CHINA: AE charm (60.98g), 55mm, Chinese Buddhist temple amulet, nan wu a mi tuo fo (I put my trust in Amida Buddha), Fine, ex Charles Opitz Collection. "A mi tuo fo", sometimes pronounced "e mi tuo fo", is the Chinese pronunciation for the Sanskrit name of the Amitabha Buddha (Amida Buddha). The "a mi tuo" is the transliteration of the Sanskrit word "Amida" which means "boundless." "Fo" is the Chinese word for "Buddha". Amitabha is the name of a specific Buddha known as the Buddha of Infinite Light. He vowed to forgo nirvana until all beings were able to join him. In Chinese, "a mi tuo fo" therefore means the "boundless" or "immeasurable" Buddha. This is a reference to Pure Land Buddhism where the Buddha is "immeasurably" bright, everlasting and immeasurably "pure". Over time, however, the expression "a mi tuo fo" gradually evolved into a very common blessing and greeting meaning "may Buddha protect", "may Buddha preserve us" and "take refuge in the Buddha". Unpublished in the Classic Chinese Charm volumes and in Cast Chinese Amulets by Hartill.
Estimate: $100 - $150