Amitabha Buddha
Gilt copper alloy
Amitabha Buddha
CHINA; Ming dynasty
Amitabha Buddha wears a trefoil crown and other rich jewelry, including earrings that descend to the shoulders. These accessories are usually associated with Amitayus, the Buddha of long life. The statue is otherwise dressed in the simple attire of a monk and sits in lotus posture upon a Sumeru throne with hands in dhyana (meditation) mudra. The throne is carved with lotuses, the attribute of this Buddha, with a wish-fulfilling gem at the center. Peacocks, Amitabha’s riding mount, flank and support the throne. As one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, Amitabha belongs to the western direction. This exquisitely sculpted statue shows elements of 15th century Nepalese style.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F, page 30.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F},
pages = 30,
title = {{Amitabha Buddha}},
volume = 10,
year = {2016}}