地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

The Five Great Kokūzō Bodhisattvas and Aizen Myō-ō

Five mounted deities are enshrined in Kanchi-in’s main hall. The statues were brought back from China in the ninth century by Eun (798–869), a Shingon monk and student of Kūkai (774–835). These deities are manifestations of the Five Great Buddhas who appear at the center of the of the Diamond World Mandala, one of the two main mandalas used in Shingon Buddhism. The central figure, riding a horse, represents Dainichi Nyorai, the cosmic or primordial Buddha. The others ride a lion, an elephant, a peacock, and a garuda—a mythical bird with origins in Hinduism.

Another notable statue in the main hall depicts Aizen Myō-ō, a red-skinned, six-armed Wisdom King—one of a group of wrathful-looking deities who safeguard Buddhism by chastising the wicked and disciplining the faithful. The statue dates from the Edo period (1603–1867). Surprisingly, perhaps, given Aizen Myō-ō’s fearsome appearance, devotees pray to him for good marriages and peaceful homes.

五大虛空藏菩薩及愛染明王

真言宗僧人——惠運（798-869）是空海（774-835）的弟子，觀智院本堂內所供奉的五大虛空藏菩薩像，皆是他於9世紀自大唐求得。真言宗常用的曼荼羅，共有兩類，這裡便是其中之一，表現位處金剛界曼荼羅中心的五菩薩（五智如來的化身）。其他諸佛分別以獅子、象、孔雀、迦樓羅（印度教神鳥）為坐騎，而根本佛大日如來則乘坐馬匹，居於正中。

此外，江戶時代（1603-1867）所製的愛染明王坐像也位於本堂內，相當值得一看。愛染明王即佛教護法，常怒容滿面，司調伏諸惡、教化眾生之職，亦可賜婚姻良緣，保佑闔家平安，被譽為赤面六臂的智慧之王。

五大虚空藏菩萨及爱染明王

观智院本堂内所供奉的五大虚空藏菩萨像，为空海（774-835）弟子、真言宗僧人——惠运（798-869）于9世纪自大唐求得。真言宗常用的曼荼罗，共有两类，这里便是其中之一，表现位处金刚界曼荼罗中心的五菩萨（五智如来的化身）。根本佛大日如来乘坐马匹，居于正中，而其他诸佛，则分别以狮子、象、孔雀、迦楼罗（印度教神鸟）为坐骑。

本堂内，另有赤面六臂的智慧之王——爱染明王坐像，为江户时代（1603-1867）制作，值得一观。爱染明王即佛教护法，常怒容满面，司调伏诸恶、教化众生之职，亦可赐婚姻良缘，佑合家平安。