Aki Meguri: Words and Pictures


Words-and-Pictures: The Buddhas of the Five Directions (Gochi Nyorai) (as seen on September 21st, 2001, on the Old Tokaido stage of the Aki Meguri)
Note: The Gochi Nyorai are between Okabe and Fujieda in Shizuoka Prefecture. These are Stations #21 and 22 respectively (from Tokyo) on the Old Tokaido Highway. You can read about my visit to the Gochi Nyorai in my Logbook. You may also choose to start reading about my Tokaido journey at the beginning, or start at the top of my Aki Meguri pages.
	First, I want to prove that these guys really are in a parking lot.
Here's a group shot, head on. Read on to hear about a mystery. Below I have shown the boys from left to right (according to name plates hanging above them), along with some information about each one.
	Japanese Name: Kaifuke-o (Houshou) Nyorai Sanskrit Name: Ratnasambhava Meaning of Name: The Jewel-born One, Origin of Jewels Direction: The Buddha of the South
Japanese Name: Hodo (Ashuku) Nyorai Sanskrit Name: Akshobhya Meaning of Name: Immovable, Unshakable Direction: The Buddha of the East
	Japanese Name: Dainichi Nyorai Sanskrit Name: Vairochana Meaning of Name: He Who Is Like the Sun, The Radiating One Direction: The Buddha of the Center
Japanese Name: Fukujoju (Shaka) Nyorai Sanskrit Name: Amoghasiddhi Meaning of Name: Almighty Conqueror, He Who Unerringly Achieves His Goal Direction: The Buddha of the North Note: This is the historical Buddha
	Japanese Name: Amida Nyorai Sanskrit Name: Amitabha Meaning of Name: Infinite Light Direction: The Buddha of the West
Now, here's the mystery: behind each figure sits another figure. The hand-gestures (mudras) are identical, leading me to believe this is a second set of the same Buddhas. But why? Why are they seated behind? Is there an esoteric meaning? Or is it just storage? Your ideas would be appreciated. [Note: One of my professors has suggested that these represent emanations of the Buddhas, like ripples in a pond.]