Buddhist Maxim on the Saving Power of Amida
Like adherents of the Pure Land sects of Buddhism, Gukyoku Reisai, a prominent Zen monk, believed in the saving power of Amida Buddha. This couplet, written in Chinese cursive script, reads, from right column to left:
For an utterly evil person,
there is no other expedient means.
Simply recite the name of [A]mida
to achieve birth in Paradise.
—Translated by John T. Carpenter
For an utterly evil person,
there is no other expedient means.
Simply recite the name of [A]mida
to achieve birth in Paradise.
—Translated by John T. Carpenter
Artwork Details
- 愚極礼才書 「極重悪人無他方便・唯稱弥陀得生極楽」
- Title: Buddhist Maxim on the Saving Power of Amida
- Artist: Gukyoku Reisai (Japanese, 1369–1452)
- Period: Nanbokuchō period (1336–92)
- Date: first half 15th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Pair of hanging scrolls; ink on paper
- Dimensions: Image (each scroll): 36 3/4 x 8 3/4 in. (93.4 x 22.3 cm)
Overall with mounting (a): 67 1/8 x 9 1/2 in. (170.5 x 24.1 cm)
Overall with knobs (a): 67 1/8 x 11 1/4 in. (170.5 x 28.6 cm)
Overall with mounting (b): 67 x 9 1/2 in. (170.2 x 24.1 cm)
Overall with knobs (b): 67 x 11 3/16 in. (170.2 x 28.4 cm) - Classification: Calligraphy
- Credit Line: Gift of Sylvan Barnet and William Burto, in memory of John M. Rosenfield, 2014
- Object Number: 2014.719.9
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
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.