Artwork
阿弥陀二十五菩薩来迎図|Buddha and Attendants
阿弥陀二十五菩薩来迎図|Buddha and Attendants is an ink painting. It dates from 1707 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This hanging scroll, titled Buddha and Attendants (阿弥陀二十五菩薩来迎図), is a painting rendered in ink and color on paper.
About this work
Overview
This hanging scroll, titled Buddha and Attendants (阿弥陀二十五菩薩来迎図), is a painting rendered in ink and color on paper. It depicts a divine procession led by a golden Buddha, surrounded by numerous smaller figures, all descending upon soft, pink clouds. This artwork was specifically created for display in a temple setting, intended to be used during funeral rites.
Subject & Meaning
The central theme of this scroll is the Raigō, or "welcoming approach," of Amida Buddha. The Buddha is not merely depicted in repose but actively arriving from the Pure Land, accompanied by a retinue of bodhisattvas. Their collective descent symbolizes the guidance of a deceased soul to the Western Paradise, offering solace and a gentle transition rather than a fearful passage into the afterlife.
Technique & Style
The radiant golden hue of the Buddha contrasts with the delicate, soft palette used for the surrounding figures and the ethereal pink clouds.
Executed with ink and vibrant colors on paper, the scroll employs a visual language designed to evoke serenity. The radiant golden hue of the Buddha contrasts with the delicate, soft palette used for the surrounding figures and the ethereal pink clouds. The swirling patterns of the clouds contribute to a sense of gentle movement and otherworldly grace, creating an atmosphere intended to be comforting and reassuring.
Context
This type of painting played a significant role in Buddhist funerary practices, particularly within Pure Land Buddhism. Hung in temples during memorial services, the scroll served as a visual aid for the bereaved, illustrating the promise of Amida Buddha's compassion and his direct intervention to receive the departed. It reinforced the belief in a peaceful journey to the Pure Land, offering spiritual comfort during a time of loss.
Artist & collection
