United States or Mauritius ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The Gon-gen in the Processions. In rich costume, decoration, and representation most of the cultus-objects were marvels of art and skill. More interesting than anything else, however, were the male and female figures, set high upon triumphal cars having many tiers, and arrayed in characteristic primeval, ancient, medieval, or early modern dress. Some were of scowling, others of benign visage.
The common people speak of him as Gon-gen Sama, the latter word being an honorary form of address for all beings from a baby to a Bosatsu. In a large sense, this feat of priestly dexterity was but the repetition in history, of that of Asanga with the Brahmanism and Buddhism of India three centuries before. It was this Asanga who wrote the Yoga-chara Bhumi.
In some years, everyone of the eight hundred and eight streets of Yedo sent its contribution of men, money, decorations, or vehicles. Especially were those divine personages called Gon-gen worth the study of the foreign observer. To this spirit and image he prayed; in his honor he made offerings; his wrath he feared; and his smile he hoped to win, for the Gon-gen was a divine being.
Out of the eight millions or so of native gods, several hundred were catalogued under the general term Gon-gen, or temporary manifestations of Buddha. In this list are to be found not only the heroes of local tradition, but even deified forces of nature, such as wind and fire.
Word Of The Day