A special exhibition of national treasures featuring Toji temple's sculpture mandala associated with the priest Kukai started Tuesday at the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo.
The sculpture mandala is a three-dimensional representation of the pantheon of Shingon Buddhism and comprises 21 Buddha statues arranged in the lecture hall of the temple in Kyoto. It is based on the ideas of Kukai, who brought Shingon esoteric teachings from China to Japan in the Heian period (late eighth century to late 12th century).
The main feature of the exhibition, "National Treasures of Toji Temple: Kukai and the Sculpture Mandala," is 15 statues of the 21, the largest number to be exhibited outside the temple.
The Ryokai (Two Realms) Mandala, a national treasure, will also be displayed at the exhibition from April 23 through May 6.
By displaying about 110 treasures of the temple, the exhibition presents the world of esoteric Buddhist art. The exhibition will be held through June 2 at the Heiseikan of the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, Tokyo.
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