Muchaku (Sanskrit: Asanga) is an important Buddhist philosopher who established the Yoga Practice in 4th century India. He is venerated as a Bodhisattva, and the founder of the Hosso Shu sect in Japan. Along with his brother Seshin (Sanskrit: Vasubandhu), Muchaku composed many Mahayana scriptures, his great contribution was the development of the teachings of Maitreya, and analysis of the alaya-vijñana, (Eight Consciousnesses) that sets forth of the bhumi (stages) leading to the Buddhahood. In recent history, the Hosso Shu is by large maintained by the Zen and Shingon sects. The representations of Seshin and Muchaku are sometimes found only in old shrines of the Maitreya triads. A small gilded gesso wood carving of Muchaku for home shrine as depicted in this figure is considerably rare.