Nowadays, very few ancient India Avalokiteśvara paintings could be found. However, by comparing the typical sculptures of different time as shaping references and the bodhisattva portraits from the corresponding period as painting samples, useful references to the artistic expression of ancient India Avalokiteśvara paintings could be provided-its artistic development was substantial and consistent with India Buddhist sculptures; both experienced the process of absorbing foreign technics, inheriting local traditions and standardizing artistic rituals. Rather than being monotonous, the painting styles presented a variety of artistic interpretations of excellent characteristics of Avalokiteśvara from different time and locations. The ancient India Avalokiteśvara paintings were image expressions of local Avalokiteśvara belief, related to four fundamental types-the Savior, Pure-land, Prajñã and Tantra.
