Fire God's Lantern is a photograph by Jean Hall which was uploaded on September 14th, 2015.
Title
Fire God's Lantern
Artist
Jean Hall
Medium
Photograph - Digitally Manipulated Photography, Abstract
Description
Stroll through the moss garden outside the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) in Kyoto, Japan, and you will reach this paper lantern, which announces a small shrine housing a stone statue of Fudo-Myoo and his servants.
Fudo (also known as Acala -- and by other names in India, where he originated as a Hindu god) is one of the Buddhist deities known as the Five Bright Kings. His name means "the immovable wisdom king," and he is a wrathful god with a rather frightening appearance, including two fangs -- but also a fierce protector of Buddhism and its true adherents.
In his right hand, he carries a sword to cut through ignorance and delusion. In his left hand is a rope to restrain violent passions and subdue the devils of evil. Behind his swirls a purifying fire, which burns away worldly desires. His skin is usually depicted as a very dark blue, and he often has a third eye, representing his ability to see all.
Fudo also serves as a guide for deceased souls, and as such, presides over Buddhist funeral ceremonies.
Uploaded
September 14th, 2015
