Frontispiece of the Lotus Sutra

CHINA; Southern Song dynasty

This frontispiece is printed on the front of a copy of the Lotus Sutra that was brought to Saidaiji Temple in Nara from China. The inscription in the bottom left corner of the frontispiece identifies it as being made by Fangzhi, a wood engraver in Jinling (present day Nanjing) who was active between 1208 to 1280.
The central figure is Sakyamuni Buddha teaching the Dharma. The Buddha, wearing a patched monastic robe, sits on a lotus throne with a table of offerings before him. He is accompanied by a throng of attendants including the Ten Great Disciples, Heavenly Kings, and other Dharma protectors. At the bottom of the picture, monks, royalty, and court officials are shown kneeling with their palms joined, looking towards the Buddha. Heavenly beings riding on clouds are shown further to the upper left and right sides of the frontispiece. On the far left and right, there are two Bodhisattvas seated on lotus thrones. Their flame-patterned mandorlas are depicted with long curving lines. Scrolling lines, trees, and flowers surround the figures.