Amitabha Buddha and the Eight Great Bodhisattvas

KOREA; Goryeo dynasty

This painting is the oldest depiction of Amitabha Buddha and the Eight Great Bodhisattvas remaining from the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). Amitabha Buddha, the lone figure in the upper register, has a long face, bushy eyebrows, and a unique facial expression. Sitting in full lotus position on a lotus throne, Amitabha forms the middle grade of the middle class mudra. Fine curved lines fill the nimbus and aureole. The background is decorated with clouds and flowers meant to symbolize the Western Pure Land. Below Amitabha, the Eight Great Bodhisattvas stand symmetrically in two rows. In the front row are Avalokitesvara holding a willow branch, Mahasthamaprapta carrying a sutra, Manjusri, and Samantabhadra. Vajragarbha, Sarvanivarana Viskambhin, Maitreya, and Ksitigarbha are in the back row. Vajra and floral motifs decorate the border of the painting. There is an image of Ksitigarbha and Dharmodgata paying respect the Buddha on the back of the painting.