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The third category of the iconographic classification is called Bosatsu-bu. The figure in this group are of Badhisattva. In this group Maitreya, Manjusri, Samantabhadra, Akasagarbha, Ksitigarbha, Suryaprabha, Candraprabha Vaisajyaraja and others are included. They are called Miroku Basateu (Maitreya), Manju Basatsu (Manjusri), Kokuzo-Bosatsu (Akasagarbha), Jizo Bosatsu (Ksitiqarbha). Nikko Bosatsu (Suryaprabha), Gakko Bosatsu (Candraprabha), Yakujo-Bosatsu (Baisajyaraja), Fugen Bosatsu (Samantabhadra) respectively in Japanese. Bodhisattva is considered to be the Enlightened Being, who has reached almost the state of perfection, but yet to attain complete perfection. The forms of the Bodhisattva images are given according to the features of prince Siddhartha prior to his attainment of Buddhahood. That is why the images of Bodhisattvas are decorated with princely garments, crowns, various ornaments, such as, neckleces, bracelets, ear-rings, etc. and other jewellery. Bodhisattva images can be seen either as a individual deity or as the attendants of the Buddha.

109 Among the Bodhisattva figures an exception is found in the case of Maitreya. The Maitreya figures are not seen. decorated with princely robes or ornaments etc. Bodhisattva Maitreya is described in the Indian Buddhist iconographic text Sadhanamala¹ wherein he is said to be waiting in the Tusita heaven in order to come down to the earth as the future Buddha. Similar descriptions can also be found in several places of the Nispannayoqavali². In the Sadhanamala Maitreya is described as yellow in colour and as having the Naga flower in one of his hands and depicting Varadamudra in his other hand, A beautiful piece of sculpture is seen seated on a decorated pedestal. It is regarded as one of the national treasures of Japan. This image belongs to the Early Heian period (9th century). The height of the image is 88.2 c.m. The decoration of the whole pedestal is very attractive. The deity sits in ardhaparyanka attitude holding the right leg pendant and rests upon the pedestal. He wears no ornaments except a pair of elongated ear-rings. The whole composition is very beautiful.