地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Northern Round Hall

Statue of the Buddha Maitreya

National Treasure

This intricately executed statue depicts Maitreya (Jp. Miroku), the Buddha of the Future. The image was carved from wood during the Kamakura period (1185–1333) and is remarkably well preserved. Backed by a radiant golden mandorla, the figure is adorned with elaborate robes and jewelry, including a wheel-shaped pendant symbolizing the Buddhist wheel of dharma, which represents Buddha’s teachings.

According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is the immediate successor of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, and will be born in this world in 5.67 billion years to become its next Buddha. In this image, Maitreya wears an expression of meditative tranquility and sits in the semi-lotus position, one foot on the ground. This indicates a being not yet an awakened Buddha lingering in this world to save all sentient beings. The right hand is raised in the blessing and wish-fulfilling (yogan-in) gesture.

The chest (zushi) enshrining the statue protected it from light, pests, and other damage over the centuries. The interior is elaborately decorated and features celestial musicians (apsara) near the top of the chest. The doors are decorated with paintings of Hosso school patriarchs, the bodhisattva Monju, the sage Yuima Koji, and the Four Heavenly Kings, the latter the guardians of Buddhism.

國寶館

木造彌勒菩薩半跏像（佛櫥內）

重要文化財產

這尊精美的佛像刻畫的是未來世的佛陀彌勒。佛像為木雕作品，出自鐮倉時代（1185-1333），保存異常完好。佛像身後有輻射狀的金色背光，本身衣飾繁復精細，其中一個輪狀墜飾象征著佛家的智慧法輪，代表佛陀的教誨。

依照佛教的說法，彌勒佛是現世佛釋迦牟尼的繼任者，將在我們這個世界的56億7千萬年時降臨，投胎人世，成為下一任佛陀。這尊彌勒佛像表情沈靜，狀若入定，單腳盤起呈半趺坐狀，代表了一位尚未完全開悟的佛陀正徘徊現世人間，想要普度眾生。佛像右手豎起，結與願印。

過去若幹個世紀以來，佛櫥保護著這尊佛像免受光照、蟲害和其他損傷。這個佛櫥內飾精美，上部靠近櫥頂處飾有飛天。櫃門上繪製著法相宗尊奉的佛教神明，包括文殊菩薩、維摩詰居士、四大天王等，其中四大天王是佛教的護法神。

国宝馆

木造弥勒菩萨半跏像（佛橱内）

重要文化财产

这尊精美的佛像刻画的是未来世的佛陀弥勒。佛像为木雕作品，出自镰仓时代(1185–1333)，保存异常完好。佛像身后有辐射状的金色背光，本身衣饰繁复精细，其中一个轮状坠饰象征着佛家的智慧法轮，代表佛陀的教诲。

依照佛教的说法，弥勒佛是现世佛释迦牟尼的继任者，将在我们这个世界的56亿7千万年时降临，投胎人世，成为下一任佛陀。这尊弥勒佛像表情沉静，状若入定，单脚盘起呈半趺坐状，代表了一位尚未完全开悟的佛陀正徘徊现世人间，想要普度众生。佛像右手竖起，结与愿印。

过去若干个世纪以来，佛橱保护着这尊佛像免受光照、虫害和其他损伤。这个佛橱内饰精美，上部靠近橱顶处饰有飞天。柜门上绘制着法相宗尊奉的佛教神明，包括文殊菩萨、维摩诘居士、四大天王等，其中四大天王是佛教的护法神。