Esoteric Buddhism (mikkyô 密教) : secret; teachings not revealed in sutras, commentaries and lectures, but in rituals in which initiates can participate as well as mantra and visualization practices

mantra:   sacred series of words and sounds, commonly chanted in many repetitions, that serves to unite the practitioner with the creative essence of the deity

Kyôto 京都 :   the capital of Heian-era Japan, located to the west of Heijo-kyô (Nara), also called Heian-kyô 平安京 or the “Capital of Tranquility” (fig. 125)

Heian era 平安時代

Early Heian 794-951                         Middle Heian 951-1086             Late Heian 108-1185

Tôji 東寺 (Kyôôgokokuji 教王護国寺 ) :   East Temple, located on the south side of Kyoto (fig. 149)

Shingon 真言 school of Buddhism: an esoteric school established by the priest Kûkai 空海 (also called Kôbô Daishi 弘法大師 , 774-835).   Above all venerates the GREAT SUN BUDDHA (Dainichi 大日如来 ).   TÔJI IS A SHINGON TEMPLE .

Images at Tôji:

Two-dimensional painted mandala (J:   mandara)

Mandala (mandara 曼荼羅図):   a diagram of the spiritual universe.

•  Diamond World Mandala (Kongôkai 金剛界).   Late 9 th century.   Hanging scroll, color on silk; 72 x 61 in. (fig. 153) DEPICTS THE MANY BUDDHA COURTS THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE

•  Womb World Mandala (Taizôkai 胎蔵界).   Late 9 th century. Hanging scroll, color on silk; 72 x 61 in. (fig. 152) DEPICTS THE GREAT SUN BUDDHA (DAINICHI)

Vajra:   Literally “diamond.”   Symbol of the indestructible universe, a ritual implement which has a shape derived from a Hindu god's lightning-bolt weapon (fig. 148)

Three-dimensional sculptural mandala:

Lecture Hall (kôdô 講堂) altar (fig. 156)

•  At the center is the GREAT SUN BUDDHA (Dainichi)

•  To the left is an altar on which the FIVE HEAVENLY KINGS are displayed.   Fudô Myôô 不動明王 .   C. 839. Made of one block of wood, painted H:   68 in. the “Unmovable One.”   Fudô means “unmovable.”   Myôô means “Bright King.”   A fierce guardian of Buddhism. (fig. 158)

•  To the right is an altar on which the FIVE POWER BODHISATTVAS are displayed.   Bodhisattva Kongôho 金剛「」菩薩 .   Early 9 th century.   Wood, lacquer, gold leaf; H: 38 in. (fig. 159)