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

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

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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Attendant Bodhisattva Kannon, Wood with lacquer, gold paint, gold leaf, and inlaid crystal, Japan — Attendant Bodhisattva Kannon
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Jūichimen Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion with Eleven Heads (Avalokiteshvara), Wood with lacquer, gold leaf, and metal decoration, Japan — Jūichimen Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion with Eleven Heads (Avalokiteshvara)
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ca. 1250

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