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RICHARDK. PAYNERITUAL OBJECTSThe VINAYArelates that the historical Buddha permit-
ted his ordained mendicants only four possessions—
three robes and a begging bowl. These simple,
functional objects served as the first Buddhist ritual
implements since they were the primary material
means to clearly distinguish the members of the
monastic community from the laity. Initiates could not
be ordained until they had properly received them.
Over the succeeding centuries, as Buddhism was trans-
mitted throughout Asia, the number of permissible
possessions increased to six—three robes, a begging
bowl, a stool, and a water strainer—and then to eigh-
teen, including a censer and staff. Moreover, as the rit-
uals of the religion became increasingly elaborate,
greater numbers of implements were required. Al-
though different regions frequently interpreted the
forms of these objects in culturally specific ways, im-
plements often had their origins in secular Indian
modes of veneration and ornamentation.Implements of ornamentation
Indian Buddhists correlated sacred adornment with
the manifestation of the supernatural. In decorating
the interior of halls that housed the object of WORSHIP,
they hoped to realize the appearance of the paradises
in which the deities were believed to dwell, as described
in the sutras. Thus, elaborate decoration and exquisite
craftsmanship came to characterize the implements
that adorned the halls.
As images of the Buddha and other members of the
Buddhist pantheon became the focus of worship, im-
plements were employed to demarcate the sacred space
in which they were enshrined. For example, canopies,
which derived from the parasols used by the ancient
Indian elite, were suspended over the deity. Garlands
of flowers that likewise had been used by the South
Asian nobility for personal adornment were draped
over images. In northern climates the festoons were
reinterpreted in openwork plaques of fabric, leather,
or metal, and ornamented with semiprecious stones.
Today in Japan these symbolic floral offerings, which
are known as keman,continue to be hung from the
beams of the interiors of image halls. In addition ban-
ners known as ban,which had been adapted in luxu-
rious textiles or gilt bronze from ancient battle
standards signifying victory over one’s enemies, fly
from dragon-headed poles both in the interior and ex-
terior of the halls.RITUALOBJECTS