Amitabha Buddha, aka the Buddha of Infinite Light, maintains a paryaṅka on the double-layered lotus seat, with both hands making meditation gestures. The seat is carved in intaglio with Six Characters “Da Ming Xuan De Nian Shi (Made in the Reign of Emperor Xuande of Ming Dynasty)” in regular script. Obviously, this is a magnum opus of the court statue-making in that reign. (Yang Hongjiao)