Seated Amida, the Buddha of the Western Paradise at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich

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Amida, the Buddha of Limitless Radiance, stands as one of the most reverently venerated deities in Eastern cultures. Sacred scripture tells us that Amida brought forth a paradise known as the Pure Land (Jodo), where sentient beings could strive for enlightenment without suffering the hardships associated with earthly life. In Japan, worship of Amida flourished during the Fujiwara period (894-1185), and high-ranking aristocrats built temples and commissioned paintings depicting Amida's glorious haven. The renowned sculptor Jocho created a majestic image of Amida at Byodo-in temple in Uji, Japan, an icon of elegance and refinement. Featuring a round, youthful face, droopy eyes, and delicately carved drapery, the sculpture exudes meditative serenity and reassuring tranquility. The Institute's version of Amida closely emulates Jocho's prototype. Its surface, now marred by fire damage, would have shimmered with a layer of gold. His hands are posed in symbolic gestures (mudra): the raised right hand banishes fear, while the lowered left hand is open in the gesture of giving or "wish granting." 12th Century. This object is part of the "Scan The World" initiative. Scan the World is a non-profit project launched by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe, accessible for free to the public. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate.