4. Buddhism in the Asuka and Hakuhô Eras: Horyûji

Origins, terms and tenets of Mahayana Buddhism:

Shakyamuni (Shaka 釈迦).  An honorific name for the historical   Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, who was a member of the Sakya clan in India

Buddha (butsu 仏):   enlightened being

karma:   moral actions which result in positive consequences.   It is because of previous wrong actions that misfortunes befall a person.

reincarnation:   cycle of rebirth

nirvana:   state or realm of perfect enlightenment; beyond all suffering and limitation; the goal of spiritual practice in Buddhism. Some schools consider it a separate realm, while in other traditions it is understood as the union of transcendent wisdom with the world of joy, desire, and pain

dharma: the Sanskrit term for the teachings or “law” of Shakyamuni Buddha and by extension the Buddhist faith and community in general

sutras (-kyô 経)  Buddhist holy texts

Bodhisattva (bosatsu 菩薩): an enlightened potential Buddha, devoted to the spiritual progress of others.   Kannon Bosatsu 観音菩薩 (Avalokitesvara), the Bodhisattva of Compassion,   is one of the most prominent.   Bodhisattvas may be distinguished by their dress--skirts and long scarves, crowns, necklaces and arm bracelets.

Iconography:

mudra (insô 印相):   symbolic hand gestures

abaya mudra “fear not,” meaning of protection, benevolence, and peace, right hand held up with palm facing out, left hand down with palm out (see Mason, fig. 84, 85, 86)

dhyana mudra, meditation gesture, hands in lap (see Mason, fig. 119, 173)

vitarka mudra, “teaching” mudra, hands in “okay” position, right up and left down (see Mason, fig. 98, 102, 123, 166)

dharma chakra mudra, also “preaching” mudra, hands in okay position, both hands held to chest (see Mason, fig. 72)

unisa: lump on skull symbolizing spiritual power

urna:   so-called “second eye,” representing insight

Horyûji (Temple of the Exhalted Law), Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture (fig. 68-73)

•  temple寺: Japanese Buddhist temples (ji ; dera ; tera) range from modest single buildings to great monastery complexes; major temples, both urban and rural, contain numerous buildings within an enclosure.

•  kondô   金堂 Golden hall, main worship hall, houses images covered in gilt, 7th century (fig. 69-70)

•  pagoda 塔 5-storied, 7th century (fig. 72)

compare with stupa, a Buddhist memorial monument in India containing relics of the Buddha or of a holy sage. Traditional shape in India is like an egg (womb) on a circular base (fig. 71)

Sculpture and paintings in Horyûji ( see kondô altar, fig. 93)

Niô 仁王 guardians of Buddhism and its adherents. In the Middle Gate (chûmon 中門).   711.

Tori Busshi. Shaka Triad. In the kondo. 623.   Gilt bronze; H: 46 in. (fig. 86)

            compare with Chinese sculpture dating to the Northern Wei dynasty (fig. 87)

Shitennô Guardians of the Four Quarters. c. 650   Wood, paint and gold leaf; H: 52 7/8 in. (see Tamonten, Mason, fig. 94).

Amida Triad (Amida sanzon zô 阿弥陀三尊像).   Wall painting in kondô. c. 710. (fig. 101)

Tableau of the Death of Shaka, north side of pagoda. 711. Clay over wood and metal. (fig. 99).

Tableau of the Yuima-Monju Debate, east side of pagoda. 711. Clay over wood and metal (fig. 100)