Minneapolis Institute of Art

Amoghasiddhi Buddha

ChinaLinkedCulture matchlcp-7111c01d5494

Date

1403–24

Medium

Lacquer and gold on sandalwood core

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Object ID

31240

Amoghasiddhi is one the Five Cosmic Buddhas of the Mahayana tradition. It is believed that after the historic Buddha attained enlightenment and ascended to the heavens, he preached to the gods, some of whom became enlightened beings, or buddhas, themselves. These five preside over the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west) and the center. A devotee’s goal is to be reborn into one of their realms. A compartment inside this lacquer figure holds objects of ritual importance. X-rays show what appear to be a roll of paper, possibly a religious text; a small bead or pearl; and a glass vial, perhaps containing consecrated water. The distinctive patterns with infilled gold leaf indicate the sculpture was a gift to a Tibetan monastery by China’s Yongle emperor (1403–24). Asia

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