The set of eighth-century objects known as the “Tōdaiji Golden Hall Platform Pacifying Objects” (Tōdaiji Kondō chindangu 東大寺金堂鎮壇具; “Tōdaiji objects”) is among the earliest concrete evidence of ritual practice in the Nara period. This study reveals how the Tōdaiji objects transformed the space inside the temple’s colossal central statue of the Vairocana Buddha into a symbolic heavenly realm where the deceased would traverse to arrive at Vairocana’s Pure Land. Close analysis of the Tōdaiji objects within Sovereigns Shōmu’s and Kōken’s religiopolitical applications of the Kegon teaching strengthens Okumura Hideo’s argument that Kōken orchestrated the emplacement of these objects in the year 757 as part of commemorating the one-year anniversary of Shōmu’s death. I argue that the Tōdaiji objects encapsulated Kōken’s filial piety towards her father, Shōmu, by praying for his swift ascension to Vairocana’s Pure Land. The objects furthermore served as a reenactment of Buddhist repentance that not only ensured Shōmu’s salvation, but also the prosperity of Kōken’s new reign.
目次
Abstract 1 Keywords 1 1. Introduction 1 2. Vairocana’s Universe on the Bronze Pedestal 4 3. Stabilizing Imperial Sovereignty through Kegon Teaching 9 4. Tōdaiji Objects Transform Inside the Pedestal into Vairocana’s Universe 12 5. Tōdaiji Objects and Buddhist Benevolence as Kōken’s Filial Act 17 6. Transgressions, Repentance, and Tōdaiji Objects 20 7. Conclusions 23 Notes 24 References 27
