Chinese Gilt Bronze Amitayus
Chinese Gilt Bronze Amitayus, a Chinese gilt copper alloy figure of Amitayus. He is seated in dhyanasana on a double lotus throne, the hands resting in his lap holding a long life vase, dressed in finely pleated dhoti with engraved borders and wearing heavy jewellery: necklaces, bracelets and a five petalled crown, a flowing scarf around his arms and side drops over the lotus throne. Remains of red and blue colour on back of scarf and crown. Not sealed base.
Kangxi period (1662-1722).
Height: 17 cm.
Weight 1302 g.
Provenance: Käthe & John Marsing collection.
Condition
Wear due to age and use.
*Amitābha (Sanskrit pronunciation: [ɐmɪˈtaːbʱɐ]) is the principal Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism. He is also known as Amitāyus, which is understood to be his enjoyment body (Saṃbhogakāya). In Vajrayana Buddhism, Amitābha is known for his longevity, discernment, pure perception, and the purification of aggregates with deep awareness of the emptiness of all phenomena. Amitābha is associated with the Diamond Realm (vajradhātu), whereas Amitāyus is associated with the Womb Realm
Amitābha is also known in Tibet, Mongolia, and other regions where Tibetan Buddhism is practiced. In the Highest Yogatantra of Tibetan Buddhism, Amitābha is considered one of the Five Dhyāni Buddhas (together with Akṣobhya, Amoghasiddhi, Ratnasambhava, and Vairocana), who is associated with the western direction and the skandha of saṃjñā, the aggregate of distinguishing (recognition) and the deep awareness of individualities. His consort is Pāṇḍaravāsinī. His two main disciples (the same number as Gautama Buddha) are the bodhisattvas Vajrapani and Avalokiteśvara, the former to his left and the latter to his right. In Tibetan Buddhism, there exist a number of famous prayers for taking rebirth in Sukhāvatī (Dewachen). One of these was written by Je Tsongkhapa on the request of Manjushri (For a discussion and translation of the most important prayers in the Tibetan tradition see Halkias).
The Panchen Lamas[14] and Shamarpas[15] are considered to be emanations of Amitābha.
He is frequently invoked in Tibet either as Amitābha – especially in the phowa practices or as Amitāyus – especially in practices relating to longevity and preventing an untimely death.
In Shingon Buddhism, Amitābha is seen as one of the thirteen Buddhas to whom practitioners can pay homage. Shingon, like Tibetan Buddhism, also uses special devotional mantras for Amitābha, though the mantras used differ. Amitābha is also one of the Buddhas featured in the Womb Realm Mandala used in Shingon practices, and sits to the west, which is where the Pure Land of Amitābha is said to dwell.
