Antique Sino Tibetan Bronze Statue
Amitayus
Buddha of Longevity
Qing Dynasty. Circa: 18th-19th century
H 6.25 in.(16cm.), W 4 in. (10cm.), D 3 in. (7.5cm.)
Condition : patina, o.a. good

This bronze Amitayus Buddha is seated on a double lotus, or visvapadmasana. It is finely carved with superb artistry, highly detailed and excellently finished with hand chasing on the face and hair and foliate patterns firmly engraved in the robes. The face is sensual yet serene. The surface combines a dark bronze patina with highlights of gleaming metal and mineral and malachite deposits.

Amitayus, is undoubtedly the most well known and popular of the five Dhyani Buddhas. He is red, the color of love, compassion, and emotional energy. Amitayus can be envisioned as the setting sun. During sunset the sun is gentle and we can directly look into its fierce power without coming to any harm. Amitayus is the supreme power and energy of nature cast on an earthly plain with gentleness, openness, and purity. By meditating on him, the disease of delusion becomes the wisdom of discernment. He is seen holding a bowl of immortality nectar, and in conformity with his dhyana mudra, presents his essential message of meditation. His association with the setting sun invites us to withdraw our external senses and perceptions inward into higher states of meditative concentration.

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