Amitabha: The Buddha who Grants Longevity

Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Life, is represented here in his traditional iconography. He sits in the diamond posture, with both hands flat in the contemplation gesture, holding a vase of elixir of immortality with a stylized "tree of life" on top of it.

Amitabha is shown richly clad. His hair is painted blue and falls on either side of his shoulders. He has elongated earlobes like the Shakyamuni Buddha.

In the lower part of the painting can be seen the three-faced Ushnishavijaya at the right and to the left can be seen the White Tara. The presence of these two deities in this artwork is very significant since along with Amitabha, Ushnishavijaya and the White Tara form the triad of longevity deities in canonical Buddhist iconography.

References:

Beer, Robert. The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1999.

Chakraverty, Anjan. Sacred Buddhist Painting. New Delhi: Roli Books, 1998

Fisher, Robert E. Art of Tibet. London: Thames and Hudson, 1997.

Getty, Alice. The Gods of Northern Buddhism. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 1978.

Lipton, Barbara, and Ragnubs, Nima Dorjee. Treasures of Tibetan Art: Collection of the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.

Pal, Pratapaditya. Art of Tibet. Los Angeles: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1990.

Rhie, Marylin M. & Thurman, Robert A.F. Wisdom and Compassion: The Sacred Art of Tibet. London: Thames and Hudson, 1996.

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