Living Buddhist statues in early medieval and modern Japan /

Abstract

Large numbers of Buddhist believers regarded Buddhist statues in surprising ways in late- tenth and early eleventh century Japan. Examination of such questions of functionality contributes to a broader view of Buddhist practice at a time when Buddhism was rapidly spreading among many levels of Japanese society. This book focuses particularly on the function of the following types of images: & secret Buddhas& ('hibutsu'), which are rarely if ever displayed; Buddhas who exchange bodies with sufferers ('migawari' 'butsu'); and masks of bodhisattvas used in a ritual called 'mukaeko'. Primary sources for these topics include collections of popular tales ('setsuwa'), poetry, ritual texts, and temple histories ('engi').

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Large numbers of Buddhist believers regarded Buddhist statues in surprising ways in late- tenth and early eleventh century Japan. Examination of such questions of functionality contributes to a broader view of Buddhist practice at a time when Buddhism was rapidly spreading among many levels of Japanese society. This book focuses particularly on the function of the following types of images: & secret Buddhas& ('hibutsu'), which are rarely if ever displayed; Buddhas who exchange bodies with sufferers ('migawari' 'butsu'); and masks of bodhisattvas used in a ritual called 'mukaeko'. Primary sources for these topics include collections of popular tales ('setsuwa'), poetry, ritual texts, and temple histories ('engi').