Shaka-nyorai is the name given to the historical Buddha in Japan. Most Buddha figures from the early days of Japanese Buddhism depict Shakyamuni, even though Amida, Dainichi and Yakushi already surpassed him in importance within the Buddha group at that time. In the Buddhist schools of Tendai and Nichiren, he still plays a central role today. On the statues, the Buddha can usually be seen with his right hand raised to ward off evil (semui-in) and his left hand hanging down to make supplication (segan-in).
other Buddhas
