Buddha Statues

Hello Readers,
Knowledge and Product Updates for May 2011.

Updates to A-to-Z Dictionary of Japanese Deities

This month we dive deep into the heady waters of combinatory Buddha-Kami worship in Japan. For most of Japan’s recorded history, the myriad kami (local deities) were recognized as manifestations of the imported Buddhist divinities, and a great syncretic melding occurred, with temples and shrines sharing both deities and sacred grounds. This Buddha-Kami merger is known as Honji Suijaku 本地垂迹, the concept that local kami are manifestations (suijaku) of some higher universal deity (honji) and act as the local guardians of Buddhist doctrine. Alas, combinatory Buddhism-Shintoism was forcibly dismantled by the Japanese government in the Meiji Period (1868-1912), with Buddhism declared a superstitious foreign import of corruption and decadence. Buddhism’s dismantling was accompanied by the elevation of Shinto to state religion, with the emperor “turned living god” installed at the pinnacle of both political and religious power. Along the way, the architects of modern Japan fabricated a new history for the nation, one in which Shinto was portrayed as Japan’s ancient and indigenous religion.

» Sanjūbanshin 三十番神 (30 Kami Protectors of the 30 Days of the Month)
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/30-kami-of-the-month.html
These 30 kami are invoked to protect the peace and prosperity of the nation, its rulers, and its people, with each kami presiding over one day of the lunar 30-day month. These 30 kami are also considered guardians of the Lotus Sutra, protectors against curses, broken oaths, and the spirits of the dead. Each kami is linked to a Buddhist counterpart. The origin of this grouping is clouded in uncertainty. By tradition, it is said to have originated with Tendai monk Ennin 円仁 (794-864). <11 pages; photos of all 30 Kami and their Buddhist counterparts>

Sanjubanjin (30 Kami Tutelaries of the 30 Days of the Month)

» Sanjūnichi Hibutsu 三十日秘仏 (Secret Buddhas of 30 Days of the Month)
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/30-hidden-butsu.html
The 30-kami grouping discussed above is a purely Japanese convention, one that originated with the combinatory Buddha-Kami practices of Japan’s Tendai sect. Nonetheless, its conceptual basis and development probably stems from earlier Chinese influences. Most scholars believe that a similar grouping, called the Secret Buddha of the 30 Days of the Month, originated in China around the 10th century, and then spread to Japan. This latter Chinese grouping may have sparked the development of Japan’s 30-kami set, but further research is needed to determine if the two sets are related. Although this 30-Buddha grouping is largely forgotten in modern Japan, it still serves today as the primary source for the ENNICHI (holy day, monthly memorial day) of Japan’s most beloved Buddhist divinities. Saying prayers to the deity on this day is believed to bring greater merits and results than on regular days. <5 pages; photos of all 30 deities>

Updates to Buddha Statue eStore

» ONE NEW PRODUCT ADDED TO OUR ESTORE

• Shaka Nyorai, the Historical Buddha (One New Product)

Shaka Nyorai (the Historical Buddha)

In The News & Current/Upcoming Exhibitions

» Disaster Relief for Japan. If you haven’t given yet, please consider donating (no matter how little). Visit the Friends of Japan Web Consortium – Donation Page for a list of trustworthy relief organizations.

» Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Until June 6th. Kuniyoshi: Spectacular Ukiyo-e Imagination. Around 400 woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) by famed artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) are on display to celebrate the 150th anniversary since his death. See the Japanese web site (with great photos) or view a short Japan Times story.

» Buddhist monk in Japan raps to attract young converts (UPI.com). Includes a few quotes from Schumacher at the end of the article.