The Mukaekō ritual at Taimadera: A living tradition of medieval Japanese pure land Buddhism
Date
2003
Authors
Dix, Monika
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Publisher
Illumine
Abstract
This article examines the religious significance of the mukaek?, an annual performance ritual held at Taimadera, which commemorates Ch?j?hime’s attainment of rebirth in Amida’s Pure Land. Focusing on the artistic, religious, historical, and social circumstances that contributed to the popularity of Pure Land Buddhism in the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the reasons behind early medieval Japanese society’s aspiration of faith in Amida and the desire to be reborn in his Pure Land are explored. My discussion of the interrelationship of history and art examines how both faith in Amida and pictorial expressions of this faith inspired the creation of the mukaek? ritual. Through this analysis, I will show that the mukaek? is a living tradition of medieval Japanese Pure Land Buddhism and a unique embodiment of mutual influences of art, religion, and history.
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Citation
Dix, M. (2003). The Mukaekō ritual at Taimadera: A living tradition of medieval Japanese pure land Buddhism. Illumine, 2(1), 17–24. https://doi.org/10.18357/illumine2120031569