Amida Manifesting in the Dharma-body of Expedient Means
This image of the Buddha Amida (Sanskrit: Amitābha) radiating beams of light was created as a private devotional image, most likely for the home altar of a follower of the True Pure Land School of Japanese Buddhism. Unlike deluxe icons made for major temples, a work like this one would have been attached to a paper backing before it was painted—a form of prefabrication. After the image was executed, it would have been mounted on bright silks. Similar examples produced today are sometimes made in sets of three, with Amida at the center; Shinran, the founder of True Pure Land Buddhism, to the right; and Rennyo, the reviver of Honganji Temple, to the left. Alternatively, Amida is flanked by calligraphic inscriptions of ten and nine characters, respectively, known as myōgō. The simplest myōgō used in True Pure Land Buddhism is six characters, and translates to “Hail the name of Amida Buddha.” Although some of the pigments are lost, much of the cut silver foil remains, and is untarnished.
The rays of light symbolize the forty-eight vows made by Amida when he was a bodhisattva to help others attain enlightenment.
The rays of light symbolize the forty-eight vows made by Amida when he was a bodhisattva to help others attain enlightenment.
Artwork Details
- 方便法身尊影
- Title: Amida Manifesting in the Dharma-body of Expedient Means
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: 18th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Ink, color, and cut silver on silk
- Dimensions: 14 x 6 1/2 in. (35.6 x 16.5 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1918
- Object Number: 18.146.1
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Itō Jakuchū
1755
Yosa Buson
ca. 1765
Kaihō Yūsetsu
mid-17th century
Studio of Kano Takanobu
Konoe Nobutada
early 17th century
Japan
early 17th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.