Sanzenin Temple Main Hall: Amitabha Buddha Triad

JAPAN, Kyoto; Heian period

The three figures form the typical Amitabha Buddha Triad, with Amitabha Buddha flanked by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta. All three figures rest on a low, square altar in the temple’s main hall and are assembled from pieces of lacquered wood. They were listed as National Treasures in 2002.
Amitabha sits with legs crossed and forms the vitarka (teaching) mudra with both hands. The elaborate mandorla behind the figure includes many smaller seated Buddhas within the foliage. Enclosed within the mandorla are an intersecting aureole and nimbus about which the Sanskrit letters of Amitabha’s mantra are contained in roundels.
Avalokitasvara, located on the Buddha’s left holds a lotus in both hands while Mahasthamaprapta has palms joined in anjali (reverence) mudra. Both Bodhisattvas kneel on lotus pedestals, with knees apart and leaning slightly forward. Both Bodhisattvas have a usnisa and tranquil rounded faces like the main figures. Their solid nimbuses are surrounded by a hollow outer circle that supports eight sets of triple radiations.