Hoshi-No-Tama

Mani, the Sacred Jewel (Shansi in Chinese; Shinshi in Japanese) is that one of the Sapta Rapta (Seven Treasures) which is the emblematic symbol of the Buddha and his doctrine. Defined as a supernatural pearl, spherical, self-luminous, and of unfading lustre, it sheds a brilliant light on all its surroundings and is therefore an appropriate simile for the Enlightenment which Buddhists seek. In the Iconography of the Far East this fabulous gem is an attribute of several persons in the Ruddhist hierarchy; the principal one being K'shitigarhba (Chin: Ti Sang, Jap: Jizo Bosatsu) who is the Bodhisattva of Compassionate Help in the same way that Avalokitesvara (Chin: Kwanyin, Jap: Kwannon) is the Bodhisattva of Mercy. The latter may at times be shown as a holder of the Jewel-see for an example, the well-known Yumadono Kwannon of Horiuji (1)-but more often her chosen attribute is a slender vase. One of the sixteen Arhats (Chin: Lohan, Jap: Rakan) is also represented holding the Sacred Jewel in his hand. This is Panthaka, the tenth on the list, whose constant companion is a Dragon-the divinely appointed guardian of the Gem. Sometimes a Dragon alone holds the Gem in his claw: sometimes the Gem appears in solitary splendour with two Dragons in the role of heraldic supporters on either side. The illusion that they are fighting for it (like the Lion and Unicorn) is due to the querulous expression Dragons habitually wear, and not necessarily to rivalry

Ancient history · Art · Art history · Bodhisattva · Buddhism · Chin · Emblem · Gautama Buddha · Iconography · Literature · Metaphor · Painting · Simile · Theology · Anatomy · Eurasian Exchange Networks · Global Maritime and Colonial Histories · History · Japanese History and Culture · Philosophy