A mountain in South India, presently known as Potikai, that was of great importance to both Tamil Buddhists and Śaivists (who saw it as the residence of Śiva, known as Lokeśvara). This is the first mention in a sūtra that has identified Avalokiteśvara with this mountain as his residence rather than the pure realm of Sukhāvatī. However, in this sūtra the verse appears to locate it in the ocean, while the prose appears to describe it on land. In Tibet and China, Potalaka was believed to be an island. In Tibet it is usually referred to by the shortened form Potala.

The name of the mountain where the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara dwells (Edgerton 354.2). A city ruled by King Mahendra before the time of Buddha Śākyamuni.

Potalaka is the pure land of Avalokiteśvara.

The mountain in Avalokiteśvara’s pure realm.

The mountain in Avalokiteśvara’s pure realm.

The mountain in the paradise of Avalokiteśvara.

Mount Potalaka is the abode of Avalokiteśvara, believed to be an island off the coast of India. The locus classicus for Mount Potalaka is the final chapter of the Buddhāvataṃsaka, the Gaṇḍavyūha Sūtra. It has also been identified as Pothigai Malai or Potityil, in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. In Tibet and China, Potalaka was believed to be an island. In Tibet it is usually referred to by the shortened form Potala.