Buddha of the Western Paradise November 16, 2012

The calm, contemplative elegance of Japanese Buddhist sculpture of the late Heian Period (794-1185 B.C.) is embodied in the latest Japanese art acquisition. A Gift of Dr. R. Joseph Monsen, Dr. Elaine R. Monsen, and Maren Grainger-Monsen; longtime friends of the Seattle Art Museum; this Amida Buddha (Amitabha), the Buddha of the Western Paradise, is an exemplary representation of the gilt statues of Amida commissioned by the nobility of that era.