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Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Japan
Accession Number
AS10-1971
Department
Asian Art
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation
Physical description
Mandala in Sanskrit literally means ‘circle’ and in Hindu and Esoteric Buddhist traditions these images are sacred art objects used to depict teachings and philosophies. These two mandala have been produced in direct lineage from the revered ninth century Ryōkai Mandala (Two World Mandala) housed at Tō-ji temple, Kyoto. Representing the entire Buddhist cosmos, they are depictions of the spiritual universe and its myriad of realms and deities. Kongōkai (the Diamond World) represents the world of the transcendental Buddha. It is called the Diamond World because it embodies a crystal clear and solid truth of the universe. Dainichi Buddha’s paramount importance is expressed by his position in the centre of each of the nine groupings of lesser Buddha that represent aspects of his infinite wisdom.