Painting

Temple hanging scroll. Illuminated painting of Dainichi Nyorai (Maha Vairochana Tathagata). Chinese name, Dari Rulai, meaning Great Light. Golden body, seated on a padmasana (lotus throne), against a pale rose colored nimbus, and wearing a five wisdom crown with five small Buddha images. The positions of the hands are supposed to express one of mystical gradations of meditation (samadha) or ecstasy. Above the crown is a a black prayer disk with golden bonji (Sanskrit) characters. Below the large disc is two smaller discs each with a Sanskrit character. The one on the left, uun, symbolizes Aizen Myoo and the one one the right, kan, Fudo Myoo. Dainichi Nyorai is supported by an upright golden vajra emblem called a toko-sho or single prong vajra resting on a goko-sho or five prong vajra. These are supported beneath by a lotus pedestal.