Taima Mandala and Amida’s Descending

Date17th century

Label TextThis scroll combines two images central to Pure Land Buddhism, whose adherents believe in the salvific power of Amida Buddha (Amitabha in Sanskrit). Below, Amida descends from the heavens to welcome a recently deceased devotee to his celestial abode, the Western Pure Land. The first three of his attendants are bodhisattvas, benevolent deities who ease the paths to salvation. First is the compassionate Kannon (Avalokiteshvara), who holds out a lotus, within which the deceased will travel to the Pure Land. Next is Seishi (Mahasthamaprapta), associated with wisdom, then Jizō (Ksitigarbha), who appears as a monk and relieves the suffering of the most vulnerable among us, such as children. The fourth is blue-skinned Fudō, a wrathful, protective emanation of Amida. The small mandala above shows an assembly of deities in the Pure Land centered on Amida Buddha. Nine small figures below represent the various ranks in which a person can be reborn in this paradise, from the most devout, and extending even to faithful sinners, expressing the all-embracing salvation of Amida.

Object number2020.27.3

ProvenanceJoseph (1931-2019) and Elaine Monsen (1935-2014), Seattle, Washington, by 1961-62; to their daughter, Maren Monsen, Seattle, Washington; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2020

Photo CreditPhoto: Jueqian Fang

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing [on view Apr. 30 - Nov. 28, 2021].

Credit LineGift of Maren Monsen and Jeffry Grainger in honor of Joseph and Elaine Monsen

DimensionsOverall (incl endknobs): 75 3/8 × 20 5/8 in. (191.5 × 52.4 cm) Image: 40 7/8 × 11 9/16 in. (103.8 × 29.4 cm)

MediumInk and color on paper