According to the Buddhist teaching bodhisattva is a creature who decided to help others on their way to the enlightment. Bodhisattvas are depicted as beautiful figures with soulful faces dressed in exquisite gowns and decorated with jewellery. Bodhisattva of compassion was originally a young man but later on the image of a young girl spread out. In China he became one of the most favourite Buddhist deities. Wooden carvings with remains of colours come from the times of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. Stone figures are dated back to the second half of the 6th century.