Taima Mandala
This painting centers on the Land of Bliss (Sukhavati), the purified western world of the Buddha Amida (Amitabha, Amitayus) in which all beings are guaranteed a pleasant existence and an easy path to enlightenment. The many small scenes on the left, right, and bottom relate to the popular Contemplation Sutra, which provides instructions for visualizing the pure land in this life and being reborn in it in the next.
The top left corner shows the historical Buddha Shakyamuni teaching the Contemplation Sutra to his disciples. The left column of images, read from bottom to top, narrates Queen Vaidehi's suffering and subsequent desire to be reborn in Sukhavati, which prompts the Buddha to teach the contemplations. The right column of images, read from top to bottom, shows Shakyamuni's instructions to Vaidehi on how to visualize Amitbha's pure land, a world without the sufferings of our own. The bottom row of images, read from right to left, shows nine grades of birth in the Land of Bliss, from highest to lowest. Finally, the large central frame shows the glorious existence of beings in the western paradise, where they benefit from the power and presence of Amitabha, depicted at the very center.
For more information on each part of the image, click on the highlightable areas.
Western Paradise (Taima Mandala). Japan, 1600s, Edo period. Ink, color, and gold on silk. Gift in honor of Isaac Newton Phelps Stokes by John Davis Hatch, 1971.64. Photograph courtesy of the Denver Museum of Art (used with permission).
https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/1971.64
Some details here are based on the translation of the Contemplation Sutra by Hisao Inagaki.
1 Narrative Frame of the Sutra
Like many other sutras, the Sutra on the Contemplation of Amitayus begins with Shakyamuni, our historical buddha, surrounded by an assembly of monks and bodhisattvas. This scene provides the stage for subsequent narratives and teachings. For more on the relationship between the two Buddhas, Shakyamuni and Amitayus, see the parable of the Two Rivers and White Path.
Following the Contemplation Sutra, the next scene lies at the bottom of the left column of images in the painting (highlighted in white), which tells the story of Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, and Vaidehi.
2.01 Ajatashatru influenced by Devadatta
The narrative scenes along the left side of the painting reveal the context in which the Buddha taught a sequence of contemplations (depicted on the right side of the painting) for visualizing and being born in the Land of Bliss. The story begins with a prince betraying his father and mother and concludes with the mother, Queen Vaidehi, pleading to be taught about the Land of Bliss by the Buddha.
In the first scene of the narrative illustrations, Prince Ajatashatru, influenced by the wicked Devadatta (floating in flames at top left), decides to imprison his father, King Bimbisara.
2.02 Bimbisara is imprisoned
King Bimbisara (top right) is confined to a guarded room.
2.03 Queen Vaidehi visits Bimbisara
Queen Vaidehi visits Bimbisara and secretly brings him food and drink to help sustain him.
2.04 Bimbisara visited by Maudgalyayana and Purna
The Buddha's disciples Maudgalyayana and Purna visit Bimbisara to give him the precepts and teach him the Dharma, giving him peace.
2.05 Ajatashatru visits Bimbisara
Ajatashatru, visiting the prison, discovers that Bimbisara has not yet died, due to Vaidehi's care.
2.06 Ajatashatru attacks Vaidehi
Outraged at his mother's actions, Ajatashatru intends to kill her but is restrained by the minister Candraprabha, who reminds him that killing one's mother is unforgivable. Instead, Ajatashatru imprisons Vaidehi as well.
2.07 Vaidehi is visited by Maudgalyayana and Ananda
Distressed by her situation, Vaidehi asks the Buddha to send his disciples Maudgalyayana and Ananda to comfort her.
2.08 Shakyamuni appears
The Buddha Shakyamuni appears to Vaidehi in the inner chamber of the royal palace, flanked by his disciples Maudgalyayana and Ananda.
2.09 Shakyamuni's display
Vaidehi asks to be shown an undefiled land where she can be reborn away from the sufferings of our world. The Buddha radiates light and gathers images of innumerable worlds on a platform above his head, offering Vaidehi countless options.
2.10 Shakyamuni teaches about Sukhavati
Vaidehi wishes to be born in the best of all worlds, the Land of Bliss of the Buddha Amitayus. The Buddha offers to teach the visualization of Sukhavati and the means to attain it (represented in this vignette by a vision of Amida and his two bodhisattvas emanating from Shakyamuni).
For more on the relationship between the Buddhas Shakyamuni and Amitayus/Amitabha/Amida, see the parable of the Two Rivers and White Path.
This narrative exposition leads directly to the sequential contemplations depicted on the right edge of the painting (highlighted in green).
3.01 Contemplation of the Setting Sun
The meditations depicted on the right sight of the image, performed in sequence, allow one to construct the Land of Bliss in one's mind, generating awakening in this life or birth in Sukhavati in the next.
The first contemplation is of the setting sun, which lies in the west, the same direction as Sukhavati. Its radiance recalls the name of Amitabha, "Measureless Light."
3.02 Contemplation of the Water
After setting one's attention on the radiance to the west, the practitioner visualizes the elements and landscape of the Land of Bliss, starting with its waters.
3.03 Contemplation of the Ground
After the waters, one visualizes the ground.
3.04 Contemplation of the Trees
Many enormous trees adorn the Land of Bliss, and the jewels that cover them reflect the qualities of infinite other Buddha lands.
3.05 Contemplation of the Ponds
Ponds of fresh water ripple and produce sounds that proclaim the dharma.
3.06 Contemplation of Pavilions and Other Objects
Royal pavilions are filled with divine musicians, while further instruments suspended in the sky produce music without any player.
3.07 Contemplation of the Lotus Throne
Detailed visualization of the lotus throne serves as preparation for the visions of Amida that follow.
3.08 Contemplation of the Image of Amida
When one contemplates the Buddha, one's mind takes the form of the Buddha, allowing direct perception of the dharma and the perfected landscape of Sukhavati.
3.09 Contemplation of Amida Himself
Contemplating Amida in his full glory is to realize the mind of the Buddha in oneself.
3.10 Contemplation of Avalokiteshvara
Avalokiteshvara is Amitabha's most popular emanation, famed for intervening to improve the lives of sentient beings in this world. In this particular painting, he is depicted with small clouds holding images of beings from each of the six paths of birth (gati) of this world, indicating his ability to help all no matter their destiny.
3.11 Contemplation of Mahasthamaprapta
Mahasthamaprapta is less well-known than Avalokiteshvara but similarly impressive in appearance and ability.
3.12 Contemplation of Oneself Born in Sukhavati
While visualization of the pure land can make it present in the here and now, one also imagines being born there physically, inside a lotus, in the hope of arising there after death in this life.
3.13 Contemplation of Amida and the Two Bodhisattvas
The final contemplation of Amida and his attendants simplifies the elaborate visualizations that precede, allowing ordinary beings to imagine at least some idea of what it would be like to encounter them.
Having concluded the sequence of meditations, the Contemplation Sutra then proceeds to enumerate nine grades of birth in the Land of Bliss, which are depicted from right to left along the bottom of the painting (highlighted in purple).
4.1 Highest level, highest grade of birth
Beings are born into Sukhavati in different ways, depending on their levels of dedication and meritorious action. In the highest grade of birth, Amitayus himself arrives with all his attendants at the moment of death to personally escort the deceased to new birth in his realm. Imagery of this welcoming descent (raigo) became a popular genre of artwork in Pure Land Buddhism.
4.2 Middle level, highest grade of birth
Beings are born into Sukhavati in different ways, depending on their levels of dedication and meritorious action. At the second-highest level of birth, Amida still appears personally, but with a smaller retinue.
4.3 Lowest level, highest grade of birth
Beings are born into Sukhavati in different ways, depending on their levels of dedication and meritorious action.
4.4 Highest level, middle grade of birth
Beings are born into Sukhavati in different ways, depending on their levels of dedication and meritorious action.
4.5 Middle level, middle grade of birth
Beings are born into Sukhavati in different ways, depending on their levels of dedication and meritorious action.
4.6 Lowest level, middle grade of birth
Beings are born into Sukhavati in different ways, depending on their levels of dedication and meritorious action.
4.7 Highest level, lowest grade of birth
Beings are born into Sukhavati in different ways, depending on their levels of dedication and meritorious action.
4.8 Middle level, lowest grade of birth
Beings are born into Sukhavati in different ways, depending on their levels of dedication and meritorious action.
4.9 Lowest level, lowest grade of birth
Beings are born into Sukhavati in different ways, depending on their levels of dedication and meritorious action. Even beings who commit grave offenses may be born in Sukhavati by the power of Amida if they learn about him at the moment of their death and sincerely chant to him in homage. Such beings are not greeted by Amida directly but see a shining golden lotus at the moment of their death. Born immediately into Sukhavati, it still takes eons for their lotuses to open and give them full access to the Buddha.
5 Amida triad
The centerpiece of the painting—and of the Land of Bliss—is the presence and power of the Buddha Amida. It is the power of his bodhisattva vows and meritorious actions that purifies his world, making it a paradisical land that guarantees enlightenment even for those who simply have a few pure thoughts of him.
For more on the role of Amitabha and his land of Sukhavati as a solution to the problems of the world, see the top left corner of the wheel of existence.
5 Being born in a lotus
The central frame view of Sukhavati shows numerous beings arising on lotuses in the direct presence of Amida, in contrast to our world, where the historical Buddha Shakyamuni has been absent for some time.
5 Peacock
The birds that appear in the Land of Bliss sing the dharma and are magical apparitions of Amida's power rather than living beings. Amida guarantees the comfort and enlightenment of all sentient beings in his realm, so no naturally occurring animals appear. This differs from our world, where animals appear as a distinct form of life, visualized as a distinct segment in the wheel of existence.
5 Musical instruments
