阿弥陀佛 Amitabha Buddha, (Sanskrit: Infinite Light), also Amitayus, Amida in Japan and Emituo Fo in China, is the fourth Dhyani (cosmic) Buddha of Pure Land School of Buddhism, China’s largest Mahayana school. When he gained enlightenment, he vowed to create a place with no suffering. Called the Western Paradise, it can be reached after death by all who call “Na Mo a Mi Tuo Fo” (“Devotion to Amita Buddha”) or chant his name sincerely in any language. They will be led there where they will be reborn, abide in a blissful state and learn Dharma taught by Amitabha. He bestows longevity and is often depicted in meditation holding a begging bowl. In the Ming he was a standing figure with a long right arm palms outward in varada mudra, the gesture of charity and his left at his chest holding a lotus blossom or incense pot. Images of the Amitabha Buddha often center Guanyin’s headdress acknowledging her spiritual connection to him.
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Irvin calls Guanyin one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are all imperially sanctioned and epitomize the feminine role of compassionate protectors who grant health, long life and safety to all regardless of their social position. This rare antique Guanyin carving depicts is gender neutral seated on a plain detachable pedestal in meditation (dhyana) with…
Carved wood Guanyin images were enormously popular in China’s provincial regions created by local artisans who did not follow proscribed court artistic rules or iconography and integrated elements from Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Folk Religion traditions into a syncretic blend as one of the Great Chinese Goddesses (Irwin). She sits on a raised lotus rising…
Guanyin, the most beloved deity in the Mahayana Buddhism, embodies compassion and loving-kindness and hears the cries of all beings. During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Guanyin statues were commissioned by provincial artisans for a home altar that were humble and more relatable to the rural devotees as in this statue where she…
This standing Guanyin reflects the Mahayana Buddhism Pure Land tradition popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties which holds the belief that Guanyin guides devotees upon their death to Amitabha Buddha’s Western Paradise where they may be reborn until ready for enlightenment. This carving is a provincial folk art representation that was placed on home…
The close association of the lotus and Guanyin (Sanskrit Padmapani meaning “born of the lotus,”) is depicted in this Guanyin image sitting on a flat, round open yellow lotus padmapitha pedestal held up by a stem flanked by red lotuses facing out in a folk art tradition. As one of the Great Chinese Goddesses (Irvin),…
This Nanhai Guanyin sits in her cave home on the island of Putuo represented by pierced openwork, craggy surfaces and open area at the cave top. Guanyin’s image almost fills the cave’s opening seated in dhyana (meditation), thumbs forming a triangle symbolizing the triratna, the Three Gems of Buddhism (the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings)…
Nanhai-Guanyin seated in meditation (dhyana mudra) in her Tidal Cave on Putuo is one of the most popular Mahayana Pure Land Guanyin images, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and strongly reflects the Chinese syncretic blending of religious beliefs. Provincial craftsmen portrayed her in to reflect local beliefs, lifestyles and customs that resonated with…
This exceptional carving is form of Nanhai Guanyin which means Guanyin of the Southern Seas, one her most portrayed of her 33 manifestations during the Ming and early Qing dynasties. Her pedestal with hanging foliage and base in the form of stones indicates she is seated on her rocky outcrop on Putuo island in the…
This striking, beautiful and sensitive carving is White Hooded (also White Clad or White Robed) one of the most frequent portrayed of her 33 manifestations. Introduced in 10th century Song Dynasty this manifestation portrays her as a humble and modest deity reflecting the features of an ordinary Chinese female, her face cast down in serenity…
Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is one of the most beloved Mahayana Buddhist deities, the embodiment of loving-kindness who hears the cries of all beings, and who is one of the Great Chinese Goddesses – who are compassionate protectors who grant health, long life and safety to all devotees regardless of their social position. During…
This lovely 20th century Thai bronze statue is Guanyin, Goddess of Infinite Mercy and Compassion who hears the cries of the oppressed. She sits in meditation (dhyana mudra) hands in the lap holding her sacred vase containing amitra the sacred dew of compassion, healing and immortality that represents humanities’ tears and her the never ending…
This Nanhai Guanyin sits on a rocky outcrop with stylized draped moss below her rounded robe. In pensive meditation – hands in dhyana mudra with thumbs touching and covered legs in padmasana – she gazes down with half closed eyes Her finely carved face is framed with hair looped over her pendulous ears signifying her…
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