The Bodhisattva Fugen from Illustrated Story of a Pilgrimage to Fifty-Five Deities

Todaiji temple in Nara is said to be founded on the teachings of the Flower Garland Sutra. This is a segment of an illustrated scroll based on one of the teachings contained in this sutra. The scroll was originally kept at Todaiji, but several sections were removed and remounted as hanging scrolls. The illustrated scroll depicts the life of Sudhana, a pure-hearted boy born to a rich family. Sudhana's tale begins when he sets off on a journey to discover the Buddhist teachings following instruction from Monju Bosatsu, or Manjusri in Sanskrit. Sudhana travels to meet 55 deities and saints known collectively as the Zenchishiki. He receives their teachings and finally achieves enlightenment after meeting Fugen Bosatsu, or Samantabhadra. The figure to the painting's right with hands clasped together and back turned to us is Sudhana. He is facing Fugen Bosatsu. The large figure in the center is Birushana, or Vairocana, the central Buddha of the Flower Garland Sutra.

The painting depicts the climactic scene where Sudhana is lauded for completing his monumental undertaking. The illustrated scroll recounts the names of the Zenchishiki and the places where Sudhana met them, though it does not narrate the story in detail. Perhaps it was created as an aid to studying the Flower Garland Sutra rather than as a tale to be enjoyed. The artist has used soft, ink outlines filled with restrained red, yellow, and green hues to gently portray Sudhana at the end of his single-minded quest for enlightenment. Originally part of a handscroll, this work shows the boy Sudhana, who has been in his quest for enlightenment, meets the bodhisattva Fugen. Sudhana prays before this god, with other gods — Vairocana and the bodhisattva Monju — also being miraculously present. This work shows several scenes occurred at different times — a method often adopted in illustrated scrolls.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.