Qing Imperial Palace: Tapestry of Western Pure Land

CHINA, Beijing; Qing dynasty

This exquisite silk tapestry was created in the silk production center of Suzhou during the Qing dynasty. Based on a painting by Ding Guanpeng, a court painter during the rule of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795), it was kept in the collection of the imperial palace.
The theme of the work is Amitabha Buddha’s Western Pure Land, which features pavilions, a pond of seven treasures, waters with eight virtues, and countless practitioners gathering together among flowers, birds, and trees to hear the teaching of the Dharma. Amitabha in the center is flanked by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas. The composition is symmetrical, and there are a total of 278 Bodhisattvas, Heavenly Kings, Arhats, heavenly musicians, and others present. The background has palatial buildings interspersed among mountains, rocks, trees, and clouds. In the upper register, there are rays of light with Buddhas sitting on them, and in the bottom register, beneath balustrades, there are ponds with lotuses. The edges are decorated with circular floral patterns and vines.