Buddhist iconography in and outside India (Study)
by Purabi Gangopadhyay | 2016 | 47,446 words
This essay represents a a comparative study of Buddhist iconography in and outside India, focusing on regions such as China, Korea, and Japan. The study is divided into four chapters, covering: 1. The emergence of Buddhism in India and its spread to other countries; 2. A historical account of Indian Buddhist iconography and the integration of Brahm...
Amitabha (Amida) in Japan
The Amida Figures can be seen principally with nine mudras. According to the mudras, Amitabha images are classified into three groups. The figures in meditation are known as Jo-in-so. The three kinds of meditation symbols are formed by placing the two palms on the lap of the figure, while the fingers form a circle in three different ways, such as (a) by touching the index fingers with the thumbs, (b) by touching the middle fingers with the thumbs and (c) by touching the ring fingers with the thumbs. The Preaching figures are known as Seppo-in-so . Seppo-in mudra is formed (a) by touching the index fingers with the thumbs, (b) by touching the middle fingers with the thumbs and (c) by touching the ring fingers with the thumbs. *Coming to welcome' figures are known as Raigo-in-so. In this Raigo-in attitude the hand gestures are formed : 1 (a) by touching the index fingerswith the thumbs (b) by touching the middle fingers with the thumbs and (c) by touching the ring fingers with the thumbs. It is said that the souls are of nine-grades, The above
98 nine kinds of hand gestures are connected with the nine grades of souls who are to be welcomed by Amida. Nevertheless, the hand-symbols of Amida are found to be different in various other images. As for example, the Amida figure known as Giogo-Shii-Amida installed in the Todai-ji temple in Nara, in seated posture depicts Namaskaramudra with two hand folded together. Two important illustrations are given here in this connection :