Avalokiteshvara symbolizes infinite compassion and holds a very important position in Mahayana Buddhism. Regarded as a manifestation of Amitabha Buddha, having the same boundless compassion. According to a widely accepted story, Amitabha aids Avalokiteshvara in his efforts to free all sentient beings from the cycle of life and death by giving him 11 heads and a thousand hands to hear the cries and reach out to the suffering in multitudes.