Rare Large Ming Buddha on Elaborate Lotus Throne, China

Description

The beautiful meditative Ming statue is the Amitabha Buddha (Sanskrit: Infinite Light, Boundless Life) also known as O Mi T’o Fu (China,) Amida (Japan) and Amitayus (Tibet) He is the fourth cosmic (Dhyani) Buddha of the Pure Land School of Buddhism, the largest Chinese Mahayana Buddhism school. When Amitabha gained enlightenment, he made 48 vows including the creation of a place where there is no suffering. Known as the Western Paradise it is attainable by all offering a peaceful environment where one can attain enlightenment. It is believed that anyone who calls Amitabha’s name in prayer, Na-mo O-mi-t’o Fu and vows to be reborn in the Western Pure Land will be led there by Guanyin after death where they will live blissfully and taught the Dharma by Amitabha.

At 40” tall, this statue was originally placed in a Mahayana Buddhism spiritual space. He has  a serene benevolent expression with downcast eyes below arched eyebrows and a slightly smiling mouth. He displays many signs of the Enlightened One: tightly coiled “snail” hair surrounding his red ushnisha – the raised cranial protuberance denoting the seat of intellectual powers, wisdom, and divine energy – and pendulous ears symbolize wisdom and compassion. He sits on an intricately carved double lotus pedestal symbolizing purity and enlightenment. His bare upturned feet are in padmasana (lotus position) and his hands in his lap with thumbs touching symbolize the Three Jewels of Buddhism (Triratna in Sanskrit): the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha (community). He wears a traditional Ming/Qing Dynasties 3-part monk’s garment with an undergarment tied at the waist, long graceful sleeves and shoulder shawl open at the chest.

The back indicates the image was consecrated by a monk. This masterful carving is in excellent condition for a Ming wood image with most of its vibrant red and blue pigments on front and back.