Womb Realm

Womb Realm

In Vajrayana Buddhism, the Womb Realm (Skt. "garbhakosa-dhatu", Jp. 胎蔵界 "taizōkai") is the metaphysical space inhabited by the Five Wisdom Kings. The Womb Realm is based on the Mahavairocana Sutra. The name of the mandala derives from chapter 2 of the sutra, where it is said that Mahavairocana Buddha revealed the mandala's secret teachings to his disciple Vajrasattva from his "womb of compassion". [cite book | last = Abe | first = Ryuichi | title = The Weaving of Mantra: Kukai and the Construction of Esoteric Buddhist Discourse | publisher = Columbia University Press | year = 1999 | isbn = 0231112866] In other translations, the term "matrix realm" or Matrix Mandala are used. [cite book | last = Hakeda | first = Yoshito S. | title = Kūkai and His Major Works | publisher = Columbia University Press | year = 1972 | isbn = 0231059337 | pages=26]

The Womb Realm is a very popular subject for mandalas, and along with the Diamond Realm ("vajradhatu") Mandala forms the Mandala of the Two Realms. This mandala, along with the Diamond Realm, form the core of Japanese esoteric, or Shingon Buddhist, rituals, including the initiation or "abhiseka" ritual. In this ritual, new initiates are blindfolded, and are asked to toss a flower upon a mandala. Where the flower lands helps decide which Buddhist figure the student should devote themselves to. [Ibid., pg. 44]

In traditional Shingon Buddhist halls, the Womb Realm Mandala is hung on the east wall, symbolizing the young stage of Mahāvairocana Buddha. [Ibid., pg. 87] In this setting, the Diamond Realm Mandala is hung on the west wall symbolizing the final realization of Mahāvairocana Buddha.

See also

*Garbha - Dhatu - Vajradhatu

References

External links

* [http://www2.bremen.de/info/nepal/Gallery-3/Cosmos/9-6/antique.htm Mandala of the Womb World Japan, Kamakura period, 13th - 14th century] Dharmapala Thangka Centre
* [http://www2.bremen.de/info/nepal/Gallery-3/Cosmos/9-6/garbhadatu-0.htm The Diamond and Womb World Mandalas] Dharmapala Thangka Centre


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