淨土宗 The central idea of Pure Land Buddhism, the largest Chinese Mahayana Buddhism sect, is anyone chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha with total concentration and devotion may be reborn in Amitabha’s Western Paradise (Sukhavati), known as the Pure Land and will remain in that beautiful land free from pain and want studying the Dharma with Amitabha until they are ready for final enlightenment. Some believe those ready for the path to enlightenment arrive in the Pure Land on an open lotus; those requiring additional effort are brought to the Pure Land inside a closed lotus and returned to earth to further purify themselves by following Buddhist principles.
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This rare Ming Amitabha carving is depicted a noble, compassionated standing figure with hands in welcoming mudra as he receives devotees into his Western Paradise encouraging viewers to contemplate pursue their aspirations for rebirth there.
This Guanyin image was probably one of a pair of images along with the Taoist Queen Mother of the West (16206A-WACK) placed together on a community, local temple or home altar. Created by the same local artisan, they are provincial rather than imperial style having a humble, unadorned and simple rendering, seated on backless thrones, hands covered by a ritual cloth, uncharacteristic of Guanyin but common for Taoist goddesses. Both wear layered robes and a high pointed crown – the Queen Mother’s centered by a phoenix and Guanyin’s by a flower surrounded by symbolic aureole of radiating light. Both have soft blissful smiles with eyes cast slightly downwards to engage their devotees. Initially covered in bright polychrome colors, there are traces of surviving red, yellow, green, brown and black.
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