Essay name: Buddhist iconography in and outside India (Study)
Author:
Purabi Gangopadhyay
Affiliation: University of Calcutta / Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture
This work aims to systematically present the development and expansion of Mahayana-Vajrayana Buddhist iconography from India to other countries, such as China, Korea, and Japan. This study includes a historical account of Indian Buddhist iconography and the integration of Brahmanical gods into the Mahayana-Vajrayana phase.
Chapter 4: Japanese Buddhist Iconography (a Comparative Study)
99 (of 101)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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183
and/has a dark face carrying a noose in the hand. She is
described as the wife of Vir奴p膩ksa who has expanded eyes,
bright face, erect hafirs, two hands and a yellow-beard.
He holds a majestic staff.
Ni峁annayoq膩val墨 describe the deity as placed in the
Nai桑rta corner there is the lord of the Raksasas (Goblins)
called Nairgti who is blue in colour and rides on a corpse.
In his two hands he holds the sword and the khetaka or stick.
In Japan the deity is known as Rasetsu or Nirichi.
The texts Son sh艒-Bucch艒-Shu-Yuga-H艒-Giki, Kong艒-Kai-Shichi-Sh奴,
Shosetsu Fud艒-ki describe the deity as holding a sword in his
hand and he is in sitting posture. His body is white with a
tinge of pink colour. His right hand held against his waist
in tight fist while his left hand is aasuming the mudr谩
called ken-in or sword gesture. He exhibits the angry look.
The Jingo-ji temple in Kyoto, Japan, represented
Rasetsu-ten as one of the Juni-ten. Here the deity stands on
a pedestal. He wears gorgeous raiments. The corner of his )
garments swirl in the wind. He holds a sword in his right
hand while in his left hand he shows a mudra. He also wears
a decorated crown. It was painted on silk. Its height is
157.3 cm x 57.9 cm.
Asura/Ashura
Another important minor god in Japan is Ashura.
1. HDIJBP, Pl.
Fig.
In
