Amitayus

15th century

With his hands on his lap in the posture of meditation, this Buddha might be identified as Amitayus. The Pure Land school of Buddhism worships Amitayus as the Buddha of the Western Paradise, a divine realm where his followers may be reborn. This image was made in China, but it borrows much of its look and symbolism from Tibet. Several Chinese emperors supported Tibetan-style Buddhist temples in China and sent gifts to monasteries in Tibet.