Womb Realm Mandala
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Womb Realm Mandala
胎蔵界曼荼羅 (Jpn taizokai-mandara )
Also, Womb World Mandala. One of the two mandalas of Esoteric Buddhism, the other being the Diamond Realm Mandala.
Derived from the Mahavairochana Sutra, it represents the fundamental principle of the Universe, the Dharma Body of Mahavairochana Buddha. In contrast, the Diamond Realm Mandala, based on the Diamond Crown Sutra, depicts the Diamond Realm, which represents Mahavairochana Buddha's Wisdom.
The version of the Womb Realm Mandala, prevalent in Japan, was introduced from China by Kobo(774-835), the founder of the True Word (Shingon) school.
This Mandala depicts twelve great halls or courts, with the court of the eight-petaled Lotus at its center. Mahavairochana Buddha is seated in the center of the Lotus, while four Buddhas and Four bodhisattvas sit on the surrounding petals.
The four Buddhas are Jeweled Banner in the east, Florescence King in the south, Infinite Life in the west, and Heavenly Drum Thunder in the north.
The Four bodhisattvas are Universal Worthy in the southeast, Manjushri in the southwest, Perceiver of the World's Sounds in the northwest, and Maitreya in the north-east.
These eight Buddhas and Bodhisattvas represent the virtues of Mahavairochana Buddha. Mahavairochana and the other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in this central court are together called the "Nine honored ones on the eight-petaled lotus."