勢至菩薩像|Attendant Bodhisattva Seishi

Unknown

late 12th–13th century · Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal · Asian Art

Amida Nyorai (Sanskrit: Amitabha Tathagata), the Buddha of Limitless Light, sits upon a lotus pedestal at the center of the altar. His hands form a mudra of meditation. His benevolent gaze, directed toward the devotee below, is symbolic of his boundless compassion. Amida is flanked by his attendant bodhisattvas (kyōji ), Kannon (Sanskrit: Avalokiteshvara) at right, and Seishi (Sanskrit: Mahasthamaprapta) at left, and is escorted by flying celestial beings. This sculptural configuration, known as an Amida Triad, or Amida-sanzon in Japanese, is a visualization of the Welcoming Descent (raigō) of Amida, who descends to this world with his heavenly retinue to provide salvation for all believers who have called upon his name. When a believer dies, Amida and his retinue venture to this world to rescue the deceased.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 12th–13th century

Medium

Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1912