Twin Mandalas of Vairocana in Japanese Iconography
Tajima, Ryujun (Ed.)
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PRODUCT DETAILS
Book ID : 38325
ISBN-10 : 81-7742-116-6 / 8177421166
ISBN-13 : 978-81-7742-116-3 / 9788177421163
Place
of Publication :
Delhi
Year
of Publication :
2012
Edition : (First Edition)
Language : English
English Version from the French by Lokesh Chandra and Nirmala Sharma.
293p., 77 Col. & 32 B/W Plts., 29 cm. (Sata-pitaka Series: Indo Asian Literatures Vol. 635)
CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION
A fundamental work for the philosophic and artistic understanding of the theory and graphic representation of the mandalas in general and especially in the Shingon tradition of Japan. Details the philosophy, patriarchs and sacred canon of Mantrayana, its ulterior development into two branches in Japan, the nature and different kinds of mandalas, as well as their classification and essential principles. The twin mandalas of Vairocana based on the Mahavairocana-sutra and the Sarva-tathagata-tattva-sangraha are detailed in all aspects: their basic ideas, their interrelationship and differences in character, their configuration and symbolism. The iconography of all the deities is given at length from the root text, from the Hizoki of Kobo Daishi, and from the graphic representation ;which is the prime theme of the work. The work ends with the doctrine of Shingon (Mantrayana), its differences from exoteric or 'popular' Buddhism, the three universals, the triple mystery, the four kinds of dharmakayas, the stupa of five circles, the five knowledges, the three degrees of Tantric abhiÝeka (empowerment), bodhicitta and so on. It is a sine qua non for the comprehension of the history, iconography and aesthetics of mandalas with their inexhaustible Olympus of divine beings symbolising the mystic experience in the plenitude of ecstasis.
