10 May 2008 – 30 November 2008

Art of esoteric Buddhism

Alongside popular Amida-Buddhism and ascetic Zen-Buddhism the secret doctrine of esoteric Shingon-Buddhism is one of the most important schools of Japanese Buddhism. It was brought to Japan in the 9th century by the priest Kûkai. In esoteric Buddhism ritual plays an outstanding role, which is why it found numerous adherents among the nobility of the Heian period (794-1185). Buddhadom was to be achieved by secret prayer formulae (mantra), hand signs or gestures (mûdra) and spiritual concentration (internalisation of the mandalas) on the path to ritual initiation by a master. The exhibition will show paintings and sculpture from the museum's collection of esoteric Buddhist sculpture. In addition it will include a unique loan from a private collection: an amulet created by the Shingon-priest Hôzan Tankai (1629-1716) for the Shogun Tokugawa Ienobu (1662-1712).

Address

Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst
Universitätsstrasse 100
50674 Köln
phone +49 221 940 51 80
http://www.museenkoeln.de

Opening Hours

Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday till 8 p.m., closed on Monday.

Description of the Museum

The Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst Cologne houses art from China, Corea and Japan.
It opened 1913 as the first specialized museum of his kind in Germany.

New building opened 1977; architect: Kunio Maekawa

Within 10 days
starting exhibitions
ending exhibitions