Origins of the Yuzu Nenbutsu Sect 融通念仏縁起

Object Details

• Label

  This scroll depicts the life of the monk Ryonin (1072-1132), founder of the Yuzu Nembutsu sect of Japanese Buddhism. Ryonin taught that rebirth in the Western Paradise of the Buddha of Infinite Light, who is known in Japanese as Amida, could be attained by repeatedly the chanting of Amida's name. Followers of the Yuzu Nembutsu believed that the chanting of Amida's name by one individual could be efficacious for all sentient beings.

  This section of the handscroll depicts the scene of Ryonin's death. As grieving followers mourn over Ryonin's folded robe, a retinue of heavenly beings descends to receive the master's soul and to transport it to the Western Paradise on a lotus blossom.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Japanese Art from the Collection (October 26, 2024 - ongoing)

  Religious Art of Japan (December 18, 2002 to January 4, 2015)

  Japanese Art, Galleries 3, 4, and 5 (January 1, 1963 to September 16, 1970)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1300s

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Kamakura period (1185 - 1333), Art, Japanese Art, Makimono

• Culture

  Buddhists, Japanese

• Object Type

  Paintings