Gorintō

A Gorintō (Japanese五 轮 塔, dt " 5 Rings Tower ( Tō ) ") is a (hard ) stupa, which is used in Japanese Buddhism. It was first built by the Shingon and the Tendai school in the middle of the Heian period as a tomb or memorial stone and is therefore often found on or near Buddhist cemeteries.

Other names for the Gorintō are Gorinsotōba (五 轮 卒 塔 婆) or Goringedatsu (五 轮 解脱). This can be translated as " Stupa of Five Rings " or " Five-stage Stupa ".

The word Sotoba is the transcription of the Sanskrit word stupa, which denotes a sacred buildings are preserved in the relics of Buddha or of saints. The shape of the stupa has changed several times, so that their appearance varies greatly in different regions and countries.

Construction

Most Gorintō are made of stone, but of wood, metal and glass are possible. The Gorintō always consists of five segments, also referred to as rings. Each segment is one of the five great elements ( Sanskrit: Mahabhuta, Japanese: Godai ) allocated from the Indian philosophy. Often the Sanskrit word exists in Siddham font for that item. Each element is also a geometric shape assigned. From top to bottom these are:

The shape of the top element differs regionally. In Japan, the form usually resembles a lotus flower. The top two rings ( air and energy ) are optically often combined into one unit. Ornaments often make it difficult to distinguish the individual rings from each other.

In temples of the Nichiren and Tendai school Gorintō often carry the Lotus Sutra.

Importance

There are several meanings for both Gorintō as whole, as well as the individual rings. The literature speaks then of multiple levels of symbolism. When used as a grave stone rings bring the idea expressed that the body goes into the five elements after death.

The Gorintō as a symbol belongs to Mikkyo (密 教), the "secret doctrine " ( the translation of the word ) of Buddhism. This term refers to the Buddhist schools of Shingon and Tendai are combined (see Buddhism in Japan). This " esoteric Buddhism " has its roots in the Vajrayana, a flow of Mahayana Buddhism. In these schools, the lower two forms represent ( square and circle ) the perfection, as these two forms include the others.

• Square and circle: They represent the Jutsuzaikai (実 在 界, "real world" ), the realm of understanding.
• Triangular, half- moon and the top element: They represent the Henkai (変 界, " Empire of the mutation " ), the realm of impermanence. This also includes the Genshōkai (现象 界), the world in which we live.

On a second level of the symbols, each element is an element of the Gorintō change, both in Jutsuzaikai and in Henkai:

• The top element combines the shape of the half moon and a triangle. The combination of these two qualities stands for perfection, the attainment of Buddhist enlightenment.
• The crescent stands for recording. He is an empty cup, which is ready to receive the gifts of heaven.
• The triangle is the transition between two worlds. It symbolizes union and motion, the two things that are necessary in order to attain enlightenment.
• The circle represents the completeness or the attainment of wisdom.
• The square is a symbol of the four elements of fire, water, air and earth.

In another level of symbolism forms designate the stages in which a student progresses in his spiritual studies. The stages are traversed from bottom to top:

• The square of the base; the will to achieve perfection.
• The circle is the attainment of serenity.
• The triangle is the energy that is created in search of the truth.
• The crescent is the development of insight and knowledge.
• The top shape is perfection itself

History of Gorintō in Japan

The development of Gorintō in Japan shows a large influence of Mikkyo teachings of the monks Kūkai and Kakuban .. Its development began in the second half of the Heian period. The oldest known Gorintō dates from 1169 and is in Chuson -ji in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture. It is a mixture of Gorintō and Hoto ( a two-story Buddhist Pagoda). During the Kamakura period, the Gorintō established as a memorial and grave stones and was not only found in Buddhist temples.

In Japanese cemeteries are found today are often the victims sticks of wood ( see photo). At the offertory notches can be seen, which divide it into five sections. The inscription consists of Sutra and the posthumous names of the deceased. These wooden boards are a variant of the stupa in principle.

Credentials

Other sources include:

• The Sotoba ( Gorintō, Stupa ) Explained, Home Study Course on Basic Buddhism Accessed on April 6, 2008
• Kōjien Iwanami Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008 ), DVD version

• Buddhist Architecture
• Architecture ( Japan)
• Tomb
• Sacred building of Buddhism