Red Amida
1304
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1304
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Red Amida is a 1304 unspecified by Unknown, depicting Kamakura Period, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
A bright red Buddha sits on a flower, hands folded in calm. Gold lines trace his robe and halo. Tiny figures peek from his crown. Most Buddhas wear red robes, but this one is red all over—skin, clothes, even the light around him. The flower beneath him has sharp, forked shapes called *vajras*, tools from old Indian rituals. They’re not weapons here, just symbols. To see more like this, look up Japan, Kamakura period (1185–1333).
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.
Red Amida holds his hands in a mudra, or gesture, of welcome, as he receives worshipers to another plane called the Pure Land.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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