A Votive plaque depicting a Bodhisattva in Amitabha’s (Chinese. Amitofou’s) Western Paradise, giving rebirth to new souls from lotus buds
Chinese
Description
Here one of the celestials who attend upon the Buddha Amitâbha in his Western Paradise is shown seated on a lotus-shaped throne. From a lotus bud in his right hand emerges a long, curling lotus stem with three blossoms, each containing a tiny soul, a newcomer to paradise.
Maribeth Graybill, Senior Curator of Asian Art
Exhibited in "Flora and Fauna in Chinese Art," April 6, 2002 - December 1, 2002.
Subject Matter:
This small clay plaque was probably originally one of a large group that collectively illustrated a scene of the Western Paradise of the Buddha Amitabha (Chinese, Amitofou). In this detail, a bodhisattva sits on a lotus petal; from his right hand emerge several lotus stems, with tiny figures emerging from them. According to the teachings of Pure Land Buddhism, these are souls being reborn in the Western Paradise after having called upon Amitabha for mercy.
Physical Description:
A small, thin, molded clay plaque with a bas-relief scene.
Usage Rights:
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