Iconographic Drawing of Bodhisattvas from Vajradhatu Mandala (Translation)
金剛界曼荼羅菩薩像断簡 鎌倉時代 紙本水墨 (Primary Title)
Four Bosatsu: Kongozo, Chishaku, Monju and Gekko (Former Title)
hanging scroll (Object Name)
Unknown (Artist)
The four Bosatsus (Bodhisattvas) in this drawing are the principal deities recorded in the Vajrasekhara Sutra, an Esoteric Buddhist doctrine introduced from China to Japan by Kukai (774-835), the founder of Shingon School of Esoteric Buddhism. As illustrated in the Diamond World Mandala, each bosatsu, namely Gakko, Monju, Chishaku, and Kongo, wears an elaborate crown and holds his respective tribute, such as the moon, a sutra, floral cloud, and vajra. The deities’ names and implements are inscribed in both Japanese and Sanskrit for use in worship and teaching.
Shingon Esoteric Buddhism 真言密宗
Kamakura period (1185-1333)
Unsigned
None
Exoteric names and esoteric names of four deities, from right to left: 月光菩薩密号清凉金剛，文殊師利菩薩密号方便金剛， 智積菩薩密号, 金剛藏菩薩密号持教金剛立驗金剛 (Also included are deities' simplified sanskrit names (種子 bījākṣara), and attributes (三昧耶形 samaya).
Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Fund
"Japanese Art from the Virginia Museum," Delaware Art Musuem, September 23, 1982 - October 31, 1982
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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