Sijing

CHINA, Zhejiang, Hangzhou; Song dynasty

Sijing was a monk, painter, and sculptor from Qiantang (present day Hangzhou, Zhejiang). He studied under monk Dezang Zheying and later became a Pure Land school practitioner. In 1107, he established a vihara in Shanxi which was later expanded into a temple. Sijing was well-known for his meritorious conduct and generosity.
He stayed at Xiangfu Temple in Zhejiang during the winter of 1137, and after seven days of contemplating on Amitabha Buddha’s image while sitting in meditation, he passed away at the age of 70. It is said that the top of his head was still warm and the fragrance of incense still hovered in the air for seven days after.
Skilled in sculpting, Sijing engraved a magnificent Buddha image on a large rock cliff at Duobaoshan in Zhejiang. Whenever he painted Buddha images, he would first chant the Buddha’s name in a quiet room and then sit in deep contemplation before he began. His painting of Amitabha Buddha is now kept at Konrenji Temple in Aichi, Japan.