This is a gilt-bronze sculpture of the Buddha Amitayus. He is in bodhisattva outlook, wearing a crown and is adorned with extensive jewellery and accessories. He is seated in dhyanasana posture, with his hands laid on his lap to form a meditation (dhyana) mudra, a distinctive form of the western celestial Buddha. The figure sits upon a double lotus pedestal, which is frontally decorated only. It means that the figure is supposed to be placed on an altar cupboard and worshipped. This sculpture demonstrates how strictly a sculpture can pertain to traditionally iconometry. It is executed with a degree of precision that is very rare compared to other pieces. Although its stylistic maturity might suggest a younger age, the patina is preserved in pristine condition as the gilding are almost intact.

Amitayus appears in two forms. When he is in apparitional body (sambhogakaya), he appears in jewelled bodhisattva outlook. When he is in his form body (nirmanakaya), he appears in Buddha outlook and is addressed as Amitabha instead of Amitayus. Amitayus is the exemplification of longevity and good health. Always depicted in meditation posture, Amitayus reminds Buddhist followers the fundamental connection between spiritual advancement and physical well-being, and that he symbolises pillars of Buddhist doctrine instead of just being a subject of worship.

Danny Ching