The reason I choose Statue of 

Avalokiteśvara because it is significantly related to

Buddhism which is a popular religion in my country – Vietnam. Most of Vietnamese follow

Buddhism, and people believe it brings luck and happiness upon their life. I feel like I can go

deep in detail of this artifact because I am surrounded by a lot of Buddhism people, and I am

used to it. Moreover, I will discuss the Seamless Robe of Jesus which I think is an interesting

religious artifact to study. I want to get to know more about Christianity, so choosing Seamless

Robe artifact will give me a closer look into Christianity.

The Statue of Avalokiteśvara is a sacred artifact coming from Buddhism and

becoming popular in Tibet in the late 7th century. In Tibet, the statue of Avalokitesvara has

many heads and arms, each of his arm holding different object has different meaning. “Lord who

looks down with compassion.” Is a definition of Avalokitesvara. “in the time the departure of

historical Buddha, Avalokiteshvara has guarded the world” (Britannica, 2018). This

demonstrates statue of Avalokiteshvara had represented protection, which made many Buddhists

believe in praying to the statue of Avalokiteshvara will give them guardianship in life. On the

belief that, Avalokiteshvara had created the fourth world, which is considered an actual

university. The statue of Avalokitesvara is considered sacred because it contains the

Avalokitesvara virtues and miracles which will be granted to prayers. Moreover, The

Avalokiteshvara story of assisting all sentient life has ensured the belief of Buddhists in the

Avalokiteshvara statue. At the present, the statue of Avalokiteshvara can be spotted in many

Buddhism temples because it is a part of religious, and it blesses people in the temple.

The Seamless Robe of Jesus was also known as “Holy Tunic” which was worn by Jesus

at his crucifixion in first-century Judea. in the article “The seamless Robe of Christ”, According

to David, The Seamless Robe was Jesus’s most valuable asset, and was created with mighty
craftsmanship. On the belief that Jesus sacrificed himself to end the eternal damnation of

Christians. Jesus has been venerated since he was the savior of mankind. Therefore, The Holy

Tunic which was the remaining of Jesus after his crucifixion had been considered sacred, and

most Christians have a sense of appreciation for the Holy Tunic. The Seamless Robe is indicated

to refer to Christianity. “The seamless tunic was not only just mentioned for its monetary value,

it was also part of the liturgical vestments, that was designed by God and given to Moses in the

desert of Sinai” (Johnston, 2021). This illustrates the Seamless Robe of Jesus is not only a valued

property but also a creation of God which had been passed to Jesus. For the time being, the

Seamless Tunic is safely kept and displayed for people to admire.

Minoan Goddess is a sacred artifact that is displayed at the Rom Ontario museum. This

figure was first introduced in the period of the Aegean Bronze Age. Minoan Goddess is also

known as Minoan Mother Goddess. Minoan Goddess was finely made out of ivory and was

preserved nicely, which made this figure especially special. “(Minoan Goddess) represented a

figure that has never before been seen, inspiring a deeper understanding of the Minoan culture”

(The 'Goddess' and the Museum: "What's in a name?" 2013). This significantly illustrates that the

Minoan culture can be understood deeply through the Minoan Goddess. Hence, this made the

Minoan Goddess sacred. Besides, “The importance of the Minoan Mother Goddess has appeared

in all standard books on Bronze Age religion” (The 'Goddess' and the Museum: "What's in a

name?" 2013). This indicates the Minoan Goddess had been influential, and people in the Bronze

Age were venerating Minoan Goddess.

Picture:
 My definition of sacred

In my knowledge, the word sacred is to indicate something that is believed to be divine

and to have reference to God. The Statue of Avalokiteśvara is an example of this definition, The

Avalokitesvara statue refers to the Lord Avalokitesvara who has been believed to grant beings

protection and luck in Buddhism, which defines this artifact as sacred. Moreover, “Sacred” can

be used to demonstrate something connected with religion. Like the Minoan Goddess being such

a strong connection to Minoan religion. It contained the religion of Minoan. This artifact was

also well-known in the Bronze Age. Therefore, Minoan Goddess is a perfect example of this

term “sacred”. If something too significant to be adjusted or interfered with, it will also be

sacred. This relates to Holy Tunic which was Jesus’s most valuable good. After Jesus’s

crucifixion, his seamless tunic has become holy since Jesus was the savior of mankind. This

shows Jesus’s Seamless Tunic is a religiously important artifact that is defined as sacred.
 Visual design:

My visual presents that all three artifacts have a common connection. Each of the artifact

is indicated as sacred. It connects to its religious origination and divine. Therefore, these three

artifacts create a sacred visual of faith in religion, which also presents the sacred.

Citation the ROM

The 'Goddess' and the Museum: "What's in a name?". Royal Ontario Museum. (2013, August 9).
https://www.rom.on.ca/en/blog/the-goddess-and-the-museum-whats-in-a-name.

Citations (Statue of Avalokiteśvara)

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, February 16). Avalokiteshvara. Encyclopedia
Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Avalokiteshvara

Khan Academy. (n.d.). Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (article). Khan Academy.

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-asia/beginners-guide-asian-culture/buddhist-
art-culture/a/bodhisattva-avalokiteshvara.

Edwin, & Edwin. (2021, March 7). Avalokiteshvara Statues Multiple Forms. GOLDEN
BUDDHA. https://goldenbuddha.net/avalokitesvara-actually-guan-yin/.

Citation (Seamless Robe)

Davis, M. (1970, January 1). The Seamless Robe of Christ.

https://revmdavis.blogspot.com/2010/03/seamless-robe-of-christ.html.

Johnston, A. article by C. (2021, January 14). Question: What Is The Significance Of Jesus'
Seamless Garment? Now That I'm Catholic.
https://nowthatimcatholic.com/2019/03/15/question-what-is-the-significance-of-jesus-
seamless-garment/.

Carey, A. (2012, April 13). Christ's 'Seamless Tunic' on Display for First Time in 16 Years. ABC
News. https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/04/christs-seamless-tunic-on-display-
for-first-time-in-16-years.