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Handbook on Viewing Buddhist Statues
A totally wonderful
book by Ishii Ayako.
Some images
at this site were
scanned from this
book; Japanese
language only;
192 pages;
80+ color photos
Click here to
buy book at Amazon
SANSKRIT IMAGES
With Permission
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Shaka Nyorai
Wooden statue
Kamakura Era
Gokuraku-ji
Right hand in "Fear Not" Mudra; left in Blessing Mudra; see Mudra for details
For a brief list
of his teachings,
click here
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Shaka Nyorai
Historical Buddha, Enlightened One
Shaka, Shakyamuni, Sakyamuni
Gautama Buddha, Prince Siddhartha
Founder, Theravada (Hinayana) Buddhism
Lord of Shumisen (Mt. Shumi)
Last Update Jan. 14, 2005 = Added Footprints
Sanskrit Seed Sound - Baku
SHAKA NYORAI
AND THE ORIGINS OF BUDDHISM
Buddhism originated in Northern India, or present-day Nepal. It was here that the historical Buddha, known as Prince Siddhartha (later Gautama Buddha), was born and lived in the sixth century BC. In China, his contemporaries were Confucius and Lao-tzu (the founder and "old boy" of Chinese Taoism), and slightly later in the West comes Plato (approximately 427 - 347 BC).
When Buddhism arrived in Japan in the 6th and 7th centuries AD via Korea and China, Siddhartha became known in Japan as the "Shaka" or as "Sakyamuni," which means "Sage of the Shaka Clan" (his actual birth clan).
In Japan, Shaka Nyorai is venerated widely among most Buddhist sects, with the exception of the Jodo Shinshu Sect (the Pure Land Sect, which revers Amida Nyorai), and certain branches of the Tendai and Shingon schools. The latter sects are devoted to Dainichi Nyorai.
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Footprint of Buddha, Pakistan
2nd - 3rd centuries A.D.
Photo courtesy:
miho.or.jp/english/
This Buddha footprint (from the Archaeological Museum, Swat, Pakistan) is thought to be the one mentioned in the travel records of the Chinese monks Faxien and Xuanzang, who made their pilgrimages in the 5th and 7th centuries respectively. Such footprints typically show the Swastika symbol on each toe. Click here for details.
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EARLY BUDDHIST ART
For four centuries after Gautama's death, legends and facts about the historical Buddha, his dialogues and his sayings, were preserved only in the memories of monks and followers. There were no written records or artistic representations. Like the Hindu Brahmins, the early Buddhists believed that religious knowledge was too sacred to be written down, too sacred to be etched in stone or wood. (Editor's Note: Even today, most Japanese temples and museums don't allow visitors to take photos of the Buddha images). In those early years, when overt representations of the Buddha image were taboo, the main artistic vehicle for symbolizing the Buddha's presence was to show the Buddha's "footprint." These footprints of early Buddhist artwork can be found throughout Asia, often in narrative reliefs depicting key episodes in the Buddha's life, and thereby indicating his personal presence.
These footprints are often engraved with various Buddhist symbols (Click here for many more details about this topic). One of the most frequently used symbols in early Buddhism was the Svastikah -- which many centuries later is unfortunately misused as the symbol of Nazi Germany (Swastika).
 The German term Swastika comes from the Sanskrit word Svastikah, meaning "to be fortunate." The word stem SVASTI can be divided into SU (SV), meaning "good or well," and ASTI (ASTIKAH), meaning "is" or "being." In modern India, the word means "auspicious."
Identifying Shaka Sculptures
Statues of Shaka Nyorai and other Nyorai (Buddha) share common attributes. These include elongated ears (all-hearing), a bump atop the head (Skt. usnisa, all-knowing, bump of knowledge), and a boss in the forehead (Skt. urna, third eye, all-seeing).
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Kamakura Period, Photo courtesy Nara National Museum
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Among the many sculptural depictions of the various Nyorai (Buddha), some rules of thumb can help you to identify the historical Buddha. First, the Shaka Nyorai nearly always wears a simple monk's robe, and is seated or standing on a lotus flower. This isn't enough to identify the statue as Shaka, however, as the same guideline applies to most Nyorai (those who have attained Buddhahood). The Nyorai are typically portrayed wearing simple clothing, without accessories, jewelry, or weapons.
A second way to identify Nyorai statues is to look at the positioning of the hands. Two of the most common hand gestures of Shaka Nyorai are the "Fear Not" Mudra (right hand held up) and "Blessing Mudra" (left hand pointing downward). Another common mudra portrays Shaka Nyorai with his left palm up and fingers outstretched (except the middle two, which may be curled in slightly to beckon people toward salvation), while the right hand is often, although not always, shown with the thumb held between the other four fingers (holding tightly to those who seek salvation).
A knowledge of these hand gestures -- called "mudra" in Sanskrit -- can help you identify and distinguish among the various Nyorai. The five most widely known mudras, moreover, correspond to five defining episodes in the life of the Historical Buddha (see Mudra page for details).
Jo-roku | 丈六 | じょうろく
One jo and six shaku (about 4.8 meters)
Jo-roku (or joroku) is equivalent to roughly 4.8 meters. Many "standing" sculptures in the early years of Japanese Buddhism are made to this specification. Jo is a unit of length, about three meters, and Roku means "six," and this refers to six shaku (shaku is another Japanese unit of length, about 0.30 meters). Thus, Jo-roku is equivalent to roughly 4.8 meters. According to Japanese legend, the Historical Buddha was actually that tall.
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Kamakura Era
Gokuraku-ji Treasure
Life-size Wooden
Statue of Shaka
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Historical Notes
In mainland Asia, less so in Japan, the Shaka Nyorai is pictured seated on a lotus with four petals, representing the four great countries of Asia (India, China, Central Asia, and Iran) during the early centuries of Buddhism's introduction. The lotus is a symbol of purity. Although a beautiful flower, the lotus grows out of the mud at the bottom of a pond. The Buddha is an enlightened being who "grew" out of the "mud" of the material world. Like the lotus, the Buddha is beautiful and pure even though he existed in the material world.
Buddhism developed in India in the sixth century BC and gradually spread throughout Asia. However, it wasn't until the Asuka Period (522-645 AD) that Buddhism arrived in Japan via Korea and China. Most of Japan's earliest Buddhist sculpture and artwork were imported from mainland Asia, or made by Chinese and Korean artisans living in Japan. These old sculptures look almost exactly the same as their Chinese and Korean counterparts -- one defining characteristic of these early sculptures is the "skinniness" or non-human-ness of the statues (see two photos below of Shaka Trinity).
Mantra for Shaka Nyorai
Shakya wooden statue
Treasure of Seiryuji, Baisong Era, AD 960 to 1126
Photo Courtesy of:
 
Black Shaka Nyorai with Headdress
Jufuku-ji -- Zen Temple in Kamakura
This is unusual, as Shaka statues are typically unadorned
Statues of the Nyorai are not typically shown with accessories (e.g. crown, jewelry). But in some Zen temples (such as Jufukuji and Kenchoji and Shuzenji in Kamakura), Nyorai statues wear a crown atop the head. Zen Buddhism worships the Historical Buddha as well as the Birushana Nyorai -- the latter is often portrayed with a crown, and the Historical Buddha is sometimes shown as a manifestation of Birushana. Not sure why it is black though. Since Zen worships the Kegon-kyo (Garland sutra), the answer may lie there.
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Shaka Nyorai
Hase Dera, Date Unknown
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Hinayana and
Mahayana Buddhism
Lesser Vehicle and
Greater Vehicle
Why are there
so many Buddhas ?
The teachings of the historical Buddha are known as Hinayana Buddhism, or "the Lesser Vehicle," and are based on the original teachings of Guatama Siddhartha. He believed that all life was suffering, and that suffering was caused by desire. He sought, through meditation, to attain a state known as Nirvana, in which he would be free of desire and therefore suffering.
The form of Buddhism that came to Japan in the Asuka Period, however, was known as Mahayana Buddhism, "the Greater Vehicle" in English and "Daijo Bukkyo" in Japanese. Unlike Hinayana Buddhism, which was limited to a small "select" group of followers who sacrificed all to pursue its harsh monastic regimen as monks, Mahayana Buddhism aimed to bring salvation to the common people. In Mahayana Buddhism -- unlike Hinayana -- each and every living person can attain Buddhahood, and the historical Buddha, Shaka Nyorai, is just one of many enlightened beings. Therefore, in Japanese temples, you will find images of many other Buddha and Bodhisattva. For many more details on Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism, please click here.
The famous "Shaka Trinity" at Horyuji in Nara -- 632 AD
Surrounded by attendants Monju Bosatsu and Fugen Bosatsu
Early images of the Buddha appear skinny
and almost Negroid in appearance
Closeup of above photo's background frame
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QUICK GUIDE
The Life and Teachings of the Historical Buddha
In China, his contemporaries were Confucius and Lao-tzu (the founder and "old boy" of Chinese Taoism) -- only slightly later in the West comes Plato (427? - 347 BC).
You'll need to install the Japanese font set to your browser if you want to read the below Japanese characters.
Birth (561? to approx. 483 BC) --------------------------
Like the emaculate conception of Jesus Christ, the birth of the Historical Buddha was not ordinary. According to legend, he was born from his mother's side, which emitted a seven-colored light that brought forth the infant. Legend also states that the child immediately stood up, with his right hand raised toward heaven and his left pointing to earth, took seven steps forward and declared: "In heaven and on earth, I alone am honored." He was named Siddhartha, and since his father's surname was Gautama, he was called Gautama Siddhartha. His mother died soon after giving birth.
Early Life -------------------------
At his father's urging, Siddhartha married princess Yasodhara, who bore him a son named Rahula. Despite a life of ease -- his father provided him with three palaces, one each for the rainy season, the dry season, and the winter -- Siddhartha left his royal estates when he was only 29 years old. Prior to leaving, he showed unusual sensitivity and concern for the problems of human existance. During his trips outside the palace walls, he witnessed and contemplated the fundamental human sufferings of aging, sickness, and death. He also witnessed an ascetic who seemed oblivious to suffering, and from this sprang Siddhartha's quest to leave the palace, withdraw from the world, and search for truth as an ascetic.
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Ascetics Near Starvation
Horyuji Temple, 711 AD
North Side, Tohonshimengu
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Ascetic Life ---------
For six years Siddhartha practiced severe austerities -- one legend says he ate only a single grain of rice a day, while others say he ate only a single sesame seed each day. Many artistic representations of Siddhartha's ascetic years show him wasted to skin and bones. But he came to realize that self-mortification (and its opposite, the life of ease and indulgence) was not the answer. So he ended his days as an ascetic, came down from the mountains to cleanse himself in the Nairanjana River, and then sat under a bodhi (bo) tree to meditate. For seven days he meditated, during which time he was attacked and tempted by evil spirits who hoped to break his meditation. On the seventh day, at the age of 35, Siddhartha attained Buddhahood. In Japan, December 8th is celebrated as the day of Siddhartha's enlightment.
Bodhi (Bo) Tree | 菩提樹 | ぼだいじゅ
Originally called the "pippala" tree in ancient India, and believed to possess spiritual powers; the Historical Buddha awoke to enlightenment while sitting under the tree, so it has since been called the Bodhi tree. The Sanskrit "Bodhi" means enlighenment, and in Japan, the term was tranliterated as "Bodai." In Japan, the term "Bodai" is synonymous with "satori" -- both terms mean enlightenment.
 The Teacher and His Disciples
Legend contends that the Lord Buddha or Sakyamuni in Sanskrit (he is no longer called Siddhartha after reaching Buddhahood) decided to keep his achievement and teachings to himself, for others would not believe or comprehend. But his mind was changed by the appearance before him of Brahman (the chief Hindu god), who urged him to preach what he had learned and help others along the same path. From that point on, until his death at age 80, the Buddha preached without interval. The Chinese transliterated Sakyamuni as Shakamuni, but this was later shortened to Shaka in both China and Japan. "Shaka" is another word for the Historical Buddha, for as a human, he was born into the Sakya (Shaka) clan, a tribe that ruled a small state that today is located in Tarai (Nepal) near the border with India.
His companion ascetics were the first to become his disciples, and soon afterwards they too attained enlightenment -- in Sanskrit they are known as the Arhats (see above photo; click here for details on the Arhat), an Indian word meaning "one who is worthy of receiving obeisance." Arhatship is the main goal of all who practice Theravada Buddhism. 
The most famous of the early disciples are called the "Ten Great Disciples," and they play a major role in Buddhism's early development.
Above: 734AD, Kofukuji (L) Ragora (M) Subodai (R) Furuna
Below: 734AD, Kofukuji, (L) Kasen-en (M) Mokukenren (R) Sharihotsu
Death -------------------------
By tradition, the date of the Historical Buddha's death is February 15. In Japan, a Buddhist service called Nehan'e is performed each year on this day. According to legend, the Buddha's death was attended by gods, celestial maidens, people, and animals -- even the plants gave homage. The story of the Buddha's last moments are recorded in great detail in the sutra known as The Sutra of the Great Extinction (Pali language), in which the Buddha declares that he has taught all, withholding nothing, for he has no intention to exercise control by means of secret doctrines. Near his death he said: "Make the self your light, make the Law your light."
Death of Buddha, 1086 AD, Byodoin
The Essential Teachings -------------------------
In Buddhist philosophy, believers can themselves attain Buddhahood. This is significantly different from Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In the latter, believers cannot attain the same status as their god. They are encouraged to learn the teachings and become "godlike," but they do not strive to become gods themselves. This, however, is the main goal of Buddhist practice -- to attain Buddhahood through good works, right thinking, and right action.
Both modern-day Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism are based largely on the same set of teachings (see below) from the Historical Buddha. For more on these two schools of Buddhism, please click here.
Turning of the Wheel of Dharma (Law)
Gautama Buddha is the seventh Buddha in this World Cycle (tradition proclaims that six other Buddha preceded him). By tradition, his teachings are divided into three main categories, referred to as the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma, the Second Turning, and the Third Turning.
- First Turning. At Deer Park, Sarnath, Gautama revealed the truth of suffering (Skt: Samsara) and liberation (Skt: Nirvana), known as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path; the basis of Theravada Buddhism (Hinayana or Lesser Vehicle).
- Second Turning. Teaches the truth of emptiness (Skt. Sunyata) and the doctrine of the Boddhisattvas - those who aspire to enlightenment by means of compassion (Skt: Karuna); the basis of Mahayana Buddhism (Greater Vehicle).
- Third Turning. Teachings of absolute and relative truths and the Tathagatagharba, the enlightenment nature inherent in all beings; the basis of Vajrayana Buddhism (Diamond Vehicle).
Tripitaka (The Three Baskets)
三蔵 (律・経・論)
After the Historical Buddha's death, a great council gathered together his teachings into what is called the Tripitaka (The Three Baskets). But nothing was actually written down until a few centuries later:
- Vinaya, codes of conduct, mostly for monks and nuns
- Sutras, the discourses on meditation, although these were not written down until centuries later
- Abhidharma, logical and scientific commentaries on human perception written by followers over then next thousand years
The Four Noble Truths
四諦 | したい | Shitai
- Life is suffering (苦諦 | くたい | Kutai)
- Suffering has cause (集諦 | じったい | Jittai)
- Eliminate cause and thereby eliminate suffering (滅諦 | めったい | Mettai)
- Learn and pursue the Eightfold Path (道諦 | どうたい | Dotai)
The Eightfold Path
八正道 | はっしょうどう | Hasshu-do
- Right View (正見 | しょうけん | Shoken)
- Right Resolve (正思惟 | しょうしゆい | Shoshiyui; or Right Thinking)
- Right Speech (正話 | しょうご | Shogo)
- Right Action (正業 | しょうごう | Shogou)
- Right Living (正命 | しょうみょう | Shomyo; or Right Occupation)
- Right Effort (正精進 | しょうしょうじん | Shoshojin)
- Right Mindfulness (正念 | しょうねん | Shonen; or Right Memory)
- Right Concentration (正定 | しょうじょう | Shojyo; or Right Meditation)
The Twelve Causes of Suffering
十二因縁 | じゅうにいんねん | Jyuni In Nen
- Ignorance (無明 | むみょう | Mumyo), the fundamental cause of suffering
- Activity based on Ignorance (行 | ぎょう | Gyo)
- Mistaken conciousness based on actions arising from ignorance (識 | しき | Shiki)
- Objects of Consciousness (名色 | みょうしき | Myoshiki); both material objects and the organs of sense
- Six Entrances (六入 | ろくにゅう | Rokunyu); refers to the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind -- the six sense organs -- by which we encounter the objects of consciousness
- Contact with External Objects (触 | しょく | Shoku); refers to our reception of the objects of consciousness via our six entrances
- Sensation (受 | じゅ | Jyu); that which occurs from contact with external objects
- Desire for Pleasure and Hatred (愛 | あい | Ai); the human penchant for either desiring or detesting the object of sensation
- Clinging (取 | しゅ | Shu); positive or negative attachment to what one desires or detests
- State of Transmigration (有 | う | U); our level of attachment reflects our location within the "six realms of existence"
- Birth (生 | しょう | Sho); our rebirth within the six realms reflects cause and effect
- Old Age and Death (老死 | ろうし | Roshi); the law of causation means that humans must grow old and die (we will experience suffering until we can overcome our ignorance -- the first of the Twelve Causes and the fundamental cause of suffering)
Take the Middle Path
中道 | ちゅうどう | Chu-do
Enlightenment cannot be achieved by practicing either austerity or pleasure. The road to enlightenment is the middle path.
The Four Sufferings, The Eight Sufferings
四苦 | しく | Shiku and 八苦 | はっく
Gautama Buddha believed that all life was suffering, and that suffering was caused by desire. He sought, through meditation, to attain a state known as Nirvana, in which one is free of desire and therefore suffering. Suffering is caused by human weakness -- desire, lust, pride, anger, greed and a host of other foibles. The philosophical foundations of Buddhism proclaim that all worldly phenomena is unsatisfactory, transient and impermanent; there is nothing one can call one's own; the world is an illusion; and our suffering is caused by our clinging to the world of illusion (the world of desire). There are four basic sufferings, to which four more were added in later times:
- Birth
- Old Age
- Illness
- Death
- Parting from those one loves
- Having to meet those one hates
- Not being able to have what one desires
- Clinging to the five aggregates (sufferings of the mind and body)
Note: In Japanese, this grouping of four and eight gave rise to the Japanese expression "Shiku Hakku," which means "agony and distress."
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BELOW TEST COURTESY
http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/glossary1.html
This site is well worth a visit; provides many targeted links.
The life of Buddha began to be represented in art sometime before 100 AD. The major episodes are: Dream of Maya (conception); Birth; Four Sights (of human suffering); Great Departure (leaving home); Temptation of Mara; Enlightenment; First Sermon; Parinirvana (death of the Buddha).
Buddha was a contemporary of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, and there are many intriguing parallels between the two religions.
Hinayana ("Lesser Vehicle") Buddhism emphasized the difficulty of attaining salvation, and advocated meditation and the monastic life as the means to salvation for a chosen few. This view was challenged by the Mahayana ("Greater Vehicle") school, who proclaimed the existence of numerous Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as universal saviors.
Buddhism died out in India around 1200 AD, succumbing to Muslim invasions as well as a resurgent Hinduism. However, by this time the religion had spread via the trade routes to east and southeast Asia, where it took root and has flourished up to the present day.
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Mythical Home of Shaka Nyorai
Mt. Shumisen (Mt. Sumeru, Mt. Meru) is the mythical home of Shakya Nyorai (the historical Buddha). According to Buddhist lore, Mt. Sumeru is located at the center of the world, surrounded by eight mountain ranges, and in the ocean between the 7th and 8th there are four continents inhabited by humans. These four continents are protected by the Shitenno, with each leading an army of supernatural creatures to keep the fighting demons (Ashuras) at bay. On the top of Mt. Sumeru is the heavenly palace of Shakya Nyorai, and the abode of the Trayastrimsha (33 Gods) ruled by Taishakuten.
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Transmigration of Souls & Reincarnation
The Six States of Existence
Buddhist teachings incorporate countless manifestations of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. To Buddhists, the transmigration of souls from one creature to another has continued unabated for aeons. Those reaching full enlightenment are few, for the path to awakening is long and arduous. But the path is not closed, and in any period, one or more -- or none at all -- may appear. It is said that Gautama (Siddhartha, Shaka, the historical Buddha) did not attain enlightenment in one life time, but rather struggled over many lifes and through numerous incarnations to finally become a Bodhi-being. In some Buddhist traditions, the term Bodhisattva actually refers to Guatama Buddha prior to his enlightenment -- including the countless lives he passed through en route to Buddhahood. These earlier lives are called the Jatakas (birth stories), and they are a very frequent subject of Buddhist lore and art.
There are six states of existence before one reaches Buddhahood. The lowest three states are called the three evil paths, or three bad states. They are (1) people in hells; (2) hungry ghosts; (3) animals. The highest three states are (4) Asuras; (5) Humans; (6) Devas. All beings in these six states are doomed to death and rebirth in a recurring cycle over countless ages -- unless they can break free from desire and attain enlightenment. Click here for Japanese spellings of the six states.
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LEARN MORE
- Nara National Museum
www.narahaku.go.jp/index_e.html
www.narahaku.go.jp/meihin/cyokoku/cyo_fra.html
- Kyoto National Museum
www.kyohaku.go.jp/meihin/mhind3e.htm
- Identifying Buddhist Images in Japan
www.kyohaku.go.jp/meihin/chokoku/mh35e.htm
- Buddhist Sculpture - A Beginner's Guide by Ed Jacobs
www3.tky.3web.ne.jp/~edjacob/sculpture.html
- www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/glossary1.html
- www.antiquezen.com/sculpture.html
- www.rootinstitute.f9.co.uk/rootinstitute/buddhism/buddha-life.html
- www.kagyuoffice.org/buddhism.lifeofthebuddha.html
- http://hjem.get2net.dk/civet-cat/poetry-stories/jataka1.htm
The Jatakas, or Birth Stories. Well known stories of Shaka Buddha in his prior lives, before he became a Buddha.
- Diagram of Mt. Sumeru
The Buddhist Realm (Japanese language only)
www.tctv.ne.jp/tobifudo/HandS/tango/3000sekai/3senseksai.html
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