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Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
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Samantabhadra Bodhisattva
JAPAN; Heian period (794–1185); Ink and color on silk; 159.5 x 74.5 cm; Tokyo National Museum, Japan
The Tendai school flourished during the late Heian period. Because the Lotus Sutra is highly venerated by Tendai Buddhists, and Samantabhadra is known as the guardian of the sutra, many paintings of the Bodhisattva were created at the time. This 12th century artwork was listed as a National Treasure in 1951. Samantabhadra sits on a lotus throne on the back of a white elephant. Wearing a tall headdress and ornaments, the Bodhisattva joins the palms in front of the chest. Faint rays of light radiate from the forehead. Flowers fall through the air on the sides of the picture. |
