Amitabha Buddha and Attendants

CHINA; Sui dynasty

This altarpiece portrays the beauty of the Western Pure Land, or Sukhavati. The layout is complex, lavish, and vivid, yet neatly arranged. The figure seated in half lotus position on a Sumeru lotus throne at the center is Amitabha Buddha. A flaming openwork nimbus surrounds the head. The Buddha wears a monastic robe that leaves the right shoulder bare. The hands form the abhaya (fearlessness) and varada (wish-granting) mudras.
The attendants flanking the Buddha, in order of proximity, are the Perfect Enlightenment Bodhisattvas with pointed headdresses; the disciples Mahakasyapa and Ananda; and the Bodhisattvas Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta. It is rare to find Perfect Enlightenment Bodhisattvas included in a composition.
Two trees located behind the Buddha are in bloom, and seven of the top blossoms are surmounted by seated Buddha images. A mountain censer, flanked by a pair of lions and Dharma protectors, is on the square stand at the bottom of the composition.