The Great Buddha of Kamakura

he Great Buddha from Kamakura (Daibutsu) represents the Amida Buddha (in Japanese Amida Nyorai), the Buddha of the Infinite Light, the main Deity of the Buddhist Sect Jodo (Pure Land).

Actually, Buddha is not a name, but a honorific term, like the Christian Mesia. Buddha comes from Sanskrit and it is the past participle of the verb Buddh, meaning “to awaken” or “to know", translated in English as “one who has awakened to the truth".

In Japanese it is also referred as Butsu, hence Daibutsu (written ?? or ??), from ? Dai, meaning Great and ? or ? Butsu (the On reading), meaning Buddha.

In the Mahayana tradition there are many Buddha. The Historical Buddha (the Prince Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism) is one of them and the statues of the various Buddha share common attributes. The Amida Buddha is not Siddhartha Gautama, it is a monk named Dharmakara, who become a Buddha and lived in very old times (or in another realm…). Amida Buddha is usually represented wearing simple monk clothes and the Kamakura Daibutsu is no exception.

The hair is represented in small spiral curls (Rahotsu in Japanese). This is an allusion to a legend about Prince Siddhartha, who at one moment pulled his hair together into a top knot and cut it. After the cut, the hair spiraled into fine curls and he never needed to cut its hair again.

The statue of Amida Buddha must always have 656 curls.

On the top of the head we can see Ushnisha (Nikkei in Japanese), a bump on top of the head symbolizing the fact that Buddha is all-knowing and also symbolizing a fully developed top chakra.

At the front base of the Nikkei we can see a circular object, the Nikkeishu (Nikkei Jewel), which “radiates the light of wisdom":

Also, on the forehead, we can see Urna (Byakugo in Japanese), symbolic the representation of the third eye, emitting rays of light and symbolizing that Buddha is all-seeing. Usually, on Buddha statues the third eye is represented from a crystal or a gem. On the Kamakura Great Buddha, Byakugo is made of pure silver, weighing 13.5 kilograms.

The elongated ears symbolize that Buddha is all-hearing…

The hands are represented in the position of Mida no Join (Meditation Mudra), a Japanese specific position, used exclusively for Amida Buddha.

I will return tomorrow with a more down-to-earth look at this statue…

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Sophia Bush unseen Photoshoot

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Top 10 Fastest Cars of 2011

The car companies present new models with advanced and sophisticated technology every year. Here are 10 fastest cars, of new or upcoming models including those that remained unaltered for two or three years, but are still surpassing. These cars are selected considering the rate of speed from zero to 60 miles per hour and not their full speed. Let’s take a look on list of Top 10 Fastest Cars 2011.

10. Jaguar XFR (2010-2011)

This car, with retail price $82,875,
accelerates from zero to 60 in 4.5 seconds. It is incorporated with a 510 hp engine, and looks exquisitely graceful and comfortable on the inside.

09. Ford Shelby GT500 (2011)

It is less costly, with a price of $49,605 and has a 550 hp engine which can make it run from zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds.

08. Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG (2007-2011)

It can speed up from zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds. It is a small car with a big engine that sounds great. The CLS63 AMG, also has a similar get up but is more graceful with four doors, with a price of $99,050, as compared to the $59,805 of C63 AMG
.
07. BMW X6 M (2010-2011)

Its retail price is $90,375 and it can run from zero to 60 in 4.3 seconds.
BMW also presents the X5 M which can move from zero to 60 in 4.5 seconds.

06. Cadillac CTS-V (2011)

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $65,390 Produced as coupe or sedan, both cost $65,390 and are considered incongruous for super car grade. They possess capability to race from zero to 60 in 4.2 seconds, and are the least expensive cars

05. Audi R8 (2011)

It can gallop from zero to 60 in 3.9 seconds and is conspicuous with a price of $118,450. It is impressively good looking with a roomy cabin for a two-seater, and has got space behind the seats.

04. Chevrolet Corvette (2010-2011)

It has several models, with a retail price of $113,500 and runs from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. The 430 hp Grand Sport of price just $55,000 does this race in 4.4 seconds, comparing to the ZR1, which can reach 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with a 638 hp engine, but has only rear-wheel drive.

03. Bentley Continental Super Sports (2010-2011)

It costs $272,195, and it can sprint from zero to 60 in 3.8 seconds.
It is all wheel drive.

02. Porsche 911 (2010-2011)

Its retail price is $136,450 and it is obtainable in different designs. GT3 moves from zero to 60 in 4 seconds and the GT2 RS will go in 3.6 seconds, but the 911 Turbo reaches 60 miles per hour in unbelievable 3.2 seconds. The 911 is incorporated with a 500 hp engine, and is all-wheel drive. It is brisk around a racetrack and it can turn fast.

01. Nissan GT-R (2009-2012)

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $90,950 The Nissan GT-R Black Edition is a model of 2012, but it was presented early and was available in 2011. Previous models from year 2009 had speed from zero to 60 in 3.6 seconds, but the Black Edition performs this process in 3.1 seconds, winning its top list position. The Porsche 911 is the Nissan’s nearest competition of reaching 60 miles per hour, but the GT-R is a quite better vehicle. On a racetrack, the GT-R surpasses the 911.

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Some Interesting Coins from All Around The World

Cameroon, 2011, 1000 Francs

In the 20th century numismatics became the most popular hobbies in the world.
Central banks began to produce different commemorative coins to the delight of collectors.
Here are some of the most unusual coins from all over the world.


Côte d'Ivoire, in 2010, 1,000 francs

Mongolia, in 2011, 500 MNT

Australia, 2011

Liberia, in 2001, $ 10

Liberia, in 2005, $ 10

Congo, in 2007, 10 francs

Palau, 2008

Canada, in 2002, $ 20

Niue, 2008, $ 1

Benin, of 2011, 100 francs

France, in 2010, EUR 10

The Polish zloty coin of 10, dedicated to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing

Turkey

Niue, 2008. "Kaliningrad", a coin from the series "Amber Road", $ 1

Latvia 1 Lats

Cambodia, chetyrehliky soaring Buddha, 3,000 riel

Spain, the research vessel Hesperides, 2007, EUR 10

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Anushka Sharma Latest Photoshoot

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Bar Refaeli Escada Perfume Ad Campaign 2011

Israeli model Bar Refaeli is the featured figure in the ad campaign of Especially Escada luxury perfume. The perfume was conceived as an ode to good mood, joy, positive vibrations and strength.

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Irina Shayk Rampage Clothing Autumn 2011

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