2-747-967 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Welcoming Descent of Amida Buddha, 1300-33. In the Pure Land school of Buddhism, Amida Buddha is the focus of worship. Pictured here is the raigo , or the moment when Amida descends with his retinue to welcome a dying person into his Pure Land, called the Western Paradise. Once there, a person can concentrate on becoming enlightened. Images like this one could be placed before a person on their deathbed to help them stay faithful and motivated to attain birth in the Pure Land.