An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Repository for the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra and Eleven Volumes of the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutralate 1100s
This repository is one of a pair that once contained the scrolls of a religious text called the <em>Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra</em>. Two discs painted on the back have the sacred syllables representing the Buddha Shakyamuni and the Buddha Amida. Eight of the 16 benevolent but fierce looking deities who protect the text appear on the doors.
The mate to this object is in the Nara National Museum in Japan.
lacquered wood with ink, color, gold, cut gold, and metalwork
height: 160 cm (63 in.)
John L. Severance Fund
In a serene corner of a world steeped in spirituality, there lies a remarkable artifact, a repository crafted with care and reverence. Once, this container cradled within its embrace the revered scrolls of a sacred text known as the *Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra*. This was no ordinary object; it held the wisdom and prayers of countless souls seeking enlightenment.
As you reach out to touch its exquisite surface, you can see two discs, each adorned with intricate paintings on their backs. These vibrant images symbolize the sacred syllables emanating from two revered figures — the Buddha Shakyamuni and the Buddha Amida — guardians of wisdom and compassion, their presence felt even in their stillness.
As you wander closer, your gaze is drawn to the doors of this spiritual repository. Here, eight fierce yet benevolent deities stand watch, their faces a blend of power and grace. Each one embodies the protective spirit of the text they guard, ready to shield those who seek guidance within the scrolls’ contained wisdom. Their formidable gazes evoke a sense of strength, while their posture conveys a sense of sacred duty — a reminder that even in the pursuit of peace, vigilance is essential.
The repository stands as a silent witness to generations of seekers, artisans, and scribes, echoing the whispers of devotion and determination that have flowed through its walls. It invites you to pause, to reflect, and to connect with the rich tapestry of stories it holds, an everlasting symbol of the journey toward enlightenment.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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