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Part of: Living Images (22 resources )
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Living Images

Copyright
All Rights Reserved
Created by
Robert Jerome Morrissey
Last Updated
May 25, 2022 2:53 p.m.

22 Items in this Learning Collection
Tantric icon in portable case

Collection Object
Bodhisattva Mañjusri (J. Monju Bosatsu), seated on a lion
This icon painting depicts the bodhisattva Monju seated cross-legged on lotus on top of a lion. The figure holds a vajra sword, and is dressed in flowing robes with golden jewelry. Two circular mandorlas surround the figure. 
Collection Object
A Votive plaque depicting the Buddha seated in dhyana mudra, and flanked by two stupas
A small, thin, molded clay plaque with a bas-relief scene.
Collection Object
Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Chinese, Guanyin) with a willow branch and vase
A portable icon featuring Guanyin. She is standing in a walking position and is carrying a willow branch and vase.
Collection Object
A Votive plaque depicting a Bodhisattva in Amitabha's (Chinese. Amitofou's) Western Paradise, giving rebirth to new souls from lotus buds
A small, thin, molded clay plaque with a bas-relief scene.
Collection Object
A Votive plaque depicting the Buddha Amitâbha (Chinese, Amitofou) preaching in his Western Paradise
A small, thin, molded clay plaque with a bas-relief scene..
Collection Object
A Votive plaque depicting the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha (Ch. Dizang), in Amitabha's Western Paradise
A small, thin, molded clay plaque with a bas-relief scene.
Collection Object
Suiten kyo (Sutra of Varuna, Deity of the Waters)
This is a long horizontal scroll with several calligraphic inscriptions on the right portion of the paper. On the left are 3 figural scenes. The one closest to the writing shows a male figure wearing a large headdress seated in the lotus position within a circle. Next there is a figure with four arms who stands on the back of a dragon. Two people stand on either side- one a short blue-skinned man who holds a bowl and the other a smaller figure who holds a brush and paper. The third scene shows a male figure, seated in the lotus position, who holds a sword, a wheel, a brush and paper in his four hands.
Collection Object
Sutra Scroll Container with Cover

Collection Object
Bodhisattva Mañjusri (J. Monju Bosatsu) seated on a lion
This depiction of Monju (Sanskrit: Mañjuśrī), the bodhisattva of wisdom, shows him seated on his typical lion mount, holding a vajra sword and lotus, upon which rests a sutra scroll. While most of the pigments have deteriorated with age, the brightly colored lotus and dappled skin of the lion suggest the original vibrant colors of the image. 
Collection Object
Bodhisattva (Jokaisho Bosatsu): esoteric Buddhist iconographic drawing
An illustration of the bodhisattva Jokaishō, the divine figure is seated on a lotus blossom venerating a reliquary. The figure sits cross-legged on a red lotus blossom, while beneath the figure is a blue sutra box on a green and yellow lotus. The image is depicted with largely even "iron-wire" lines typical of Heian period Buddhist painting. 
Collection Object
The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at Kamakura
The daibutsu, or giant buddha, statue takes up the bulk of the pictorial space. Curving upwards and towards the statue is a large pine. At the feet of the green hued daibutsu statue are three women of different generations: a young girl, an adult woman, and an elderly woman. Although a few clouds hover in the sky, the sun appears to be shining brightly, casting some shadows of nearby trees into the picture.
Collection Object
Buddha Asyura (Ashura, Kôfukuji, Nara)

Collection Object
Ôtsu-e: The Thunder God Fishing for His Drum
This painting portrays the Thunder God (Raijin), a powerful and ferocious figure, is fishing for his drum, carelessly dropped in the ocean.
Collection Object
Ôtsu-e: Demon soliciting alms (Oni no nembutsu)
In this painting, a mischievous demon is depicted in priest’s garb begging for alms.
Collection Object
Ôtsu-e: Benkei with a Halberd (Naginata Benkei)
This painting portrays Saito Musashibo Benkei holding a halberd. Benkei was a Japanese warrior monk, a popular subject of Japanese folklore. Here the painting is accompanied by text, which became common on images with moralistic messages poking fun at society.
Collection Object
Rubbing of a Folk Carving: Gozanze Myôô, mounted on a Bull

Collection Object
Rubbing of a Folk Buddhist Carving of a Buddhist Guardian King (a Lokapala or one of the four Shitennô)

Collection Object
Ôtsu-e: Warrior Monk of Mii Temple Tossing Armor
There is a warrior monk in the middle of the page holding black armor above his head, getting ready to toss it. There are a couple lines of writing above his head and a signature and two seals in the bottom right corner of the hanging scroll.
Collection Object
Demon Soliticing Contributions
This is a hanging scroll painted with ink and color on paper with the main subject of a demon or&nbsp;<em>oni</em>. The demon has horns in its head and stands as if in motion. On its front leg closest to the viewer is a piece of paper with writing. Above its head is an inscription in four lines descending in order from the upper right. On the bottom right corner is another inscription followed by two red seals.&nbsp;
Collection Object
Jizo Bosatsu (?)

Collection Object
The Bodhisattva Jizô with a demon and children
This painting depicts the bodhisattva Jizō standing by the bank of a river surrounded by children.  The majority of these are seated on the ground, creating small piles of rocks, but a few pull on the divinity’s robes. At a distance is a red demonic figure (oni) leaning on a staff with his arm outstretched over the water. 
Collection Object
22 Items in this Learning Collection
Tantric icon in portable case

Collection Object
Bodhisattva Mañjusri (J. Monju Bosatsu), seated on a lion
This icon painting depicts the bodhisattva Monju seated cross-legged on lotus on top of a lion. The figure holds a vajra sword, and is dressed in flowing robes with golden jewelry. Two circular mandorlas surround the figure. 
Collection Object
A Votive plaque depicting the Buddha seated in dhyana mudra, and flanked by two stupas
A small, thin, molded clay plaque with a bas-relief scene.
Collection Object
Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Chinese, Guanyin) with a willow branch and vase
A portable icon featuring Guanyin. She is standing in a walking position and is carrying a willow branch and vase.
Collection Object
A Votive plaque depicting a Bodhisattva in Amitabha's (Chinese. Amitofou's) Western Paradise, giving rebirth to new souls from lotus buds
A small, thin, molded clay plaque with a bas-relief scene.
Collection Object
A Votive plaque depicting the Buddha Amitâbha (Chinese, Amitofou) preaching in his Western Paradise
A small, thin, molded clay plaque with a bas-relief scene..
Collection Object
A Votive plaque depicting the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha (Ch. Dizang), in Amitabha's Western Paradise
A small, thin, molded clay plaque with a bas-relief scene.
Collection Object
Suiten kyo (Sutra of Varuna, Deity of the Waters)
This is a long horizontal scroll with several calligraphic inscriptions on the right portion of the paper. On the left are 3 figural scenes. The one closest to the writing shows a male figure wearing a large headdress seated in the lotus position within a circle. Next there is a figure with four arms who stands on the back of a dragon. Two people stand on either side- one a short blue-skinned man who holds a bowl and the other a smaller figure who holds a brush and paper. The third scene shows a male figure, seated in the lotus position, who holds a sword, a wheel, a brush and paper in his four hands.
Collection Object
Sutra Scroll Container with Cover

Collection Object
Bodhisattva Mañjusri (J. Monju Bosatsu) seated on a lion
This depiction of Monju (Sanskrit: Mañjuśrī), the bodhisattva of wisdom, shows him seated on his typical lion mount, holding a vajra sword and lotus, upon which rests a sutra scroll. While most of the pigments have deteriorated with age, the brightly colored lotus and dappled skin of the lion suggest the original vibrant colors of the image. 
Collection Object
Bodhisattva (Jokaisho Bosatsu): esoteric Buddhist iconographic drawing
An illustration of the bodhisattva Jokaishō, the divine figure is seated on a lotus blossom venerating a reliquary. The figure sits cross-legged on a red lotus blossom, while beneath the figure is a blue sutra box on a green and yellow lotus. The image is depicted with largely even "iron-wire" lines typical of Heian period Buddhist painting. 
Collection Object
The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at Kamakura
The daibutsu, or giant buddha, statue takes up the bulk of the pictorial space. Curving upwards and towards the statue is a large pine. At the feet of the green hued daibutsu statue are three women of different generations: a young girl, an adult woman, and an elderly woman. Although a few clouds hover in the sky, the sun appears to be shining brightly, casting some shadows of nearby trees into the picture.
Collection Object
Buddha Asyura (Ashura, Kôfukuji, Nara)

Collection Object
Ôtsu-e: The Thunder God Fishing for His Drum
This painting portrays the Thunder God (Raijin), a powerful and ferocious figure, is fishing for his drum, carelessly dropped in the ocean.
Collection Object
Ôtsu-e: Demon soliciting alms (Oni no nembutsu)
In this painting, a mischievous demon is depicted in priest’s garb begging for alms.
Collection Object
Ôtsu-e: Benkei with a Halberd (Naginata Benkei)
This painting portrays Saito Musashibo Benkei holding a halberd. Benkei was a Japanese warrior monk, a popular subject of Japanese folklore. Here the painting is accompanied by text, which became common on images with moralistic messages poking fun at society.
Collection Object
Rubbing of a Folk Carving: Gozanze Myôô, mounted on a Bull

Collection Object
Rubbing of a Folk Buddhist Carving of a Buddhist Guardian King (a Lokapala or one of the four Shitennô)

Collection Object
Ôtsu-e: Warrior Monk of Mii Temple Tossing Armor
There is a warrior monk in the middle of the page holding black armor above his head, getting ready to toss it. There are a couple lines of writing above his head and a signature and two seals in the bottom right corner of the hanging scroll.
Collection Object
Demon Soliticing Contributions
This is a hanging scroll painted with ink and color on paper with the main subject of a demon or&nbsp;<em>oni</em>. The demon has horns in its head and stands as if in motion. On its front leg closest to the viewer is a piece of paper with writing. Above its head is an inscription in four lines descending in order from the upper right. On the bottom right corner is another inscription followed by two red seals.&nbsp;
Collection Object
Jizo Bosatsu (?)

Collection Object
The Bodhisattva Jizô with a demon and children
This painting depicts the bodhisattva Jizō standing by the bank of a river surrounded by children.  The majority of these are seated on the ground, creating small piles of rocks, but a few pull on the divinity’s robes. At a distance is a red demonic figure (oni) leaning on a staff with his arm outstretched over the water. 
Collection Object

Copyright
All Rights Reserved ()

A Votive plaque depicting the Buddha Amitâbha (Chinese, Amitofou) preaching in his Western Paradise

Accession Number
1964/2.18

Title
A Votive plaque depicting the Buddha Amitâbha (Chinese, Amitofou) preaching in his Western Paradise

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
618-907

Medium & Support
terracotta, molded

Dimensions
2 3/8 in. x 1 3/8 in. ( 6 cm x 3.5 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Caroline I. Plumer for the James Marshall Plumer Collection

Label copy
The figures represented in these miniature clay reliefs are all objects of veneration in Mayâyâna Buddhism, the most influential school of Buddhism in Tang China. Small votive plaques such as these would be purchased by pilgrims as souvenirs of a journey to a famous monastery or sacred site; or, conversely, a pilgrim would deposit votive images at selected destinations en route. In either case, the goal was the same: to prolong the contact with the sacred, and thereby to sustain the religious merit gained through the pilgrimage experience.
A seated Buddha is shown in the teaching gesture of “turning the wheel of the law” (in Sanskrit, the dharma-cakra mudrâ). His throne is elevated above a lotus pond on a single lotus stem, suggesting that this is probably meant to be a depiction of Amitâbha, the “Buddha of Infinite Light” who presided over the Western Paradise. The Lotus Sûtra promises that all those who call upon Amitâbha’s mercy can be reborn in his Pure Land. Representations of Amitâbha’s “Pure Land” typically feature a large pond, filled with lotus blossoms in various stages of bloom—each one representing a reborn soul.

Maribeth Graybill, Senior Curator of Asian Art
Exhibited in "Flora and Fauna in Chinese Art," April 6, 2002 - December 1, 2002.

Subject matter
Amitabha (Chinese, Amitofou), the Buddha of the Western Paradise, preaching. Note that his hands are in the dharmacarka mudra (the gesture of "turning the wheel of the law." One of the most widely worshipped deities in Mahayana Buddhism in China from the late sixth through 10th centuries and in Japan from the 11th century onward. Here he is shown seated on a lotus petal, rising up from a pond, and surrounded by rising tendrils of lotus buds.

Physical Description
A small, thin, molded clay plaque with a bas-relief scene..

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
relief

Additional Object Classification(s)
Ritual Object

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If 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
Buddhas (visual works)
Buddhism
lotus (motif)
miniature (size attribute)
paradise (doctrinal concept)

5 Related Resources
Buddhism
(Part of 2 Learning Collections)
Devotional Objects Across Religions
(Part of 4 Learning Collections)
Heavens, Hells, and Afterlives
(Part of 3 Learning Collections)
Cabinet E: Shelf 2
(Part of: Albertine Monroe-Brown Study-Storage Gallery)

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted

On display

UMMA Gallery Location ➜ AMH, 2nd floor ➜ 205 (Albertine Monroe-Brown Study-Storage Gallery) ➜ Cabinet E ➜ Shelf 2