Description:

13-14th Century Bronze Amida Buddha
600 year old standing Amida, surrounded with intact aureole. Very precious temple antiquity, solid bronze, from southern China, of the Buddha "whose splendour is immeasurable." Amida is beloved as the 'saviour' Buddha, who meditated for five Kalpas (aeons) before pronouncing his great vow to save all beings no matter who they were. Amida's introduction to China, a worship brought out by the voyage to India of the Chinese pilgrim Huiren (Canmin) in 712-719. At the early time, many of the Amitabha statues – similar to this one – were very small. It was only after the worship spread to most arieas of China, Tibet and Japan that the statues began to dwarf even Shakyamuni Buddha. Amida was introduced to Tibet in the eighth century by Padmasambhava. Surrounding Amitabha, the fourth Jina (who represent the heavenly emanation of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni Gautama') in the fiery aureole, are the Bodhisattvas of Amitabha, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprata, forming the trinity or triad of Amitabha (in Japan Amida Sanzon). Above Amitabha is the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, seated on a lotus and praying. The trinity are welcoming the followers of Amitabha to the Western Paradise – the Pure Land. Amitabha worshippers are joyful followers, knowing they are saved by his compassion, and his ceremonies are celebrated with many lamps (Mando-e – the myriad of lights in Japan). This Amida stands 11 inches and is solid bronze.