Putuo Shan is the shrine of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion.

The Bodhisattva called Avalokitesvara, or Guanyin in Chinese tradition, has always been a symbol of great compassion, one who tirelessly seeks out people needing help and consolation. One popular Mahayana Sutra described the Bodhisattva as appearing in whatever forms as required according to the situation and the needs of the people. Buddhists try to emulate the compassion of this Bodhisattva.

Many faithful Chinese and Tibetan Buddhists venerate this Bodhisattva, therefore there are many images of Avalokitesvara in their temples. Guanyin was a male figure in India, and slowly morphed into a female figure in China. Some statues take the symbolic form of thousand arms, thousand eyes, or four faces, etc. These are metaphors for great-power and all-seeing. These forms are also popular in Hindu culture, which influenced Buddhist art.