Inner Asia: The Art of Nepal II: Newar Buddhist Art
The torana over the Amitabha shrine. Fire gilded copper repousse on a
wooden substructure. The toranas above the Buddha's shrines are in themselves
complex statements of well-being and prosperity as well as Buddhological
attainment. In the later symbolism, the Buddha Amitabha represents the
attainment of the Pratyaveksajnana jnana (examinational transcendental insight)
aspect of the Buddhist enlightenment experience.
