Buddhist Maxim on the Saving Power of Amida

first half 15th century

Not on view

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

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

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