曇曜五窟と『法華経』

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This paper presents an interpretation of the origin of each of the five great Buddhas in the Yun-gang grottoes situated in Shan-xi Province in China. The grottoes (cave 16-20) are usually known as the Five grottoes of Tan-yao. In each grotto we can find the same relief of Prabhutaratna (Jap.Taho) and Shakyamuni Buddhas, also known as the two "Thus Come Ones", who are seated in the niche of the Tower of Seven Treasures. This is described in chapter 11 of the Lotus Sutra, "Emergence of the Treasure Tower". It can therefore be assumed that there is a connection between the five grottoes and the Lotus Sutra and the features which can be found in each cave will be described in turn. Cave 16 The right hand of the great Buddha shows a sign meaning that he has no fear and the left hand shows a snapping of the figures. In chapter 21 of the Lotus Sutra, "Supernatural Powers of the Thus Come One", we can find the descriptions of these features of Shakyamuni and the Buddhas. Cave 17 The great statue seated with crossed legs wearing a large crown is known as Maitreya Bodhisattva, who is promised to become a Buddha after Shakyamuni. In chapter 15 of the Lotus Sutra, "Emerging from the Earth" we can find the description of this prophesy. Concerning the two attending Buddhas, standing and sitting, they can be considered as different representations of Shakyamuni Buddha. One is preaching the Lotus Sutra, and the other is sitting silently for an interval of fifty small kalpas. Cave 18 The standing great Buddha whose gown is decorated with many emanated Buddhas should represent the preaching Shakyamuni Buddha. In chapter 11 of the Lotus Sutra, "Emergence of the Treasure Tower", we can find the description of this scene. It can be assumed that the attending Buddhas bringing great Bodhisattvas with them are representations of those described in the same chapter. Cave 19 We can regard the shape of this cave as one of the hollow niches. The reason is that similar hollow niches representing treasure towers can be found on the wall of the grottoes. Therefore, cave 19 probably represents a treasure tower in which we can find Prabhutaratna (Jap. Taho) Buddha. Attending Buddhas seated on each side of the cave can be regarded as representations of Prabhutaratna Buddha preaching in the three realms of existence. Cave 20 In this cave we see the great Buddha seated in meditation. The attending statues represent Buddhas, not Bodhisattvas. We can see the same scene in cave 5 of the Yun-gang grottoes. It has niches of 16 Buddhas that can be found in chapter 7 of the Lotus Sutra, in the story of the 16 princes, sons of the Buddha named Great Universal Wisdom Excellent Thus Come One. We can therefore consider that the scenes in cave 20 and in cave 5 are based on the same source, the story of the meditation of the Buddha in chapter 7. In conclusion the five great Buddhas in the Yun-gang grottoes should be considered as the Buddhas of the Lotus Sutra of Mahayana Buddhism, with the concept of the three realms of existence in the background, and the down to earth assertion that the dynasty of the Buddhas equals that of the Emperors.
創価大学の論文

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小山満
創価大学

曇曜五窟と『法華経』

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