Sugioji Temple: Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas
Ink and color on silk
Sugioji Temple: Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas
JAPAN, Nara; Kamakura period
This 13th century painting was a hidden treasure of Sugioji Temple in Yamato (present day Nara), before it was moved to Enjoji Temple in Nara. It is now held by Anrakuritsuin Temple, and was listed as an Important Cultural Property.
Amitabha Buddha and a retinue of 15 Bodhisattvas descend upon a trail of clouds that begins in the top left corner of the painting. Amitabha, the largest figure, has both a nimbus and an aureole, and sits upon a lotus throne. The hands form a mudra. The Bodhisattvas include Mahasthamaprapta; shown with joined palms, Avalokitesvara; carrying a lotus throne, Samantabhadra; bearing a canopy, Ksitigarbha; holding a jewel, Nagarjuna; with joined palms, and ten Bodhisattvas playing instruments. The courtyard of the house below is painted with trees, blooming flowers, and water fowl playing by a pond.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Painting P-Z, page 880.
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 = 880,
title = {{Sugioji Temple: Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas}},
volume = 16,
year = {2016}}