Amida Buddha with Attending Bodhisattvas

This sculpture presents the welcoming descent in three dimensions. Rather than standing, the Buddha sits in an unusual half-lotus position, with one leg extended downward. His attending bodhisattvas appear in the familiar format: Seishi is on the Buddha’s right in prayer, while Kannon leans down toward the believer, arms extended to offer the lotus throne (now missing) to transport the soul to paradise. The large lush clouds that dominate the bottom half, the radiant halos, and the flowing drapery contribute a feeling of depth and dynamic action to the triad.