The Newar Craftsmen of Kathmandu Valley: Objects of Devotion from Nepal

Tathagata Amitabha
Mineral pigments on primed cotton
Original painting by Roshan Shakya

In the Mahayana Buddhism of Nepal, the conception of a Buddha goes beyond the historical figure Shakyamuni, born in Lumbini, who was enlightened in Bodh Gaya, taught first in Sarnath, and died in Kushinara. Buddhahood in this tradition is thought to be a cosmic reality, manifesting in various forms, human and divine, throughout space and beyond any limits of time. To convey this metaphysical conception, these manifestations of this universal Buddha-reality were shown in standard positions according to the cardinal directions; this doctrine’s application can best be seen in the niches placed in stupas shrines. These cosmic Is (a synonym for a Buddha) also came to be identified through distinctive body colors and hand gestures, mudras. Amitabha, also called Amitayus, is the Buddha of the western direction; he is revered as the creator of a rebirth paradise, Sukhavati, where all born within it reach enlightenment. Across east Asia after 700 CE, the most popular school of Buddhism formed was one that focused its devotees on attaining rebirth in Amitabha’s “Pure Land.”