This listing is for a Jodo Shinshu standing Amida Nyorai Buddha made around 30-40 years ago.  It is carved from boxwood and features beautiful gold gilt trim. The right hand of the statue is held in the vitarka mudra, which is a circle formed by the thumb and the index finger.  The left hand is held in the gyan mudra, it is formed by joining together the tip of the index finger with the tip of the thumb.  The Vitarka mudra is the mudra of discussion and argumentation, and the Gyan Mudra is the mudra of knowledge.  He is standing on a lotus pedestal and behind him is a sukashibori openwork mandorla with carved flowers.  Just behind his head sits aureole rays of light.  This piece was carved for a Buddhist altar. 

Jodo Shinshu refers to Shin Buddhism, or True Pure Land Buddhism as it’s commonly known in English. It was founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran Shonan (1173-1263) during the Kamakura period.  Within a few hundred years Shin Buddhism grew into one of the largest and most influential schools of Buddhism in Japan, and it is still one of the most widely practiced forms of Buddhism in Japan today.

Amida Nyorai is the Japanese translation of the Sanskrit name ‘Amitabha Tathagata’. According to legend Amida Nyorai was once a king who rejected his throne and then became a Buddha by committing to forty eight vows.  He is known as the Buddha of infinite light, because it is thought that his radiance is infinite and can illuminate in ten directions without obstruction. He is also referred to as the Buddha of infinite life, because his lifespan is without limit.  He is often seated in lotus position on a jewel lotus.  The lotus is significant as it is a symbol of purity.                                                       

Size

H.29.5cm (11.6”) x 11.8cm (4.6”) across x 8.7cm (3.4”) from back to front                              

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no major problem aside from some small black spots which scratch off.                                                                                                                   

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for Airmail or EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet option unavailable.

**UK and Canada:  EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days).  Combined shipping available (please send us a message) but please note that the price does not get cheaper for EMS, in fact it becomes more expensive.  If you want to save money and don't mind a very long 3 month wait, request sea mail (11-12 weeks depending on processing and backlogs at destination ports). Inexpensive Airmail Small Packet and regular Airmail is currently unavailable.

**Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway:   EMS Express (approx. 7-15 days). 

**Asia:  EMS Express (approx. 7-10 days).   

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.