This impressive statue depicts Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism. Amitabha symbolises wisdom, enlightenment and infinite compassion. His calm, golden face and the hand forming the vitarka mudra - the gesture of instruction and understanding - express his role as a teacher of eternal truth.
The Buddha is cloaked in a richly decorated red dressing gown with embroidered birds, clouds and flowers, symbols of peace, purity and spiritual exaltation. On his chest is a smaller image of Guanyin, alluding to Amitabha's close relationship with this Bodhisattva of compassion. Behind his head, an ornate halo forms a sacred radiant pattern of golden symbols, including the dharmarad (wheel of teachings) and the swastika symbol, which here originally represents eternal harmony and happiness.
Amitabha Buddha is revered as ruler of the Pure Land of the West, a paradise of enlightenment where souls can be reborn. In Java and other parts of Southeast Asia, his image reflects not only religious devotion but also the cultural unity between Chinese and local Buddhist traditions.
Photography was born out of passion, but has also become work. I mainly photograph outdoors in greenery and also like to go home and abroad to capture our beautiful world. My specializations are travel photography, nature (landscape and macro) and architecture. My latest work can also.. Read more…