 |
Zenrinji Temple Amitabha Hall: Amitabha Buddha
|
| |
 |
Zenrinji Temple Amitabha Hall: Amitabha Buddha
|
| |
|
Zenrinji Temple Amitabha Hall: Amitabha Buddha
JAPAN, Kyoto; Kamakura period (1185–1333); Wood; H: 77.6 cm
The statue shows Amitabha Buddha looking back over his shoulder, an extremely unique posture for Buddha statues. It records the incident in 1082 when Eikan, the temple 's seventh abbot, paused during his circumambulations and was urged on by this appearance of Amitabha Buddha. The graceful composition could date from the second half of the 12th century rather than close to the event it is said to commemorate. It is listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
The head and body are carved from several pieces of wood coated with lacquer and gold foil. Seen from the side, the face has a questioning look and the lips are slightly opened as the Buddha glances behind. The right hand is raised and the left hand is lowered, both in vitarka (teaching) mudra. The figure stands on a complex lotus pedestal supported upon an octagonal base. The Buddha wears monastic robes whose folds gather at the midriff and then fall perpendicularly. A shallow aureole and circular nimbus are enclosed within the elongated openwork aureole. There winged garudas strut on lotuses below and apsaras fly inwards above. The aureole and pedestal are later additions. |
