常行堂の摩多羅神

抄録

This paper discusses the origin of the divinity Matarajin 摩多羅神 in the Jogyōdō 常行堂 Hall through a composition of stored statues. It is thought that the statues in the original Jogyōdō were the statue of the jewel-crowned Amitābha and statues of the Four directional attendant Bodhisattvas associated with each of the five Buddhas in the Vajradhātu （Shishingon bosatsu 四親近菩薩）, which are extracted by the “Vajradhātu 81 image Maṇḍala （金剛界八十一尊曼荼羅）.” “The Figure of Hokkedō and Jogyōdō （法花堂常行堂之図）” probably shows the original composition of the statues. On this basis, the gate of Matarajin is located in the north outside the Jogyōdō. In the “Vajradhātu 81 image Maṇḍala,” this position is allocated to Vināyaka （毘那夜迦天） and to a subduing deity, which is a kind of Vināyaka. Matarajin and Vināyaka have similar characteristics, such as being a “god of obstacles （障礙神）.” In addition, they syncronize with each other directly and indirectly. Therefore, the origin of the Matarajin in the Jogyōdō might lie in Vināyaka.