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Handbook on Viewing Buddhist Statues
A totally wonderful
book, by Ishii Ayako.
The 2nd image
shown on this page
was scanned from
this book; Japanese language only; 192 pages; 80 or so
color photos.
Click here to
buy book at Amazon
Japanese Text Below
仏像の見方ハンドブック
石井 亜矢子 (著)
by Ishii Ayako
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Miroku (Sanskrit = Maitreya)
Buddha of the Future | Bodhisattva of the Present
Can be depicted as either a Buddha or Bodhisattva.
Origin = India
Last Update July 2006 = Added Text
Sanskrit, Chinese, and Japanese Spellings
 Miroku is already prominent in Japan by the 7th century AD. By the 9th century, Miroku becomes extremely popular among believers of the Shingon Sect, a form of Esoteric Buddhism. Founded by Kobo Daishi (774 to 835 AD), who visited China and brought back the teachings, the Shingon sect believes that, far in the future, Miroku Bodhisattva will become a Buddha, and then appear on earth to save those unable to achieve enlightenment, thus bringing universal salvation to all sentient beings.
Even today, Shingon followers are awaiting Miroku's return, scheduled to occur 5.6 billion years after the death of Shaka Nyorai (the Historical Buddha), the latter generally given in modern times as 483 BC.
The Buddha of the Future
In Buddhist lore, the Days of the Dharma (Buddhist Law) are divided into three periods, called the Three Periods of the Law (Jp. = 三時 sanji, shouzoumatsu, shozomatsu). There are various schemes used to represent the Days of the Dharma, with varying lengths for each period, but the below scheme is the most widely recognized in Japan. Below text gives the Japanese spellings.
 First phase (Age of Shoubou 正法、 しょうぼう), which lasts 1,000 years following the death of the Historical Buddha, whose death was generally given as 949 BC in the old calendar. The first phase symbolizes the Turning of the Wheel of the Law (a metaphor for teaching the way to enlightenment); the first phase refers to the spread and acceptance of Buddhist teachings; sometimes known as the "Age of Correct Law," it was considered a golden age, when followers had the capacity to understand and practice the Buddhist teachings.
- Second phase (Age of Zoubou 象法、ぞうほう), which lasts 1,000 years; during this period the practice of the Law begins to deteriorate. Also called the "Age of Copied Law" or the "Age of the Imitation Law."
- Last phase (the Age of Mappou 末法、まっぽう), which lasts 3,000 years; during this period, the practice of the Law declines until no one follows the Buddhist tenets; also called the "Age of the Decline of the Law." Commonly spelled in English as "Mappo."
NOTE: Says Robert E. Morrell, in his wonderful book "Kamakura Buddhism, A Minority Report:" Asian Humanities Press, Berkeley, California, 1987; ISBN 0-89581-849-3:
In China, the Period of the True Law (shobou, shobo) was generally understood to have been the interval of 500 years after the death of the Historical Buddha, during which his followers had the capacity both to understand and to practice the Dharma. According to the calculations of the time, the Buddha left this life in the year 949 BC of the Western calendar, so this first period would have continued through 449 BC. The thousand-year Period of the Imitation Law (Zoubou, Zobo), during which there would be understanding of the teaching but deteriorating practice, would then continue through 551 AD (since the year 1 AD immediately follows 1 BC). The year 552 AD would then be the first of 10,000 years (although the most common schemes use a 500/1000 pattern) constituting the Period of the Decline of the Law (Mappou, Mappo), during which both understanding and practice would disappear. The chief proponent of this view in China was Hsin-hsing (Jp. = Shingyou, 540-594 AD). His sect of the Three Stages (Jp. = Sangaikyou) was short-lived, but provides an instructive parallel to later Japanese developments. <Morrell also says in his footnotes: "Is it mere coincidence that the Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki, 720 AD) gives 552 AD as the year of the first official introduction of Buddhism to Japan?>
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Buddha of Three Worlds
(Jp. = Sanze Butsu)
Jizo Bosatsu promised to remain in this world until the advent of Miroku Buddha
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Regardless of the scheme used, in the very last period, Buddhism will weaken and fade, but a new Buddha will then appear to once again "turn the wheel of the law" and bring universal salvation to all sentient beings. This Future Buddha is Maitreya (Miroku). Technically speaking, Miroku is a Bodhisattva who resides in the Tusita heaven -- the place where Bodhisattva dwell before incarnation -- but Miroku is still considered a Buddha in light of Miroku's impending arrival. This explains why Miroku can be represented as either a Bodhisattva or Buddha. Nonetheless, it is rather unclear why Japan's Shingon Sect believes Miroku Buddha will appear 5.6 billion years following the death of the Historical Buddha. According to the timeframe set forth in the Days of the Dharma, isn't that supposed to be around 4000 AD?
 Miroku Artwork in Japan
In Japan, the majority of Miroku artwork depicts Miroku as a Bodhisattva -- not sure if this holds true outside Japan. Also, in Japan, the Miroku Bodhisattva is typically shown seated, with the finger of the right hand touching the cheek, as if in deep meditation or musing, and the ankle of the right foot resting atop the left knee. The left hand is typically shown resting on the ankle of the right foot. These are characteristic of Miroku statuary -- indeed, the half-lotus sitting position and cheek-touching gesture are rarely found on other Buddha and Bodhisattva statues. Sometimes Miroku's hands form the Fear Not Mudra and Charity Mudra, much like the Historical Buddha, for Miroku is the future heir to the Buddha of the Present, who is none other than Shaka Buddha (the Historical Buddha). Since Miroku will return as the Buddha of the Future, statues of Miroku are not generally portrayed with the ornaments, princely clothing, and headdresses found on most Bodhisattva statues. Rather, Miroku Bodhisattva is generally portrayed in a form more akin to a Buddha (i.e., simple clothing, unadorned, without an elaborate headdress). To help you differentiate between the Nyorai (Buddha) and Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) versions of Miroku, just remember that Bosatsu statues are typically ornate, wearing crowns and jewelry and princely clothes. In contrast, statues of the Nyorai are typically unadorned and dressed in the simple robe of a monk. This guideline doesn't always work, of course, but in often yields a correct assessment of the deity.
Jizo Bodhisattva vowed to remain on earth doing good deeds until the advent of Miroku in the distant future. Along with Kannon Bodhisattva, Jizo is perhaps the most popular deity of the common people in Japan today, a friend to all, never frightening, even to children. Jizo's many manifestations -- often cute and cartoon-like in modern Japan -- incorporate attributes from both Buddhist and Shinto traditions. See the Jizo page for details.
Above: Sanskrit Seed Syllable for Miroku
Pronounced "YU" in Japan
Mantra for Miroku in Japan
Miroku Nyorai, 9th Century, Todai-ji, Nara
Photo Courtesy of book entitled
The Concise History of Japanese Buddhist Sculpture (page 071)
Bijutsu Shuppan-Sha, ISBN 4-568-40061-9
http://www.bijutsu.co.jp
Miroku Nyorai, Jison-in, Wakayama Pref., Heian Era
Photo Courtesy of book Hidden Buddhas of Japan (page 78)
Corona Books, ISBN 4-582-63395-1
Miroku Bosatsu, 7th Century, Kyoto, National Treasure
Kouryuu-ji Temple, Wood, H = 84.2 cm
Photo Courtesy of book entitled
Concise History of Japanese Buddhist Sculpture (page 015)
Bijutsu Shuppan-Sha, ISBN 4-568-40061-9
http://www.bijutsu.co.jp
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BELOW TEXT COURTESY SHINGON WEB SITE
http://www.shingon.org/deities/jusanbutsu/miroku.html
There are many different forms or images of the Maitreya, yet many of these forms of Maitreya show a stupa in the crown. This contains a sarira or real relic of the Buddha Sakyamuni. In the Shingon Tradition, it is taught that this stupa represents Mahavairocana (Dainichi) Buddha.
Maitreya Bodhisattva is the buddha who saves the world of the future. Sakyamuni was born in this world 2,500 years ago and preached the teachings of salvation for all humanity. After the passage of 5,670,000,000 years into the future after the death of Sakyamuni, Maitreya Bodhisattva will appear in the world and save all beings who have lost their way. At that time, a flower known as the Dragon Blossom will bloom, and Maitreya Bodhisattva will convene a gathering three times to preach the teachings and save the world. This is referred to as the Three Gatherings of the Dragon Blossom.
Another name for Maitreya Bodhisattva is Jishi Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of compassion, and this is because he vowed to save all beings in the world with a mind of compassion.
Kobo Daishi (774 to 835 AD), the real-life founder of the Japanese Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism, resides in the Tusita Heaven, which is the pure land of Maitreya Bodhisattva, and he guarantees Maitreya's vow, having attained salvation in this present world. It is for this reason that Kobo Daishi is said to grant salvation during the time between the death of Sakyamuni and the appearance of Maitreya, and is a source of great spiritual light as the Bodhisattva between these two Buddhist deities.
Editor's Note: In some traditions, Jizo Bosatsu was entrusted by the Historical Buddha to save others between the time of the Buddha's death and the arrival of Miroku. But according to this Shingon web site, Kobo Daishi has taken over this task from Jizo.
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MORE PHOTOS OF MIROKU
 
Miroku Bosatsu (Two views of same statue)
7th Century AD, Wood, Chuuguuji Temple 中宮寺 (Nara)
87 cm in height, Made of Japanese Cinnamon Wood
  
Miroku Bosatsu (All copper with gold plating)
(L) Three Kingdoms Era, 6th - 7th Century AD
Houryuu-ji Temple, 20.4 cm in height
(M) 7th Century, Kanmatsu-in Temple, 16.4 cm in height
(R) 7th Century AD, Houryuu-ji Temple, 23.6 cm in height
 
(L) Miroku Bosatsu, 7th Century AD
Houryuu-ji Temple, Copper with Gold Plating, H = 22 cm
(R) Miroku Bosatsu, Early 7th C. AD
Wood, Kouryuu-ji Temple, H = 66.4 cm
ABOVE SEVEN PHOTOS COURTESY:
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Exploring the Beauty of Japan #11
July 9th, 2002
40+ pages, 70+ color photos
Japanese Language Only
Publisher: 小学館、東京都千代田区
一ツ橋 2-3-1, TEL: 03-3230-5118
Wonderful magazine featuring treasures of Houryuu-ji Templei. Some photos at this site were scanned from this magazine.
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Miroku Bosatsu, Wood with Pigment
Located inside the Sangyou-in at Houryuu-ji Temple
Heian Era, 9th Century, H = 97 cm
Above Photo Courtesy:
Showa Inventory of Houryuu-ji Temple, Page 62
The Exhibition of the Treasures of Houryuu-ji Temple.
法隆寺昭和資財帳調査完成記念 -- 国宝法隆寺展
Exhibition Catalog, 1994. Exhibition held in turn at
the Nara and Tokyo National Museums, and then the
Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Sendai Municipal Museums.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MIROKU 彌勒菩薩
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