Chionin Temple: Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas Welcoming the Deceased

JAPAN, Kyoto; Kamakura period

This painting, commonly known as Hayaraigo (Rapid Descent) is a raigo (welcoming approach) painting. It depicts Amitabha Buddha and 25 Bodhisattvas descending on clouds to welcome a deceased being to the Pure Land. Dated to the late 13th century and listed as a National Treasure in 1955, it is a fine example of the images of Amitabha’s descent that were popular during the Heian (794–1185) and Kamakura (1185–1333) periods.
The scene closely resembles the description found in the Amitayurdhyana Sutra referring to the rebirth of the highest grade of the highest class of beings in the Pure Land. Amitabha and the 25 Bodhisattvas float down from above a mountain ridge. The trail of clouds extends from the top left corner of the painting down to the bottom right corner where Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva kneels and holds out a lotus throne to a deceased monk sitting within a building. Tiny Buddha images hover in the air above the roof. Amitabha stands in the center of the group of Bodhisattvas. Rays of light beam from the Buddha’s urna. There is a faint heavenly palace in the top right corner of the picture. Strokes of varying thickness are used to depict the mountains, trees, and river in the background. The finely detailed landscape, beautiful golden figures, and flowing clouds make this a highly regarded artwork.