Lot Essay
A special form of the Buddha Dainichi (Maha-Vairocana) is seated on a lotus pedestal, surrounded by a flaming mandorla in front of a white moon-like disk. The stylized ribbons of color in his halo represent mystical emanations, while the five small Buddhas in his headdress indicate wisdom.
The rituals associated with this Buddha are among the most secret in esoteric Buddhism.
Dainichi, the primary deity of esoteric Buddhism, is shown as Ichiji Kinrin Buccho, a manifestation that symbolizes this Buddha's mystical strength. Ichiji refers to the magic Sanskrit syllable "bhrum", a mantra for the realization of the Buddha nature in this life. Kinrin, meaning golden wheel or golden circle, symbolizes the activation of the Buddha's wisdom in the form of a sun disc. Dainichi enters a meditation characterized by flame-like illumination, and is transformed into the role of universal monarch (skr.: Cakravartin) preaching the essence of esoteric Buddhism - the single syllable "bhrum". Buccho is the cranial protruberance at the top of his head, a symbol of his supernatural wisdom.
Ichiji Kinrin is thus a metaphysical deity in which the conception of a transcendental Buddha merges with that of a cosmic world ruler. The ritual for this Buddha was always considered especially secret and was restricted to the head priest of Toji, the most important Shingon or esoteric Buddhist temple in Kyoto. The icon faced west and the priest sat facing east. This Buddha had the power to influence other people, to increase wordly possessions, to prevent natural catastrophes such as floods or epidemics, to break severe cold spells and to ensure good harvests.
The form of Dainichi shown here corresponds to that in the Kongokai (Daimond) Mandala: the hands are in the "fist of wisdom" mudra (chiken-in). Ichiji Kinrin is usually shown with white clothing and white lotus pedestal, as here. The composition and style are typical for esoteric Buddhist images: forms are flattened and pressed against the surface to create an ethereal, otherworldly icon. The circular disc encompassing the deity fills nearly the entire scroll. The vases at the four corners, containers for religious essences, also help create the sense of an iconic mandala-like structure. This hieratic manifestation of the deity is ideally suited to a ritual icon that faced the officiating priest during ceremonial rituals.
The rituals associated with this Buddha are among the most secret in esoteric Buddhism.
Dainichi, the primary deity of esoteric Buddhism, is shown as Ichiji Kinrin Buccho, a manifestation that symbolizes this Buddha's mystical strength. Ichiji refers to the magic Sanskrit syllable "bhrum", a mantra for the realization of the Buddha nature in this life. Kinrin, meaning golden wheel or golden circle, symbolizes the activation of the Buddha's wisdom in the form of a sun disc. Dainichi enters a meditation characterized by flame-like illumination, and is transformed into the role of universal monarch (skr.: Cakravartin) preaching the essence of esoteric Buddhism - the single syllable "bhrum". Buccho is the cranial protruberance at the top of his head, a symbol of his supernatural wisdom.
Ichiji Kinrin is thus a metaphysical deity in which the conception of a transcendental Buddha merges with that of a cosmic world ruler. The ritual for this Buddha was always considered especially secret and was restricted to the head priest of Toji, the most important Shingon or esoteric Buddhist temple in Kyoto. The icon faced west and the priest sat facing east. This Buddha had the power to influence other people, to increase wordly possessions, to prevent natural catastrophes such as floods or epidemics, to break severe cold spells and to ensure good harvests.
The form of Dainichi shown here corresponds to that in the Kongokai (Daimond) Mandala: the hands are in the "fist of wisdom" mudra (chiken-in). Ichiji Kinrin is usually shown with white clothing and white lotus pedestal, as here. The composition and style are typical for esoteric Buddhist images: forms are flattened and pressed against the surface to create an ethereal, otherworldly icon. The circular disc encompassing the deity fills nearly the entire scroll. The vases at the four corners, containers for religious essences, also help create the sense of an iconic mandala-like structure. This hieratic manifestation of the deity is ideally suited to a ritual icon that faced the officiating priest during ceremonial rituals.