Attendant Bodhisattva Seishi

late 12th–13th century
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 勢至菩薩像
  • Title: Attendant Bodhisattva Seishi
  • Period: Kamakura period (1185–1333)
  • Date: late 12th–13th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal
  • Dimensions: Figure: H. 33 in. (83.8 cm); W. 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm); D. 103/8 in. (26.4 cm)
    Pedestal: H. 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm); W. 14 in. (35.6 cm); D. 11 in. (27.9 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1912
  • Object Number: 12.134.18
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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