Khara Khoto: Amitabha Buddha Triad Welcoming the Deceased

CHINA, Inner Mongolia, Alxa; Western Xia period

Amitabha Buddha occupies the right side of the painting, while Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas appear as slightly smaller figures on the left side. All three stand on lotus pedestals among curling clouds painted in red, blue, green, and yellow. Amitabha Buddha forms the welcoming mudra. The Buddha has a green nimbus and red mandorla, and is dressed in colorful overlapping robes. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva stands in profile, with a white nimbus, wearing a headdress with a Buddha image on the top. Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva wears a headdress decorated with a vase and has a blue nimbus. The two Bodhisattvas hold a large golden lotus pedestal for a deceased man standing in the bottom left corner of the painting. His hairstyle and clothing are characteristic of the Tangut people of the Western Xia period (1032–1227). From the top of his head, a trail of pink clouds rises, supporting a kneeling child. White light extends from the child to the urna of Amitabha Buddha, symbolizing rebirth in the Pure Land.