Red Amida

Description

This rare image depicts the Crimson Crystal Buddha of Infinite Life, or Red Amida, with a red body; it is more common to see Red Amida with a red robe. His crown contains the Five Wisdom Buddhas who represent different aspects of wisdom. He is supported by a lotus flower with five- and single-pronged vajras, ritual implements derived from ancient Indian weapons. Their selection is particular to specific deities and rites and based on sacred texts.

Provenance

(N. V. Hammer, Inc., New York, NY, ?-1971, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?-1971); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, 1971-present (1971-)

Red Amida

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1300s

Accession Number

1971.164

Medium

hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk

Dimensions

Overall: 229.4 x 97.8 cm (90 5/16 x 38 1/2 in.); Painting only: 127.4 x 79.3 cm (50 3/16 x 31 1/4 in.)

Classification

Painting

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund