Armed Kannon sculpture embodies the spirit of compassion. Associated with immense power and supreme divinity, Armed Kannon sculpture is widely worshiped in large parts of Asia and Japan. Armed Kannon sculpture when literally translated reads as the one who regards it all. Considered as the omniscient lord, Armed Kannon sculptures are an integral part of ancient Japanese sculpture.
Legend of Armed Kannon
Armed Kannon sculpture portrays a benevolent form of Lord Buddha the redeemer on earth. It is believed that a prayer spoken before the Armed Kannon sculpture never goes unheard. Believers of Mahayana Buddhism, consider Armed Kannon sculpture as an active emanation of Amida Buddha. Prince Shotoku Taishi and Daruma are both thought to be an inspiration of Armed Kannon sculpture.
Many believe that Armed Kannon sculpture has also had a strong influence on Zen Buddhism.
It is also believed that the Current Dalai Lama, the head of the Buddhist Religion is nothing but an incarnation of Armed Kannon.
Essentially a male goddess Armed Kannon sculpture is a specimen of the popular oriental thought that man and woman are essentially the two opposite sides of the same coin. In Japan however, the male form of Armed Kannon sculpture predominates over the female form. Known as the goddess of mercy, one can find Armed Kannon sculpture made of wood, clay and stones.
Various types of Armed Kannon sculpture
In all there are as many as thirty three forms of Armed Kannon sculpture. Each of these forms are associated with specific meaning and power. It is believed that Armed Kannon can appear in any of these forms to save the devotees from imminent trouble. In ancient Japanese sculpture, Armed Kannon sculpture is associated with the most pure and sacred form of Buddha.
Armed Kannon sculpture was worshiped in Japan even in the 7th Century. During this time Buddhism arrived in Japan via the Chinese mainland. The female form of Armed Kannon sculpture though uncommon is usually seen as accompanying Amida Buddha sculptures.
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Armed Kannon sculpture usually portrays Lord Buddha with ten heads around the main sculpture. Many believe that these ten heads in Armed Kannon sculpture represent the ten stages required for the development of man into a good soul.
The eleventh head in Armed Kannon sculpture is that of Amida Buddha. Some of the Armed Kannon sculptures also show the main sculpture with eleven arms. This often symbolizes the power of Armed Kannon in uplifting the condition of the people of earth.
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