IMPORTANT AND LARGE THANGKA OF THE SUKHAVATIVYUHA SUTRA WITH AMITAYUS.
Tibet. 17th/18th c.

Colors and gold on fabric; framed with Chinese silks. Amitayus is the visible form of Buddha Amithaba. With both hands holding the amrita receptacle with the nectar of immortality. His mandorla is surrounded by leafy twigs with white flowers amids which 108 (here 110) smaller depictions are sitting.

In Tibetan Buddhism 108 is a holy number. It is the product of multiplying the twelve month by the nine planets. In the Greater Sutra of Transcendental Wisdom and Infinite Life (sukhavativyuha sutra) the 108 names of Amitayus are listed. Complete size: 145 x 81cm; image size: 78 x 57cm. Condition B. Creased and rubbed. Supplement: Framed with glass.

Provenance:
-Private collection Rhineland. Acquired from Tsering Tashi Thingo in the 1980s.Art trade; Van Ham.