Carved Gilded Wood Standing Amida Buddha

Carved Gilded Wood Standing Amida Buddha

Japan, Edo period (1615-1868), 18th century

High 63 cm., long 26 cm.

Carved Gilded Wood Standing Amida Buddha. In gold lacquered wood representing the Buddha standing on a lotus posed on a hexagonal base with several worked levels, both hands in varada mudra. Backed by a removable mandorla decorated with stylized clouds.

* Amitābha (Sanskrit pronunciation: , also Amida or Amitāyus, is a celestial buddha according to the scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Amitābha is the principal buddha in Pure Land Buddhism, a branch of East Asian Buddhism. In Vajrayana Buddhism, Amitābha is known for his longevity attribute, magnetising red fire element, the aggregate of discernment, pure perception and the deep awareness of emptiness of phenomena. According to these scriptures, Amitābha possesses infinite merits resulting from good deeds over countless past lives as a bodhisattva named Dharmakāra. Amitābha means “Infinite Light” so Amitābha is also called “The Buddha of Immeasurable Life and Light”.

* From Wikipedia