ink and color on silk, portraying a terrace with Amitabha on the highest level, surrounded by other Buddhas and flanked by Mahasthamaprapta and Avalokiteshvara, with the Seven Buddhas of the Past emanating from their heads between flying apsaras, on the next level a devotee pays homage to Amitabha with dancers, musicians and mythical birds behind him, surrounded by more deities, all above a fountain in a lake surrounded by the faithful being reborn from lotus blossoms in the pure land and flanked by dragon boats filled with Buddhas, bodhisattvas and musicians,

There is overall wear and fading. There are numerous horizontal creases with resultant pigment loss, scattered flaking, and lifting to the silk. There are small areas of overpainting most noticeably to the central Buddha's chest and robe and to the attendant Buddhas' hair. There is a 4 in. (10.2 cm) tear to the right of the fountain.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In the Pure Land School of Buddhism, it is believed that those with sufficient merit will be reborn in the Pure Land, a realm generated by the pure thoughts of Amitabha. The Pure Land is a only stepping stone, as living in the secular world, it is not possible to fully embrace the dharma and enter nirvana.  Being reborn in the Pure Land devotees will find an environment where they can wholly embrace the dharma, and finally enter nirvana with no more rebirths.

Pure Land teachings first entered China around 150 AD, and by the Song dynasty had become part of the popular imagination as evidenced by rock carvings in Dazu at Baodinshan in Sichuan, which feature a vignette of the faithful being reborn from lotus blossoms, as in the present lot.

It is possible that this painting was a commission, and the devotee who commissioned it is the figure portrayed kneeling before Amitabha.