanyin Ritual closely connected the benevolent king with the nation’s safety and prosperity. In the meanwhile, other forms of Esoteric Guanyin were introduced, Thousand-armed Guanyin was among the most popular ones. By the ninth century, in Cave 14 at Tunhuang, painted on the wall is a new set of 5 different forms of Guanyin, including the Eleven-headed one. This brand new composition marked a new era which may have influenced by the Tibet as well as other regions from the west.
