Glossary of Japanese Buddhist terms

1. Abhaya mudra ☑ APPENDIX GLOSSARY • Abhaya mudra is the gesture of assurance or protection. For exhibiting this mudra the righthand should be bent in acute angle and the pain facing upward with the finger should be elevated. Adi Buddha According to the Mahamana concept Adi Buddha is but the primordial Buddha who has no beginning nor end. All the Buddhas are considered to be the emanations of the primordial or theidi Buddha who is regarded to the 'The body of Essence.' Aksamata It is a garland of beads. The priests generally carry this kind of garland of d beads. The beats are of a kind of dried fruit, called Rudraksa in Sanskrit. It may sometimes be made by crystal, sandle wood or other material. Alidha Outstreched This a peculiar azana or posture of sitting. In this attitude the right leg while the left is leg is slightly bent.

-195Amida Triad Anjali Mudra Ankusa Ardhaparyankasana ■ Amitabha(Amida in Japanese) with his two attendents is called Amida ied. Am Amitabha in Japan is usually flanked by his attendanto Mahasthamaprapta ( seishi in Japanese) and Avalokitesvara ( Kannon in Japanese). This mudra of gesture is also knowm as Semontaniali mudza. In this posturo the hands are elasped against th the chest and placed palm to palms Both the palms are elevated upward, but slightly bend. Elephant goad. When this goad io Sumounted by Jatra, it is called Vajrankusa It is also called Maharajalita asane. It is/aksexonlind peculiar asana or posture of sitting. Both the logo are placed on the same pedestal, of the knees in raised while the other is bent in the usual position of a Buddha

-196 Agana 4 Bhaisajya - Guru . Asana means seat in Sanskrit. While used as an iconographic term, the word Asana means any attitude exhibited in the lower limbs. There are several types of asanas viz. Lalitasana, Radmasana, Ardha-parzarikasana, Vairagana. Sukhasana etc. The images are depicted as seated in different asanas as prescribed in the texts. Yakushi yorat in Japanose. He is regarded to be the healer of all diseases, including the spiritual ones, which causo hindrances to the paths of attainment of Enlightenment. He is depicted as holding a medicine pot in one of his hands, usually the loft one, He is seen flanked by two Bodhisattvas ( Bosatsu in Japonese), Nikko and Gokka (Suryaprabha and Candraprabha respectively). The attendant on his right is Gakko, while Nikko is to be seen on his loft, fle is also soon as attended by twelve guardian Dovos known as Juni-Shinsho, who are also called twelve generals,

197 Bhumisparsa Mudra i Dija Mantra 1 Biwa In this mudra the deity should sit in the Vairapravomike attitude. . The polri of the left hand should turn upward and rest on the lap. The palm of the right hand should turn inward and placed over the knee, while the fingers of Dia right palm should touch the earth or ground. Bija means seed and Bija mantra moans seed syllable. In Tantra it signifies the Gormsyllable which takes the fom of deity in the course of meditation, A musical instrument introduced into Japan from Chino. Although it looks like a mandoline, Biwa is an attribute of Japanese Benzai-ten or Sarasvati. The word Biwa is said to be derived from Sanskrit word Vina Bodal Daruma 1 See Chapter III, of the present work, Bodhidharma ♦ Bodhidharma is an Indian priost who stayed in China from C. 527 and practised meditation staring blank at a wall for about nine years, It was Bodhidharma who introduced the Zen sclicol of Buddhism based on dhuang, During his long

-198 Bodhisattva : Bosatsu & Buddha Butsu : Candi a meditation he seated cross-legged. As a result of this the lower limbs of his body became shiff and inactive and he lost all power of movement. Bodhisattvas are Enlightened Beings. In Buddhist hirearchy, Bodhisattvas occupy second position next to the Buddha. Bodhisattva in Sanskrit (see Bodhisattva in the Glossary). One who attains the enlightenment. He is the Supreme Being in Buddhism, The Buddha images should be depicted with certain characteristic iconographic features. These feature are given shape and form following the signs and marks of greatness that prince siddhartha possessed. Buddha is Sanskrit (see Buddha in the Glossary).. Candi is one of the epithets of the Mother Goddess Durga. In Buddhist literature the daughter of Virupaksam is known as Candi. Her original name is Kalakayui.

-199 -> Candraprabha 1 Candraprabha is the deified form of the rays of moon.. In Japan Candraphabha is known as Gakko Bosatsu,He is to be seen as one of the attendants of Yakushi Nyorai (Buddha Bhaisajyaguru) and also of Fuku-Kensaku-Kannon (Amoghapasa Avɑlokitesvara). Cakra : Wheel or disc is known as Cakra in Sanskrit. It is one of the important attributes of Hindu God Some Buddhist divinities also from time to Visnu. time hold the same attribute. Caturmudra : This is also called as Sanmudra or six-mudras, Mudra generally means (mystic gesture. But these six mudras are ornaments which represent the sixparamitas. Dhyana : Dhyana means meditation. It refers to that portion of Sadhana in which instruction is given as to the description of deity with whom the worshipper is to identify himself. Dhyanamudra : Dhyana is a particular portion of Sadhana. In this particular posture the hands with palm upwards lie one upon the other on the Cap with all fingers stretched. This is also calleed Samadhimudra; This is the characeristic mudra of Amitabha Buddha,

-200 Dharmacakrapravartana mudra 1. This is one of the particular Buddha hand-gestures associated with Lord Buddha. exhibited this gesture while preaching his first sermon at Sarnath. In this gesture the hand of a deity should be slightly elevated. The thumbs should touch the index finger while the other three fingers are stretched outward, Buddha is depicted in several representations showing this mudra. ር Emma Ten ; Yama in Japan is known as Emma-ten or Emma-ten Gakko Gakko Bosatsu or Candraprabha (see also Candraprabha in the Glossary). Gandharva Gandharvas are the mythical beings. They are regarded to be the celestial singer and generally depicted on a form as they are playing on vina. Tho Gandharvas are hybrid in form - the upper portion of their body is like that of a human being with two wings on their shoulder whereas the lower *onske limbs of their body looks like that of a bird. They are also sometimes depicted as garland bearer. ☑

I - 201 He is regarded to be the destroyer of all serpents and Vahana of Visnu. Iconographically, he is represented peculiarly. Garuda ; Garuda is the mythecal bird. He has a huge human body with a sharpt beak. Gere rally he is represented with hands clasped against his chest.. Ghanta: Ghanta is known as bell in English. The symbol of Vajrasattva is Vajra-Ghanta. In this type the bell is surmounted by Ghana. Vajra. Geigel -ten: Giegei-ten is the Japanese god of art and music. • Hanka-Shiyul This is a peculiar posture of sitting In this posture the deity sits in such a manner so that his right finger touches the cheek. The left leg is pendent and the right leg is placed over the right leg. Hariti Hariti, the Buddhist goddess, protects the children Indra : from evil beings and harms. She can be compared with Hindu goddess Sasthi. In Japan Hariti is known as Kariteimo or Kishimo-jin. Indra is one of the gods of eight directions. He is presiding over the Eastern region. In Japan his name is Taishaku Ten.

202Jatamukuta : Jatamukuta is the crown of white hair. The hair is tied up above the head in such a way as to resemble a crown or a tiara. Jikoku-ten & Dhrtarastra is known as Jikoku-ten in Japanese, He is one of the four guardian deities or Shi-tenno of Japan. Juni-Shinsho : Juni-Shinsho are the twelve guardian deities of Yakushi Nyorai. These deities are derived from the twelve vowes of Yakushi Nyoral (Buddha Bhaisajyaguru), Juni-ten : Juni-ten are the twelve protector gods of Bhddusm. They are different from the Juni-shinsho group. Juni ten are orginally Brahmanical deities and assimilated in Buddhism in India. Juni-ten is the Japanese transliteration of the twelve guardian kings. Juntei-kannon: In Sanskrit Candi. Kalasa : It is the ordinary water vessel of earth or metal. It is different from Kamandalu, which is used by Brahma as one of his attributes. Kamandalus It is a pitcher of smaller size and is provided with a projecting pipe for discharging water.

❤ 203 Kapata : Generally it means a cup made of skull. But head of a man and a bowl is also sometimes known as Kapata. Karana + mudras This is one of the important hand gestures of different deties. In this posture the hand is outstretched with the index and little fingers erect. The other two fingers are pressed by the thumbs against the palm. Kariteimo: Kariteimo is the Japanese transliteration of sanskrit Hariti. Kartri: Kartri signifies a small knife when it is surmounted by a Vajra it is called Vajrakartri. Karuna : Japanese transliteration of Indian Garuda. Khadga 1 Khadga is sword. Prajjakhadga is one of the important emblems of Manjusri which is believed to destroy the darkness of ignorance. Khatvanga :A straight stick, which is usually slender. It is sometimes surmounted by a skull. Kichijokat Pomegranade. It is one of the symbols of Japanese counter-part of Indian Laksmi 1.e. Kichijo- · ten.

204 28. Kishimojin: Kishimojin is the Japanese transliteration of Sanskrit Mariti. She is differently known as Kariteimo in Japan. the Ksitigarbha : One of iim/important Bodhisattvas in Indian Buddhismu. In Japan he is known as Jizo Bosatsu. Laksanas : The thirty two auspicious marks of Buddha is generally known as Laksanas. Dharmasangraha of Nagarjuna describes these baksanas. a Mala : Mala is kind of string of beads or flowers generally used during the time of worship. The string of beads are used by the priests during the time of meditation. Mandala: Mandala is a magic circle containing different Mudra : gods and goddesses. It is generally done in a rectangular piece of silk cloth. In Japan and China Mahavarracana (Dainichi Nyoral in Japan) is regarded to be the central deity of the Mandala or Mandara. There are two basic forms of Mandalas Garbhadhatu mandala and Vajradhatu mandala. The mystic pose or hand gesture. Some of the gestures are shown by one hand only while some require both the hands. Different mudras differently indentifies the various gods and goddesses.

- -205 Namaskara : The mudra or hand-gesture of paying homage. In Buddhism Bodhisattvas are sometimes represented as showing Namaskara mudra to the Buddhas or Tathagatas. Natrrti : Raksasa. Indian Buddhist texts d Strine the deity Nispannayogavati describes the deity as having two arms and blue colour. His vehicle is corpse. Nyorals Nyroad is the Japanese transliteration of Sanskrit Buddha, who is regarded to be the supreme being in Buddhism. Padma Pasa Padma is Sanskrit meaning of the word'Lotus' In Tantric But blue lotus is known as Nilotpala. texts Padma is regarded as the day lotus as Nilotpala is regarded as night lotus, where Rasa is called noose or Casso. In Buddhist faith lasso is used to bind the 'Maras' or the wicked beings, who caused destruction to the Buddhism. Patra : Begging bowls are known as Patra. Sometimes the Kapal or bowl made of skulls are also known as Patra. The images of Buddhas sometimes hold Patra in their hands. Paryankasana : Paryankasana can be understood in the sense of a sitting posture in which both the legs are hanging down from the seat. Ratna : Ratna is the jewel, The word Triratna signifies the three jewels, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. ° ma

-206Ryokai Mandara: Ryu When the Taizokai Mandara (Garbhadhatu Mandala ) and Kongokai Mandara ( Vairadhatu (Mandala) are united together then it is called Ryokai Mandara. * 'Injapanse Naga is known as Ryu. Ryu is one of the ux demigods of the eight demigods or Hachi-bushu of Japan. Sadhana: Procedure of worship of gods. sakti The female counterpart of any deity. In Buddhism they are also known as Prajna Sakyamuni : sakyamuni is the historical Buddha Gautama. Samikha : Samikha is the conch shell. It is especially given as a symbol to the gods. Sanmudra : It is a mudra which is quite different from the meaning mystic gestures. Generally six e auspicious ornaments are known as Sanmudra. six ornaments are as follows :- 1) The bracelet, 11) The torque, iii) The girdle, iv) The jewel, v) The ashes, vi) The sacred thread. Seed Syllable : Seed syllable is known as Bija-mantra in Sanskrit Those

207 Shaka : sakyamuni is known as Shaka in Japanese. Suci Mudza : Generally used in dancing. Generally the fingers are stretched with the tips joining at end, : which resembles a needle. Tarjana Mudra : The post of the raised index finger in a menacing attitude. In the hand showing this mudra, the index finger only is raised while the other fingers are locked up in the fist, Trisula : Trident is known as Trisula in Sanskrit Lord siva holds a trident as his emblem. Tusita heaven : The residence of the Buddha. Here he lives as a Boddhisattva. Then he is requested by the other gods to come down to earth for the welfare of mankind. Utpala : Blue totuses are knwon as utpala. Vac : Sarasvati is also known as Vac or the goddess of speech. Vahana: The vehicle or the mount of gods. Vajra : Thunderbolt is known as Vaira in Sanskrit. The double yaira is known as Visva-Vajra.

- 208 Vajrahunkara Mudra : In this gesture the two hands hold both Vajra and bell in his two hands. The wrists of the hands are crossed at the chest. Varada Mudra # The boon giving gesture. The palm of the hand is bent and stretched outward. Vasu 'Vasu' is a group of god. There are eight Vasus in the Hindu or Brahmanical pantheon. They personified eight different natural phenomena . Indra, is regards as the Chief of eight Vasus. Vidyadharas : Vidyadharas are the attendant deities of main deities. They are also regarded as the garland bearer . But they have no wings like the Gandharvas. Vitarka Mudra s A hand gesture, that assumed discussion. The right arm should be bent and all/fingers are erect. But either the index or the ring finger should touch the thumb. Vyakhyana Mudra : Same as Dharmacakra Pravartana Mudra. Yab-Yum : It is a Tibetan word means the honourable father and 'honourable mother'. Yaksas : Yaksas are the attendants of Kubera, the God of wealth. They are also the guardian of the Northern Mountain. ; "

- 209Tushi : Miniature or portable shrine. It looks like a temple and it is but a container for the images of Buddhist gods and goddess.