Honzon Group Page
What is a Gorinto?
Represents the five elements
“Five-ring tower” or “Five-tier tomb”
Used as a grave marker
Used to hold a relic of the Buddha (hair, bone, fingernail, etc.)
On a second level of symbolism, each part of the gorintō also represents an element of change in both Jutsuzaikai and Henkai.
- The top symbol fuses the shape of a crescent, representing wisdom, and a triangle, representing principle. The fusion of these qualities in the Genshōkai and Henkai represents perfection, or Buddhahood.
- The crescent of water represents receptivity, and is similar to a cup ready to receive from the heavens.
- The triangle is a point of transition between two worlds and as such represents both unification and movement. It indicates the activity necessary to reach Enlightenment.
- The circle represents completion, or Wisdom attainment.
- The square is a symbol of the four elements.
On a last level of symbolism, the shapes represent the order in which the student progresses in his or her spiritual studies.
- The square is the basis, the will to attain perfection.
- The circle is the attainment of equanimity.
- The triangle represents the energy created in pursuit of the truth.
- The crescent represents the development of intuition and awareness.
- The topmost shape represents perfection.
Usually made of five tiers of curved stone, each expressing one of the basic elements of the universe: The earth, water, fire, wind and the sky, which Buddhists believe create everything of the universe. The bottom stone is a cube and called the Earth ring expressing the earth. From the second, a sphere (Water ring), triangular shape like pyramid (Fire ring), semi-sphere (Wind ring) and placed on top is peach-shaped hoju (mani in Sanskrit) and is called Sky ring. The concept is similar to that of Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC), who said the material universe consists of four elements; fire, air, earth and water. On each stone, there usually appears a Sanskrit symbol. Gorinto first appeared sometime in the middle of the Heian Period (794-1185) and many of them can be seen in Kyoto as well, but the ones made during the Kamakura Period are most beautiful, say experts on Gorinto. Its height ranges from one to four meters. Characteristic is that it is indigenous to Japan and can be seen in no other countries, not in China either. Most of the existing Gorinto in Kamakura were made in the late Kamakura Period.
Julia and Myles smacking away at the plaster
Gus working very diligently on the plaster mold
| Previous page on path | Honzon Group Update 2, page 2 of 3 | Next page on path |
Discussion of "Honzon Group Page"
Add your voice to this discussion.
Checking your signed in status ...