The Birth of Buddhism.
Buddhism is regarded as a major world religion and a philosophy; it is based on the teachings of the Buddha, Gautama Siddhartha , a prince of the Shakyas, who lived in or around the fifth century BC. The teachings spread from their roots in India to most of Asia.
Buddhism have two factions.
Buddhism have two factions.
One is Southern route Buddhism (mainly Thailand, Sri Lanka), another one is Northern route Buddhism(Tibet, China, Korea and Japan. Active Northern route Buddhism are believed mainly in Tibet and Japan at present).
In southern route Buddhism, people have seeking for goal individually as getting an advice from priest. That’s why their important sculpture is Budda only. It’s called Sthaviravada (Theravaada, Jozabu).
On the other hand, in northern route Buddhism, people got together and established a religious body. everybody helped each other.
For that reason, Buddha had been given many role at people’s request. People believed that Buddha can transform to many figures to save people. There are many kinds of sculptures in northern route Buddhism. It’s called Mahayana
and Vajrayana (Daijo and Mikkyo).
The goal of Buddhism
The goal is understanding, awaking, and realizing to truth.
Buddha said that ‘being alive’ is same to ‘suffering’. To get rid of suffering, we have to abandon our desires. Desires are cause of sufferings.
| Buddhism sculptures and items are an object of faith as a believer. But these items are the work of art for everyone simultaneously. We are expected to increase numbers of item. We will introduce genuine items in this web site. |
We provide Japanese Buddhism item basically. So, we write Buddha’s names at Japanese pronunciation.
This table is the list of Japanese – English pronunciations.
These names are representative Buddha only.
1.Nyorai
Nyorai (tathagata) is Buddha who had spiritually awakened.
Southern route Buddhism have Shaka Nyorai (Gautama Siddhartha) only.
Northern route Buddism have some Nyorai. They have tendency to be the principal image.
Japanese name English name
Shaka Nyorai Gautama Siddhartha
Amida Nyorai Amitabha
Dainichi Nyorai Vairocana
Yakushi Nyorai Bhaisajyaguru
*…Other many Nyorai also exist in Buddhim Sutra
2.Bosatsu
Bosatsu (bodhisattva) are trainee.
They are leading us to truth as doing ascetic practices.
In Northern route Buddhism, they are an object of belief.
Japanese name English name
Kokuzo Bosatsu Akasagarbha
Seishi Bosatsu Mahasthamaprapta
Fugen Bosatsu Samantabhadra
Monju Bosatsu Manjusri
Jizou Bosatsu Ksitigarbha
Miroku Bosatsu Maitreya
Kanzeon Bosatsu (Avalokitesvara) has 33 incarnations. So, Kanzeon has many names. For example,
| Japanese name | English name |
|---|---|
| Sho Kannon | Avalokitesvara |
| Senju Kannon | Multiarmed (1000 arms) |
| Juhichimen Kannon | Ekadasamukha (11 faces) |
| Batou Kannon | Hayagriva |
| Nyoirin Kannon | Chintamanicakra |
*…Kannon is clipped form of Kanzeon
3.Myo-oh
Myo-oh (vidya-raja) is incarnation of Nyorai in vajrayana Buddhism.
They lead a obstinate person who don’t understand Buddha’s teaching to truth by force. So, their faces are getting angry. But it’s mercy from Buddha.
Japanese name English name
Fudoh Myo-Oh Acala
Dai-itoku Myo-Oh Yamaantaka
Gozanze Myo-Oh Trailokya vijaya
Kongoyasha Myo-Oh Vajrayaksa
Gundari Myo-Oh Kundali
Aizen Myo-Oh Ragaraja
Ususama Myo-Oh Ucchusma
4. Ten
Ten (deva) are old Hinduism deities originally.
Buddhism took in them to Buddhism, they became the deities that protect Buddhism.
Japanese name English name
Jikoku Ten Dhrtarastra
Zouchou Ten Viruudhaka
Koumoku Ten ViruupaakSa
Tamon Ten (Bishamon Ten) Vaisravana
Taishaku Ten Sakra
Bon Ten Brahma
Benzai Ten Saraswati
Marishi Ten Marici
Kongo Rikishi Nio (Narayana)
Kangi Ten Ganapati (Ganesha)
Ashura Asura
Dakini Ten Dakini
Kissho Ten Srii-mahadeii (Sri-mahadevi)
Kishimo Jin Hariti
Enma Daioh Yama
5. Gongen
Gongen is quite Japan origin Buddhism image. Gon means temporarily. Gen means appearance.
I mean, Gongen is Buddhism figure who appeared as Japanese Gods and goddesses temporarily (incarnation of Japanese God). That’s ancient Japanese sapience to avoid religious conflict between Shinto and Buddhism (called Honji-Suijaku thought).
This idea itself is not Japan origin. It appeared in China and India also before Japan.
These Buddhism deities who brought from other religions are called “Goho-Zenjin (Dharmapala)”.
About details, please read here.
Japanese name No English name, because these images are Japan origin.
Akiba Gongen
Iizuna Gongen
Konpira Gongen
Zaou Gongen
Kumano Gongen
Hachiman-Shin
Hie (Hiyoshi)
These are representative example.
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