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Dainichi Buddha
(Dainichi Nyorai 大日如来)
Kamakura period 1185-1333
- Medium
- lacquer on wood, gilt, glass
- Measurements
- 63.3 × 47.1 × 31.3 cm
- Place/s of Execution
- Japan
- Accession Number
- 1534-D4
- Department
- Asian Art
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1955
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation - Gallery location
- Level 1, NGV International
- About this work
-
Dainichi Nyorai, Buddha of the Great Sun, is considered the all-encompassing figure of Esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyō) in Japan. His hand gesture is known as the ‘mudra of six elements’: his left-hand index finger, representing spiritual consciousness, is clasped by the five fingers of his right hand, representing the worldly elements of earth, water, fire, air and space. This unity of mind and nature symbolises Buddha’s complete spiritual oneness with the universe.
- Physical description
- Dainichi Nyorai (Mahavairocana), seated, robed, jewelled.