Potala Palace: Embroidery of Amitabha Buddha

CHINA, Tibet, Lhasa

Amitabha Buddha is depicted with a blue usnisa surmounted by a jewel. The two-layer nimbus behind is simple, but the mandorla is multi-colored with flowers and leaves around the edge. A robe covers both shoulders and has long loose sleeves. Amitabha sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne and performs the dhyana (meditation) mudra with a bowl resting in his hands. There is a canopy above the Buddha, with the sun and moon among the clouds in the upper register.
Under the lotus throne, there is a rectangular platform with Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva standing on the left and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva on the right. In the lowest register, there are mountains and sea, out of which a plant arises supporting a bowl with offerings.