'A good reference volume for the study of Buddhist art, symbolism and theory of symbols. Despite the fact that the subject is rooted in Indian art, the reference to Japanese sources opens the field to little known works which are hidden behind a language barrier.?-Alfred Bloom, Harvard Divinity School Bulletin

Appearing for the first time in paperback and illustrated with line drawings, diagrams, and 26 half-tone plates, this sudy of the inconographic aspect of Japanese Buddhist sculpture surveys the significance of eight principal and six secondary hand gestues (mudra). In addition to the postures (asana), such as the 'lotus,' and the symbolic attributes, a pictorial index helps the reader in identifying the gestures.

'In this work we have scholarship at its best by a master of the subject.'-J. Deotis Roberts, The Journal of Religious Thought

E. Dale Sanders was a lecturer at the Sorbonne, where he earened his doctorate in Far Eastern studies, and he has taught Japanese at the University of Pennsylvania. He has also lived and taught in Japan.

Contents

Mudra: A pictoral index
Preface
List of plates
List of text figures
Note on pronunciation
I Introduction
Preliminary
Definition of tems
Origins and first representations
The contributions of Tantrism
Rites
Classification
Generalities
II The principal smbolic gestures
Segan-in (Varamudra)
Semui-in (Abhayamudra)
An-i-in (Vitarkamudra)
Kongo-gassho (Vajranjalikarmamudra)
Sokuchi-in (Bhumisparsamudra)
Jo-in (Dhyanamudra)
Temborin-in (Dharmacakramudra)
Chi Ken-in (Vajramudra?)
III Six secondary mudra and the asana
Kanjo-in (Abhiseka(na)mudra)
Buppatsu-in (Buddhapatramudra?)
Basara-un-kongo-in (Vajrahumkaramudra)
Mushofushi-in
Ongyo-in
Gebaku Ken-in
Postures and throines: Za (asana)
IV The attributes
Introducion
Alms Bowl: Hahi (Patra)
Ax: Ono (Parasu)
Bell: Kane (Ghanta)
Bow and arrow: Yumi/Ya (Capa/Sara)
Conch shell: Hora (Dharma-sankha)
Fly whisk: Hossu (Camara)
Jewel: (Nyo-i)shu (Cintamani)
Lance and trident: Hoko/Sanko geki (Kunta/Trisula)
Lotus: Renge (Padma)
Mirror: Kagami (Adarsa)
Reliquary: Sotoba (Stupa)
Rope: Kensaku (Pasa)
Rosary: Nenju (Mata)
Scroll and brush: O-kyo/Fude (Pustaka)
Sistrum: Shakujo (Khakkhara)
Sword: Ken (Khadga)
Vajra: Kongo-sho (Vajra)
Vase: Byo (Kalasa)
Notes
Bibliography and abbreviations
Index