To the Brighter Side. New Tendencies in Erecting Statues of Bodhisattva Jizō in Japanese Buddhist Temples

To the Brighter Side. New Tendencies in Erecting Statues of Bodhisattva Jizō in Japanese Buddhist Temples

Japan is a predominantly atheistic country, however, Buddhism is still keeping its influence on society. Firstly, funerals are mostly performed according to the Buddhist ritual. Secondly, several times a year the majority of Japanese families visit their relatives’s graves in cemeteries, belonging to Buddhist temples. As a result, Buddhism is associated first of all with death and funeral. Buddhist priests try to make the image of Buddhism brighter in many ways. In this article, we will look at one of these ways – erecting statues that depict simultaneously the beloved bodhisattva Jizo, the priests themselves, visitors and the dead relatives.

На Светлую Сторону. Новые тенденции в возведении статуй бодхисаттвы Дзидзо в японских буддийских храмах

Япония – преимущественно атеистическая страна, однако буддизм по-прежнему сохраняет свое влияние на общество. Во-первых, похороны в основном совершаются по буддийскому ритуалу. Во-вторых, несколько раз в год большинство японских семей посещают могилы своих родственников на кладбищах, принадлежащих буддийским храмам. В результате буддизм ассоциируется прежде всего со смертью и похоронами. Буддийские священники разными способами пытаются сделать образ буддизма ярче. В этой статье мы рассмотрим один из таких способов – возведение статуй, изображающих одновременно возлюбленного бодхисаттву Дзидзо, самих жрецов, посетителей и умерших родственников.

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