Permanent Exhibition
Selected Artworks
Our permanent exhibition is comprised of two sections: “Buddhist Art of Gandhara” and “The World of Reflection.” The Buddhist Art of Gandhara features illustrated biographies of the Buddha sculpted in the second and third centuries. They depict important milestones in the Buddha’s previous lives and his life as Śākyamuni – birth, renunciation, teaching, and nirvana. The World of Reflection, the main part of the gallery, is a spatial representation of a temple hall. The statue of Seated Mahāvairocana (Dainichi Nyorai) at the center, Seated Acalanātha (Fudo Myo-o), and the Mandala of the Two Realms create a space for quiet reflection open to all visitors. Seated Cintāmaṇicakra Avalokiteśvara (Nyoirin Kannon) and the two standing attendants Kiṃkara and Ceṭaka (collectively Nidoji) became a new addition to The World of Reflection in November 2023.
Seated
Mahāvairocana
(Dainichi Nyorai)
- Kamakura period,
ca.Kenkyu 4(1193)
Important cultural property - Mahāvairocana of the Diamond Realm attributed to Unkei
Seated
Cintāmaṇicakra
Avalokiteśvara
(Nyoirin Kannon)
- Heian period, 10th century
- Unlike the typical royal ease position, this bodhisattva takes a rare half-lotus seated posture of having the right leg folded and the left leg pendant.
Seated
Acalanātha
(Fudo Myo-o)
- Heian period, 12th century
- Formerly the principal image of Fumon-in, a subtemple of Daigoji in Kyoto
Standing
Nidoji
(Kiṃkara, Ceṭaka)
- Heian period, 11th - 12th century
- Kiṃkara and Ceṭaka are a pair of acolytes accompanying Acalanātha. They were created separately from the Museum’s Acalanātha image.
Seated Buddha in Dharmacakra Mudra
- Ca. 3rd century
- Seated cross-legged on a lotus pedestal, the Buddha has both hands raised in front of his chest forming the dharmacakra or preaching mudra.
The Diamond Realm Mandala
- Reiwa 6 (2024)
- The Diamond Realm Mandala divides the process leading to the attainment of supreme truth into nine stages with Mahāvairocana, the Cosmic Buddha, in the center and depicts various deities of tathāgatas and bodhisattvas. The Womb Realm Mandala is also on view.
April 23-August 31, 2025