Accession Number1964/2.17
TitleA Votive plaque depicting a Bodhisattva in Amitabha's (Chinese. Amitofou's) Western Paradise, giving rebirth to new souls from lotus buds
Artist(s)ChineseArtist NationalityChinese (culture or style)Object Creation Date618-907Medium & Supportterracotta, moldedDimensions 2 5/8 in. x 2 in. ( 6.7 cm x 5.1 cm )
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Caroline I. Plumer for the James Marshall Plumer CollectionLabel copyHere one of the celestials who attend upon the Buddha Amitâbha in his Western Paradise is shown seated on a lotus-shaped throne. From a lotus bud in his right hand emerges a long, curling lotus stem with three blossoms, each containing a tiny soul, a newcomer to paradise.
Maribeth Graybill, Senior Curator of Asian Art
Exhibited in "Flora and Fauna in Chinese Art," April 6, 2002 - December 1, 2002.
Subject matterThis small clay plaque was probably originally one of a large group that collectively illustrated a scene of the Western Paradise of the Buddha Amitabha (Chinese, Amitofou). In this detail, a bodhisattva sits on a lotus petal; from his right hand emerge several lotus stems, with tiny figures emerging from them. According to the teachings of Pure Land Buddhism, these are souls being reborn in the Western Paradise after having called upon Amitabha for mercy.
Physical DescriptionA small, thin, molded clay plaque with a bas-relief scene.
Primary Object Classification Sculpture Primary Object TypereliefAdditional Object Classification(s)Ritual ObjectCollection AreaAsianRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
Buddhism
bodhisattva
lotus (motif)
miniature (size attribute)
paradise (doctrinal concept)
plaques (flat objects)