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...
Images of Ashura (Asura) in Japan
Another important minor god in Japan is Ashura. 1. HDIJBP, Pl. Fig. In
184 Indian Buddhism also different stories are told by the Buddhist monks regarding Asura. Later on he is regarded as the protector of Buddhist faith.. In Japan Ashura is regarded as one of the eight Hachi-bu-shu (eight classes of demi-gods or supernatural being who protects Buddhism)". 2 One of the representations of Ashura as Hachi-bushu is preserved in the Kofuku-ji in Nara. This image is childlike in appearance, It is six handed and he is standing on a rock pedestal. It is made of dry-lacquer (Pl.XXX, Fig.2). 1