National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

The Mandala of the One-Syllable Golden Wheel is the principal image of worship in the esoteric Buddhist Ritual of the One-Syllable Golden Wheel to invoke respect and love as well as avert disaster. Performing the ritual was initially restricted to the abbot of Tōji Temple, however, it was regularly performed at Ninnaji Temple and Enshūji Temple from the latter half of the 11th century onward during the mid-Heian period (794–1185). The esoteric Tendai school used the mandala as well.

This painting is based on the following esoteric ritual protocol translated by Amoghavajra (705–774): “Ritual Protocol of Becoming Buddha through Recitation, Anytime, Anywhere, by the Yoga of the One-Syllable Wheel-Turning Ruler” in the Vajraśekhara Sutra (J. Kongōchō kyō). In it, the Buddha Dainichi of the Golden Wheel (J. Dainichi Kinrin) sits in the center on a lion pedestal while making the wisdom-fist mudra with a flaming mandorla behind him. A “wheel treasure” (J. rinbō; Sk. cakraratna) is placed before him and the seven treasures are placed clockwise, beginning with a jewel, followed by a jewel-like woman, a horse, an elephant, a t reasure house official, a military official, and the Goddess of the Buddha’s Eye (Skt. Buddhalocanā).

The Buddha Dainichi of the Golden Wheel is depicted with fair skin outlined in dark red with red shading, giving the figure a curved, supple appearance. The robes are beige with scattered patterns in cut gold leaf and colored pigments. The buddha’s personal ornaments are richly decorative, with metallic accents in materials like cut gold leaf. The warm colors in dense pigments are not only elegant but also emanate a sense of strength, which is a particular highlight of the work. In the background, the upper area is painted blue to express an empty void, and the lower area is painted blue with a checkered pattern rendered in cut gold leaf.