Mitoku San, Temple Sanbutsu-Ji

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Dragons from the Temple Sanbutsu-Ji at Mitokusan



The two inscriptions are for Namu　南無
Amida Nyorai 阿弥陀如来 and Kanro-O Nyorai 甘露王如来






Detail of the Dragon Stand






Temple Sanbutsu-Ji
My Visit in October 2006

三徳山三仏寺（みとくさんさんぶつじ）


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

This type of stele is called "six-sided stele" rokumentoo　六面塔.
This example has a simple lotus relief at the top. It is quite a remarkable piece.
"rokumen tō rokumentou"
The six-sided steles originate in China. The names of six deities or just their sanskrit characters are usually inscribed.
Most of these steles show figures of the six Jizo Bosatsu at the roadside.


Other examples (external links)

永源寺跡・清池の六面塔
http://www.ic-net.or.jp/home/rinet/yympkyiknrkmnt.html


大寶院の六面幢
http://www.ic-net.or.jp/home/rinet/yympdihuinnrkmnt.html


石造六面幢 　山形県南陽市赤湯
http://www.ic-net.or.jp/home/rinet/yympiszkrrkmnt.html


夏茂の六面幢
http://www.ic-net.or.jp/home/rinet/yympntmnrkmnt.html

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Six Nyorai, roku nyorai　六如来

寶勝 (宝勝如来) / 多寶 / 妙色身 / 広博身 / 離怖畏 / 甘露王 / 阿弥陀

They are prayed to for riches in this world.

Here is another grouping (there are various according to different sutras)

寳勝如来（ほうしょうにょらい）Hooshoo Nyorai
　餓鬼の欲心を除かせる仏

妙色身如来（みょうしきしんにょらい）Myooshikishin Nyorai
　餓鬼の顔を穏やかにさせる仏

甘露王如来（かんろおうにょらい）Kanroo-Oo Nyorai
　餓鬼が飲食を受ける気にさせる仏

廣博身如来（こうばくしんにょらい）Oobakushin Nyorai
　餓鬼の咽喉を広くさせる仏

離怖畏如来（りふいにょらい）Rifui Nyorai
　餓鬼の恐怖を取り除き、餓鬼の世界から離れさせる仏
http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~fusenji/tayori/tayori092.htm


They are also known in Tibetan Buddhist Mandala.

本作品は、中央に青色で妃を抱擁する金剛薩たを描き、周囲は東方から右回りに五仏を配している。
Here in the middle is a female deity, and the five Buddhas of Wisdom are at the sides.


http://www1.mandala.ne.jp/mandala/museum.html

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Nyorai Group
Details by Mark Schumacher


The Six States of Existence
by Mark Schumacher


The Five Buddhas of Wisdom
by Mark Schumacher


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Daruma Museum, Japan