Welcoming Descent of Amida (Amida Raigō)
Unknown Artist
1300–1333
Medium
hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on silk
Dimensions
painting: 171.8 × 84.5 cm · mounted: 269.1 × 113.3 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Japanese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
1953.123
About this artwork
In the Pure Land school of Buddhism, Amida Buddha is the focus of worship. Pictured here is the raigō, or the moment when Amida descends with his retinue to welcome a dying person into his Pure Land, called the Western Paradise. Once there, a person can concentrate on becoming enlightened. Images like this one could be placed before a person on their deathbed to help them stay faithful and motivated to attain birth in the Pure Land.