Amitayus Buddha

CHINA, Tibet

This thangka from central Tibet was painted between 1425 and 1450, a time of change and development in Tibetan Buddhist art. Cultural exchanges between China and Tibet during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties added to the richness and variety of Tibetan murals and thangkas.
Amitayus Buddha is portrayed as a Bodhisattva, wearing a golden crown, earrings, and ornaments. The Buddha has an urna between the eyebrows, a nimbus, and an aureole. Amitayus holds a vase containing the elixir of longevity, and sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, wearing a headdress and a stole, stands on the left beside the Buddha’s knee. Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva is on the right, painted in blue and holding a vajra.
Above the aureole and on both sides of Amitayus’ shoulders, there are images of seated Buddhas. Below, there is an assembly of five Bodhisattvas on the left side, and five monks on the right. Green Tara and White Tara are shown respectively beside the heads of the Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta. Further down there are images of seated Buddhas holding bowls. In each of the four corners, there is a shrine containing a smaller image of the three central figures.The Four Heavenly Kings are painted beside the shrines in the bottom corners. There is a small image of Amitayus in the center at the bottom of the painting, flanked by two seated Buddhas with bowls.