Shojuraigoji Temple: Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas
Shojuraigoji Temple: Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas
JAPAN, Shiga, Otsu; Kamakura period
This 14th century painting depicts Amitabha Buddha and 25 Bodhisattvas descending on clouds to welcome a deceased being to the Pure Land. It was listed as an Important Cultural Property in 1897.
The large Amitabha Buddha stands in the center of the picture, looking down and forming the welcoming mudra. Amitabha is surrounded by 20 Bodhisattvas playing musical instruments. In the upper left corner, a Bodhisattva beats a drum in front of curving trails of cloud that extend off into the distance. On the lower right, Avalokitesvara, Mahasthamaprapta, and Samantabhadra kneel beside the house of the deceased. Above the house, two Bodhisattvas play the drums and dance. The bright gold figures stand out vividly from the dark background.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting P-Z, page 828.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Youlu and Wilson, Graham and Manho and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting P-Z},
pages = 828,
title = {{Shojuraigoji Temple: Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas}},
volume = 16,
year = {2016}}