Mandala of the Thirteen Buddhas (Jūsan butsu mandara)

Unidentified artist

Not on view

This grouping of thirteen Buddhist deities, consisting of five buddhas, seven bodhisattvas, and one wisdom king, is worshipped in the Shingon school. Each deity is the focus of one of thirteen memorial services conducted to pray for the postmortem wellbeing of a deceased person, held in the days, weeks, and years following death. This practice, which emerged in Japan in the fourteenth century and was widespread during the Muromachi period, is related to worship of the Ten Kings of Hell.

Mandala of the Thirteen Buddhas (Jūsan butsu mandara), Unidentified artist, Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk, Japan

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Mandala of the Thirteen Buddhas (Jūsan butsu mandara), Unidentified artist, Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk, Japan
Mandala of the Thirteen Buddhas (Jūsan butsu mandara), Unidentified artist, Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk, Japan

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