Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Light, early 12th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Japanese cypress with polychrome and goldexpand_more
Mary Griggs Burke Collection, Gift of the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundationexpand_more 2015.79.256a-c
On View in Gallery 220expand_more
Amida Nyorai, the Buddha of Limitless Light, is the salvific central figure of Pure Land Buddhist teachings. Believers who call on the name of Amida will be greeted by him and his retinue at the moment of death and transported to the western Pure Land. In this sculpture, which reflects the influence of the master Japanese sculptor Jōchō (d. 1057), Amida is seated with legs crossed in the full lotus position. He joins the index fingers and thumbs of both hands in a mudra (sacred gesture) of welcoming. Traces of the gold foil that once fully covered Amida’s skin and the green, red, and black pigments of his clothing remain.
Details
- Title
- Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Light
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2015.79.256a-c
- Provenance
- Dainichi-do, Terai, Koga-gun, Shiga Prefecture Hollis until 9/66 Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Murase, Art through a Lifetime, no. 547
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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