Amida Buddha from across the Mountains

This 12th-century silk painting at Eikando Temple in Kyoto depicts Amida Buddha descending from the Pure Land over distant mountains to welcome believers. The scene, known as raigo, became a central motif of Pure Land Buddhism during the Heian period. Amida is flanked by the bodhisattvas Seishi and Kannon, forming the Amida Raigoo Triad. The image on display is a replica; the original is a National Treasure considered the finest and oldest of its type. A small hole in the painting's forehead was used in deathbed rituals, with light shining through from behind to represent divine radiance. Five-colored cords could be threaded through holes near Amida's hands to connect with the dying.