Satapitaka Series: Indo-Asian Literatures Vol; 635

Title in ENGLISH : 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.;Contents: Prologue by Lokesh Chandra and Nirmala Sharma; Foreword by Louis Renou; Preface; Different types of Twin Mandalas: Mahakarunagarbha and Vajradhatu; Abbreviations;I. Introduction: 1.The antecedents of Esoteric Buddhism; 2. Shingon esoterism; 3. The Mahavairocana-sutra and its place in the esoteric scriptures; 4. The plan of the Mahavairocana-sutra; 5. The essential ideas of the Mahavairocana-sutra; 6. The Mahavairocana-sutra in Europe; 7. ;Shingon and its canon; 8. The two great mandalas; 9. The traditions regarding the patriarchs of Shingon; 10.The subsequent developments of the Shingon sect: its two branches: the Kogi and the Shingi;II. General introduction to the study of mandalas: 1. Meaning of the word `mandala'; 2. Nature and purpose of the mandala; 3. The different types of mandalas; 4. Classification of mandalas; 5. Mandalas done on the floor; 6. Essential principles that are the basis of the Mahakarunagarbha and the Vajradhatu mandalas; 7. Correspondences between the Mahakarunagarbha and the Vajradhatu mandalas; 8. Differences of character between the two mandalas;III. Mahakarunagarbha-mandala: 1. Significance of the Mahakarunagarbha-mandala; 2. Rules given by the Mahavairocana-sutra for the execution of the Mahakarunagarbha-mandala; 3. The system of the Mahakarunagarbha-mandala; 4. The central quarter of the eight-petalled lotus and its symbols; 5. The doctrinal meaning of the five buddhas and of the four bodhisattvas sitting in the central lotus; 6(1). The central quarter of the eight-petalled lotus and its relation to other quarters; 6(2). The quarter of Universal Knowledge; 6(3). The quarter of Vidyadharas; 6(4). The quarter of Avalokitesvara; 6(5). The quarter of Vajrapani; 6(6). The quarter of Sakyamuni; 6(7). The quarter of Manjusri; 6(8). The quarter of Ksitigarbha; 6(9). The quarter of Sarvanivaranaviskambhin; 6(10). The quarter of Akasagarbha; 6(11). The quarter of Susiddhi; 6(12). The outer quarter of vajras;IV. Vajradhatu-mandala: 1. The principle of the nine mandalas of Vajradhatu; 2. The term Vajradhatu; 3. Bases of drawing the Vajradhatu-mandala; 4. The meaning of Vajradhatu-mahamandala or Jojin-ne; 5. Disposition of the Vajradhatu-mahamandala; 6. The thirty-seven divinities: their names and placement; 7. Raison d'etre of the thirty-seven divinities; 8. Brief description of the thirty-seven divinities; 9. Brief description of the other divinities and their symbols; 10. Very brief description of the eight accessory mandalas of the Vajradhatu-mandala Mandala no.2: Samaya-mandala; Mandala no.3: Suksma-mandala; Mandala no.4: Puja-mandala; Mandala no.5: Caturmudra-mandala; Mandala no.6: Ekamudra-mandala; Mandala no.7: Naya-mandala; Mandala no.8: Trailokyavijaya-karma-mandala; Mandala no.9: Trailokyavijaya-samaya-mandala V. The doctrine of Shingon: 1. Critique of Shingon esoterism - A. The `horizontal' critique of popular Buddhism and of esoteric Buddhism; B. A survey of the doctrine of the ten steps of the heart: The `vertical' critique of esoteric Buddhism; 2. Differences between popular Buddhism and esoteric Buddhism by Kakuban; 3. The three universals; 4. The six elements; 5. The four kinds of mandalas; 6. The triple mystery (triguhya); 7. Attaining the state of Buddha in this life; 8. The four kinds of dharmakayas; 9. The five circles and the stupa of five circles; 10. The five buddhas and the five knowledges; 11. The three classes and the five classes - The divinities of the three circles; 12. The heart of bodhi (bodhicitta); 13. The three degrees of the Shingon abhiseka;Appendices: 1. Translation of the `notice on the engraving of the twin mandalas'; 2. Bhaisajyaguru in Japan; Bibliography: 1. Mahavairocana-sutra - Chinese documents, Japanese documents, Tibetan documents; 2. Shingon doctrine Chinese works, Japanese works, Works in French, Mandalas; Index;

ISBN 13: 9788177421163

ISBN 10: 8177421166

Edition: New Delhi

Year: 2012

Language: ENGLISH

Subject(s): Buddhism