Origin: Japan. Circa: Taisho, early 1900s'
H 7.75 in.(20cm), W 4 in.(10cm), D 2.5 in.(6.3cm)
Condition: abrasions, overall good!
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.