10-Minute Guide to Understanding Toji Temple’s Three-Dimensional Mandala
I've always been fascinated by mandalas, especially the three-dimensional mandala in Toji Temple's Lecture Hall. Before visiting, I wondered what a 3D mandala could look like. Is it an ancient Indian religious structure? Or a finely carved three-dimensional altar? Upon entering the Lecture Hall, I was enlightened. It’s actually a structured arrangement of 21 Buddha statues forming a three-dimensional layout.
00:00 Origins of Mandala
00:43 Kyoto's Toji Temple
01:52 Toji Temple's Golden Hall
04:22 Toji Temple's Lecture Hall
05:40 The Three-Dimensional Mandala
07:45 Deities
09:14 Bodhisattvas
10:17 Myo-o (Wisdom Kings)
The three-dimensional mandala is located in the Lecture Hall of Toji Temple. The hall, built to preserve esoteric Buddhism, is the culmination of Kobo Daishi’s life work. The building measures 34 meters wide and 15 meters deep and is considered the central structure of the temple. Dainichi Nyorai (Mahavairocana) is positioned at the center, symbolizing the cosmic center. This mandala is a geometric pattern created by practitioners to aid in concentration and tranquility. Over time, mandalas evolved into richly symbolic art forms. By the 7th century, Indian Buddhist master Nagarjuna had founded Esoteric Buddhism, which spread widely, incorporating local religious and folk elements, including mandalas, which became seen as powerful spiritual diagrams representing the worldview of Esoteric Buddhism.
Originally, a mandala signified “circle” or “encirclement.” In many cultures and religions, circles symbolize infinity and continuity, without a clear beginning or end, representing the unbroken cycle of life and death. In Buddhism, the circle also signifies completeness and sufficiency, embodying the entirety of the Dharma.
As mandalas evolved, they incorporated complex imagery of various Bodhisattvas, Wisdom Kings, protective deities, and introduced many symbols and mantras, expressing the doctrines and practices of Esoteric Buddhism. Mandalas, depending on the era and sect, further diversified.
In Esoteric Buddhism, mandalas graphically depict the cosmic truth and the state of enlightenment through systematic arrangement of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. They include two main types: the Taizokai (Womb World) Mandala and the Kongokai (Diamond World) Mandala, representing tranquility and activity, wisdom and compassion. The coexistence of these elements establishes the worldview of Esoteric Buddhism. Thus, any artistic depiction of the Pure Land could broadly be termed a mandala.
Entering the Lecture Hall, you see 21 meticulously arranged Buddha statues. Some are standing, others seated. These statues, preserved from the Heian period, were brought back by Kobo Daishi from Tang China, representing the cutting edge of Buddha images at the time. Kobo Daishi then conceived this mandala hall, symbolizing the entire universe. From this top view, the arrangement becomes clear: the central position is occupied by Dainichi Nyorai, symbolizing the cosmic center. Surrounding are six deities, including the Four Heavenly Kings, Brahma, and Indra, guarding the central Nyorai, as well as the emanations of Dainichi Nyorai, represented by Bodhisattvas and Wisdom Kings. Facing the central Nyorai, to the right are the five main Bodhisattvas centered on Kongorikishi Bosatsu, and to the left are the five main Wisdom Kings centered on Fudo Myo-o.
The mandala in Esoteric Buddhism expresses the cosmic truth and enlightenment through systematic arrangement of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The two main types, Taizokai (Womb World) Mandala and Kongokai (Diamond World) Mandala, represent tranquility and activity, wisdom and compassion. Both elements are necessary for the Esoteric Buddhist worldview.
Kobo Daishi presented the mandala in a three-dimensional form for the world to see.
The term "mandala" is transliterated from the Sanskrit मण्डल (mandala), originally from Hinduism.
The Lecture Hall was first built in 823, taking 16 years to complete. Initially, the hall, along with the Golden Hall, was surrounded by a corridor, making for a grand architectural scale. Unfortunately, in 1486, a fire destroyed all the buildings (except for the five-story pagoda). Five years later, the Lecture Hall was the first to be rebuilt, but the Golden Hall and South Gate were only reconstructed almost 100 years later.
In 2000, while restoring the Buddha statues in the Lecture Hall, workers were surprised to find burn marks on the wooden platform beneath the statues. These marks were remnants of the initial consecration ceremony conducted by Kobo Daishi, who performed a fire ritual to sanctify the platform.
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