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Last Update = Oct. 24, 2006
Amida & Senju Kannon Share Same Seed Syllable


EIGHT BUDDHIST PROTECTORS
OF THE 12 ASTROLOGICAL ANIMALS

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on 12 ZODIAC ANIMALS

Eight Protectors in Private Garden, Kamakura, Japan
 Stone, Early Meiji Period (see individual photos below)

BACKGROUND NOTES
This grouping of eight Buddhist saviors is very curious. It appears only in association with the twelve animals of the twelve-year cycle based on the twelve divisions of heaven in ancient Chinese astronomy -- known in the West as the Zodiac.

The origin of this grouping of eight is unknown to me, but in Japan, this grouping became popular during the Edo Period (1603 - 1867). Each of the eight Buddhist protectors is linked to one of the 12 zodiac animals, to one of the 8 directions and semi-directions, and to one of the 10 calendar signs. The list goes on, with these Buddhist protectors also linked to the Five Elements, Five Colors, Five Entrances, etc. Zodiac lore is tremendously confusing and clouded by thousands of interpretations, making it hard to track down the origin of the many traditions and legends still flourishing in Japan.

In modern times, this grouping of eight is not very prominent among Japan's surviving Buddhist sculptures, but it can still be found here and there. Below I present a grouping of eight stone statues near my home in Kamakura, Japan. Made sometime in the early Meiji Period (1868 - 1912), this set of eight stands unprotected from the elements in the outdoor garden of a private Kamakura home. The eight are listed in their customary order. Click any image to see larger photo. Each stone statue is approximately three feet in height.

Animal Buddhist Patron Year of Birth Rat Senju Kannon 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 Ox Kokuzo Bosatsu 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 Tiger Kokuzo Bosatsu 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 Rabbit Monju Bosatsu 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 Dragon Fugen Bosatsu 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 Snake Fugen Bosatsu 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 Horse Seishi Bosatsu 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 Sheep Dainichi Nyorai 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 Monkey Dainichi Nyorai 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 Rooster/Hen Fudo Myo-o 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 Dog Amida Nyorai 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 Boar/Pig Amida Nyorai 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

PHOTO OF DEITY Click for larger image Sanskrit Character of Buddhist Deity Buddhist Protector Direction & Animal Kiriiku Amida Nyorai Northwest Zodiac Associations Year of Boar (Pig) Year of Dog Click here for more on Amida Nyorai Kaan Fudo Myo West Zodiac Associations Year of Rooster (Chicken) Click here for more on Fudo Myo Ban Dainichi Nyorai Southwest Zodiac Associations Year of Monkey Year of Ram (Sheep) Click here for more on Dainichi Nyorai Saku Seishi Bosatsu South Zodiac Associations Year of Horse Click here for more on Seishi Bosatsu An Fugen Bosatsu Southeast Zodiac Associations Year of Snake Year of Dragon Click here for more on Fugen Bosatsu Man Monju Bosatsu East Zodiac Associations Year of Rabbit Click here for more on Monju Bosatsu Taraaku Kokuzo Bosatsu Northeast Zodiac Associations Year of Ox Year of Tiger Click here for more on Kokuzo Bosatsu Kiriiku Among some Shingon groups, Senju Kannon shares the same Siddham seed syllable as Amida Buddha. Indeed, Kannon is one of Amida's main attendants, and in some texts was born from the tears of Amida when the latter was observing the sufferings of the word. Senju Kannon North Zodiac Associations Year of Rat Click here for more on Kannon Bosatsu The same Siddham seed syllable is used for Amida and Senju Kannon, but not for other forms of Kannon. Sometimes a variant is used for Senju Kannon to differentiate the deity from Amida. Senju Kannon Amida Buddha Photos by Mark Schumacher. Sanskrit characters courtesy: www.syogando.net/shop/power/bon.htm (Japanese language)

(L) Dainichi Nyorai; (M) Fugen Bosatsu; (R) Amida Nyorai
Vanishing Japan - Stone statues being consumed by nature
 From the same set of eight featured above

Modern Wood Carvings of the Eight
http://butsuzou.cool.ne.jp/art1/index.html
 Available for online purchase (Japanese language site)

Above chart courtesy of Japanese-language site:
www.tctv.ne.jp/members/tobifudo/onyo/eto12/etoHyo.html


Above chart courtesy of Japanese-language site:
 www.tctv.ne.jp/members/tobifudo/onyo/eto12/etoHyo.html

 Above chart includes Japanese words (e.g., Ox = Ushi)

Chinese Listing of the Zodiac Animals
 courtesy of www.uchicago.edu

Amulets of Each Zodiac Patron
Available for Online Purchase

RETURN TO MAIN ZODIAC PAGE

JUNI SHI - ZODIAC ANIMALS
 12 Astrological Zodia Animals

LEARN MORE

• 12 Zodiac Animals and Five Elements (Japanese)
• Photo of the Eight 十二支（えと）にもとづき八仏 (Japanese)
• Protective Zodiac Bracelets 梵字入本水晶ブレスレット (Japanese)
  
   

Copyright 1995-2008. Mark Schumacher. Email Mark.
All stories and photos, unless specified otherwise, by Schumacher.
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