Words-and-Pictures: The Buddhas of the Five Directions

Note: This selection of Words-and-Pictures was made on September 21, 2001, as I walked on the Old Tokaido.

The Buddhas of the Five Directions (Jp.  Gochi Nyorai) are between Okabe and Fujieda in Shizuoka Prefecture.  These are Stations #21 and 22 respectively (from Tokyo) on the Old Tokaido Highway.  You can read about my visit to the Gochi Nyorai in my Logbook.

First, I want to prove that these guys really are in a parking lot.

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Here's a group shot, head on.  Read on to hear about a mystery.

Below I have shown the boys from left to right (according to name plates hanging above them), along with some information about each one.

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• Japanese Name: Kaifuke-o (Houshou) Nyorai
• Chinese Name: Baosheng Rulai
• Sanskrit Name: Ratnasambhava
• Meaning of Name: The Jewel-born One, Origin of Jewels
• Direction: The Buddha of the South

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• Japanese Name: Hodo (Ashuku) Nyorai
• Chinese Name: Achu Rulai
• Sanskrit Name: Akshobhya
• Meaning of Name: Immovable, Unshakable
• Direction: The Buddha of the East

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• Japanese Name: Dainichi Nyorai
• Chinese Name: Dari Rulai
• Sanskrit Name: Vairochana
• Meaning of Name: He Who Is Like the Sun, The Radiating One
• Direction: The Buddha of the Center

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• Japanese Name: Fukujoju (Shaka) Nyorai
• Chinese Name: Bukongchengjiu Rulai
• Sanskrit Name: Amoghasiddhi
• Meaning of Name: Almighty Conqueror, He Who Unerringly Achieves His Goal
• Direction: The Buddha of the North

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• Japanese Name: Amida Nyorai
• Chinese Name: Amituo Rulai
• Sanskrit Name: Amitabha
• Meaning of Name: Infinite Light
• Direction: The Buddha of the West

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Now, here's the mystery: behind each figure sits another figure.  The hand-gestures (mudras) are identical, leading me to believe this is a second set of the same Buddhas.  But why?  Why are they seated behind?  Is there an esoteric meaning?  Or is it just storage?  Your ideas would be appreciated.

[Note: In 2003, one of my professors suggested that these represent emanations of the Buddhas, like ripples in a pond.]

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Posted October 1, 2019