Muchaku Seshin　無著・世親

KEY WORD :　art history / iconography

Asanga and Vasubandhu, two 5c Indian brothers instrumental in founding the Hossou 法相 school of Buddhism. Asanga (Jp: Muchaku 無著, also written 無着 and read Mujaku, lit. Unattached) and Vasubandhu (Jp: Seshin 世親, lit. Akin to the world), from Peshawar, were originally Hinayanists but became seminal theorists in the Mahayana tradition. Asanga advocated the theory of conciousness-only, yuishiki 唯識 (Sk: vijnanamatra) and the importance of yogic medication in his Treatise on Yoga, YUGARON 瑜伽論 (Sk: Yogacharyabhumi), and is considered the founder of the Hossou school as well as one of the Five Patriarchs of the Kegon 華厳 sect. Vasubandhu authored the Abhidharmakosa KUSHARON 倶舎論 and formed the basis of the Kusha 倶舎 sect, which was appended to the Hossou school in Japan. He is also associated with the Sukhavati-vyuha, JOUDORON 浄土論 a key theoretical tract in the development of Pure Land joudo 浄土 Buddhism, which inspired Tanluan (Jp: Donran 曇鸞; 476-542) and Shantao (Jp: *Zendou 善導; 613-81). Thus Vasubandhu is considered one of the Seven Patriarchs of Joudoshin 浄土真 sect. The wooden sculpture portraits of Asanga and Vasubandhu by Unkei 運慶 (1151-1223) from 1208-12 at Koufukuji *Hokuendou 興福寺北円堂 in Nara, are two highpoints in Kamakura period sculpture.

REFERENCES:

*Hossou Rokuso 法相六祖

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