Have you ever wondered, when visiting a temple, 'Why are there Kannon with many hands or with angry faces, even though they are the same Kannon?'
In the Aizu region, numerous Kannon deities, such as the "Aizu Korori Three Kannon" and the "Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage Sites," are enshrined. Just putting your hands together can cleanse your heart, but knowing the "meaning of the form (design code)" that the statues hold transforms historical exploration into surprisingly academic and intellectual entertainment.
This time, let's unravel the secrets of the Kannon (Bodhisattva), which you may think you know but actually don't, and the uniquely diverse Buddhist figures you can encounter in Aizu.
What exactly is a "Bodhisattva"?
Buddha statues can be broadly categorized into four tiers: "Nyorai," "Bodhisattva," "Myōō," and "Ten."
The Kannon, which belongs to the "Bodhisattva," is a being in training to become the highest rank of "Nyorai." The model is the figure of the "Buddha in his princely days," adorned with luxurious accessories and garments (heavenly robes) before attaining enlightenment.
The elite monk running around the field
Each Bodhisattva has a designated "master (Nyorai)," and the master of Kannon Bodhisattva is "Amitabha Nyorai."
While standing beside Amitabha Nyorai, the elite monk, who is closest to us humans, runs around day and night asking, "How can I save everyone from suffering?" That is the Bodhisattva.
[Thirty-Three Transformations] The ultimate customer support
The greatest characteristic of Kannon (Kannon Seon Bodhisattva) is the overwhelming compassion to "change one's form to suit the other party."
In the sutra called the "Kannon Sutra," it is written that Kannon transforms into "33 different forms" (Thirty-Three Manifestations) to save people, adapting to their situations. For the elderly, it becomes an elderly figure; for children, a child's figure; and for soldiers, a soldier's figure. It truly is the ultimate customer support.
The reason that Kannon and the number "33" are paired together in places like "Sanjusangendo" and "Aizu Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage Sites" is because of this.
Encounterable in Aizu! Representative "Transforming Kannon"
To respond to the deep concerns of people, Kannon further transforms into forms with special abilities (Six Kannon and Seven Kannon). Let's take a look at the representative forms you can actually encounter at the sacred sites in the Aizu region.
|
Types of Kannon |
Characteristics and design codes |
Main temples you can encounter in Aizu |
|---|---|---|
|
Seikanon |
[Basic Form] A human-like form with one face and two arms. In the left hand, it holds a water jar filled with purifying spiritual water and a lotus. |
Toriiwai Kannon (Nishi-Aizu Town) |
|
Eleven-faced Kannon |
[Omnidirectional Radar] It has 11 faces (compassion, anger, laughter, etc.) above its head and can find suffering people in all directions. |
Nakada Kannon (Aizumisato Town) |
|
Thousand-armed Kannon |
[Infinite Rescue Tools] The strongest form that saves people without fail with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes. A rational calculation that one hand saves 25 worlds (25×40 hands = 1,000) is also included. |
Tachiki Kannon (Aizubakuhatsu Town), etc. |
|
Nyoirin Kannon |
[Thinking Kannon] Sitting with one knee raised and resting its chin on its hand, pondering 'How shall I save?' It crushes delusions with the 'Dharma wheel' it holds. |
Kannonji (Kitakata City) |
|
Bato Kannon |
[Angry Kannon] It has a horse on its head and devours human delusions as a horse eats grass. It features a rare angry face (fury aspect) for Kannon. |
Mount Umayadake (Bandai Town) |
Use it on tours! A 'connoisseur' perspective on viewing Buddhist statues
Finally, here are two slightly connoisseur-level viewing points that will make you think, 'Oh, they know what they're talking about' when you visit the temple.
① Look for the small Buddha above the head (Kebutsu)!
Please take a close look at the head of Kannon (the crown). Is there a small Buddha attached? This is called a 'Kebutsu', representing the master (superior) of that bodhisattva. The master, 'Amitabha Buddha', sits atop Kannon's head. It's like an employee ID saying, 'I am a subordinate of Amitabha Buddha.' Just knowing this reveals the connections among the Buddhist statues.
② Pay attention to the 'base' at the feet!
The base on which the Buddha stands also has meaning.
Lotus Seat: A lotus that blooms beautifully from the mud. It symbolizes achieving enlightenment purely even in the world of desires (often seen with Buddhas and bodhisattvas).
Shitsushitsu Seat / Iwaza: A base resembling rugged rocks. It represents a strong and unyielding will, used for wrathful Buddhas (like Fudo Myoo).
Embark on a journey of intellectual exploration in 'Buddhist City Aizu'
How was it? The number of hands and belongings of Kannon, as well as the shape of the base, all carry deep reasons and historical designs that express 'I want to save you.' Standing before the Buddhist statues in Aizu with this knowledge, you should hear a completely different message than before.
At 'Tabinoito', we offer tours in the 'Academic Style' where guides clearly explain the profoundness of Buddhist art and the historical background of the sculptors who colored the eras (like Unkei and Kaikei).
If you have a curiosity like, 'I want to know more deeply about the meaning of the design of Buddhist statues' or 'I want to experience the worldview of mandalas I saw in textbooks at an actual temple',
why not join us for an in-depth fieldwork in 'Buddhist City Aizu'?
[The ultimate academic tour connecting the dots of history]
Experience a journey that goes beyond a stamp rally and feel the breath of the people from that time.
A dedicated guide will explain the mysteries of history spread throughout Aizu.
First, feel free to consult us via LINE.
