Zenrinji Temple: Amitabha Buddha Rising over Mountains

JAPAN, Kyoto; Kamakura period

This mid-13th century painting is the oldest depiction of Amitabha Buddha rising over mountains to welcome deceased beings to the Pure Land. It was listed as a National Treasure in 1957.
The mountains serve to symbolize the border between the human realm and the Pure Land. The serene, majestic figure of Amitabha rises between two rounded peaks. Both hands are held in front of the chest and form the vitarka (teaching) mudra. A pale white nimbus surrounds the head. Below the mountains, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta stand on clouds. The Bodhisattvas wear golden headdresses and have transparent nimbuses. Mahasthamaprapta has hands joined in front of the chest, and Avalokitesvara holds out a lotus throne. The Four Heavenly Kings are depicted in the lower corners. Two pale figures holding faintly visible long banner poles stand in the center of the lower register. Golden characters are written on the faded banners. The Sanskrit character “a,” a seed syllable of the Womb Realm of Vairocana, is written within the moon disc in the upper left corner. The landscape of rolling hills and bare trees is painted in traditional Japanese style. The use of gold and silver adds to the splendor of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas.