일본의 십삼불(十三佛) 신앙과 복장(複葬)의 상징구조

Abstract

The belief in Thirteen Buddhas has been adjusted as the rationale of memorial service for the dead in Japanese Buddhism exceeding the sect for a long time. Thirteen Buddhas is selected from Buddhas and Buddhist saints whom are chosen in patriciate in 11-12 century, and they are believed in as principal icon that helps sending the dead to Pure Land. When shifting from patriciate to the samurai society, the belief in the last dharma, the belief in Pure Land, the image of hell became popular. The belief in Ten Kings who judge the dead in Hades united with that trend of thought and the services of Ten Buddhas was formed. Each Buddhism sect selected Buddha and Buddhist saints which related to their own doctrine. But because esoteric Buddhism could not put their Buddhas and Buddhist saint in Ten Buddhas, they tried to extend from Ten Buddhas to Thirteen Buddhas and put their Buddhas and Buddhist there. At that time, Buddhism sect imitated memorial service for the dead with each other, and the belief in Thirteen Buddhas was established in that process. It can be said that the belief in Thirteen Buddhas has offered ground to taking root the symbolical structure of re-burial in Japan.