KÅtoku-in
The Kōtoku - in (Japanese高 徳 院) is a Buddhist temple in the Japanese city of Kamakura. It houses the Great Buddha (Japanese大 仏daibutsu ), one of the most important representations of the Buddha Amitabha (Japanese Amida ).
History
Occupied the site of today's figure in Kōtoku - in originally a carved wooden Buddha statue in a wooden shrine. The first plans to erect a bronze Buddha statue can be traced back to the year 1236 a priest Toe no Joko, in the time of the Kamakura shogunate under the rule of Hojo Yasutoki.
In 1252 the artist Ōno - Gorōemon and Tanji - Hisatomo began with the establishment of a paid by donations bronze sculpture of Shaka Nyorai - Buddha.
Originally today's figure was covered with gold leaf and was located inside of a wooden temple building, which had a floor area of 44 x 42.5 meters. It fell, however, a first 1334 and then 1369 and 1498 swept away by a tsunami up to the foundation walls. Then you gave up a reconstruction, the statue has since been outdoors.
1879 started with the collection of donations for the rebuilding of the temple building. The plan was abandoned in 1889 and used the donated money for the embellishment and enlargement of the terrain.
In the years 1960 and 1961 a restoration of the statue took place, which amplifies the neck of the figure and improved measures have been taken to earthquake safety.
Properties and display
The Daibutsu is 13.35 meters high and consists of several separately cast and artfully assembled parts. It has a weight of 121 tons. The sculpture can be accessed via an entrance on the back of the base for consideration and viewed from the inside. In their back, two in 1736, donated, large picture window can be opened.
The stylistic representation of the Daibutsu in Kōtoku - in follows the Buddhist art of the Kamakura period (1192-1333) in Japan.
As usually, Buddha Amitabha is also shown here in a seated meditation posture. His hands resting in his lap ( dhyana mudra ), while in this particular form of the index finger erect and form by the touch of the thumb two triangles ( Amitabha Dhyana Mudra, Japanese Amida Jō -in). Among the nine greeting gestures (Japanese Raigo ), which according to Japanese tradition of Amitabha Amitabha Buddhism welcomes deceased in the " Pure Land ", this is the highest, called JOBON Josho. His feet are hidden under the robe, which indicates the position of Amitabha as one of the most esoteric, Tantric Buddhas.
Pictures
The Great Buddha, Kamakura
The Daibutsu at the time of cherry blossom
The meditation gesture of hands (Jap. Amida Jō -in)
Back of the figure with open view windows
View of the bronze castings in the interior of the figure
The shoes of the Daibutsu in a walkway at the side of the statue
Others
- The first Western trip reports on the Kōtoku - in date from the early 17th century: in 1607 attended a Father Rodrigues the place, and in 1618 an English captain named saris.
- Some cornerstones of the 1498 destroyed hall were still in their original places around the figure until the early 20th century.
- The two left and right standing by the statue bronze lanterns were donated in January 1712 and contributed to the end of the 19th century pointed statements.
- Rudyard Kipling has dedicated to the Buddha statue in the preface to his 1901 published novel " Kim " some verses of the poem.