Attendant Bodhisattva Seishi

Japan

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 224

Amida Nyorai (Sanskrit: Amitabha Tathagata), the Buddha of Limitless Light, sits upon a lotus pedestal at the center of the altar. His hands form a mudra of meditation. His benevolent gaze, directed toward the devotee below, is symbolic of his boundless compassion. Amida is flanked by his attendant bodhisattvas (kyōji ), Kannon (Sanskrit: Avalokiteshvara) at right, and Seishi (Sanskrit: Mahasthamaprapta) at left, and is escorted by flying celestial beings. This sculptural configuration, known as an Amida Triad, or Amida-sanzon in Japanese, is a visualization of the Welcoming Descent (raigō) of Amida, who descends to this world with his heavenly retinue to provide salvation for all believers who have called upon his name. When a believer dies, Amida and his retinue venture to this world to rescue the deceased.

Attendant Bodhisattva Seishi, Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal, Japan

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Attendant Bodhisattva Seishi, Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal, Japan
Attendant Bodhisattva Seishi, Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal, Japan
Attendant Bodhisattva Seishi, Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal, Japan
Attendant Bodhisattva Seishi, Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal, Japan
Attendant Bodhisattva Seishi, Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal, Japan
Attendant Bodhisattva Seishi, Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal, Japan

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