Bodhi Daruma doll

Compiled by LONDON SWAMINATHAN

Date: 16 JUNE 2018

Time uploaded in London –  18-36  (British Summer Time)

Post No. 5118

Pictures shown here are taken from various sources such as Facebook friends, Books, Google and newspapers; thanks. Pictures may be subject to copyright laws.

SUGAR
Sugar was invented by Ikshvaku dynasty, Ikshvaku means sugarcane. Sugar was found in the Sarasvati -Indus Valley civilisation . Sugar went to to China from India. It was brought to Japan by Chinese priest Gangin of the Tang Dynasty in 753. Kobo Daishi brought sweets from China. From 15th century sweets of all kinds were manufactured in Japan.

Uruchi
India and Japan shared uruchi I.e. rice which is ARISI (in Tamil).
Oryza sativa in botanical term= Vrihi in Sanskrit.
xxx

Daruma Doll
Bodhidarma who introduced Zen Buddhism to China in early part of sixth century lives in the daily life of Japan as Daruma doll.

In 1978 the Conservative Yukon Hayashida won the gubernatorial election in Kyoto ending 28 years of communist administration in their traditional stronghold. As a sign of victory, he daubed in the other eye of Daruma doll, and one eye had already been painted before the elections.

On 21 February 1990, prime minister Toshiku Kaifu inked an eye to a huge Daruma doll, to celebrate the victory of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in the National elections.

The stylised mask of Daruma-san emphasises the fierce mien of Bodhidharma . From the fire of his meditation arose the martial arts as well as from his training as a young prince Kanchi .
The roundish Daruma doll is a must for success in life. Bodhidaruma spent eight years in uninterrupted meditation. At last when he tried to stand up, he found that his legs atrophied. That is how the round doll came up.

Margaret Thatcher and Bodhi Daruma Doll

British Prime Minister David Cameron has praised Nissan’s production of their new 100% Electric car, the Nissan LEAF, at its Sunderland plant. The Japanese company has invested £420million in the production of the car, which will support 2,000 jobs in the UK’s automotive industry.

David Cameron also got the chance to take part in a traditional Japanese ceremony, when he coloured in the eye of a Daruma doll, which late former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had done when the plant first opened in 1986. Since then the plant has went on to produce over seven million cars.

Xxx

Lakshmi came to Japan

Japanese Lakshmi in British Museum
The British museum sent 300 treasures to Japan in celebration of the 50 years of India in independence in 1997. A star attraction of the e hibition was the eleventh century Heian wooden image of Kichijoten or Lakshmi. She wore the robe s of the Heian period, her right hand in Varada Mudra of granting affluence, and the left hand held a Cintamani jewel.

Lakshmi in Japan

Source Lokesh Chandra Book- CULTURAL INTER FLOW BETWEEN INDIA AND JAPAN

–subham-