“Benten, or Benzaiten.” I said. “Enoshima Island rose from the sea to receive her footsteps.”
Originally the Hindu River Goddess Sarasvatī, described in the the Indian Rig Veda as the best of goddesses, the ‘inciter of all pleasant songs, inspirer of all gracious thought,’ Benten evolved in Japan as the deity of sea or water, and the Goddess of all that flows- water, words, speech, eloquence, poetry, writing, music, performing arts and, by extension, knowledge, learning, and wisdom. The realm of imagination and Jungian unconscious were the deep uncharted waters from which spring life-renewing creative forces and artistic inspiration streamed up through her. One of Japan's most complex syncretic deities, her worship was widespread in esoteric Buddhist camps, Shintō circles, and mountain Shugendō enclaves.
Sometime in the eighth century she entered Japan as the eight-armed weapon-wielding Defender of Nation, and Protector of Buddhist Law, compatible with her martial description in the Sutra of Golden Light. In her hands she held a sword, a wish-granting jewel, a bow, an arrow, a wheel, and a key, her remaining two hands joined in prayer. It took only a hundred years for the introduction of Mikkyō Esoteric Buddhism to replace her warrior image, favored by samurai praying for battlefield success, with a two-armed beauty playing a lute. In the heavenly Taizōkai Mandala, she became the patroness of music and art and beauty, and all that other stuff.
In the eleventh and twelfth century, Benten became an amiable agricultural deity, providing rain, protecting the harvest, and bringing prosperity. Her sanctuaries were always near water- the sea, a river, a lake, or a pond. Her animal avatars and messengers were turtles, foxes and Naga serpents and dragons, all associated with water and also carrying, like the goddess herself, the sacred pearl or jade jewel that granted desires. Snakes are common in Japan, and one of the most common, the mamushi pit viper, is also the most venomous, causing at least ten deaths a year. In 1885, in the Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, ‘ while enjoying a vacation near Kamakura,’ a Mr. W. C. deLano described his newfound knowledge of the serpent he had procured.
‘The largest mamushi are between seven and eight feet long.
Born, the mamaushi is full of the energy of the sun, and for this
reason has sharp teeth (!) When a man is bitten by a mamaushi,
he dies quicker than from the sting of any other poisonous snake.
If bitten by a mamushi, it is best to cut off the swollen parts
around the bite with a very sharp knife. If the flesh of the
mimushi is thrown on the ground, the earth in the vicinity begins
at once to hiss and steam, and, upon inspection, the spot will be
found to be burned.’
“Snakes are a big item with Benten, and in Japan.” I said. “She had the power to assume the form of a serpent, and was often shown riding a dragon or serpent and playing the biwa lute, surrounded by white serpents, or crowned with one. The Japanese believe that seeing a white snake is an omen of great luck, but not many will remember why. Putting a cast-off snakeskin in your purse or wallet is said to bring wealth and prosperity. Benten’s companion husband had been Hakuja, a large ugajin white serpent sea dragon kami with the head of an old man, who used to ravage Enoshima and devour children, until she descended form heaven to tame him. She gained the title of protectress of children, and was worshipped as well by geishas and jealous women, dancers and musicians, painters and sculptors and writers, and anyone on an island, especially Enoshima, as she was believed to prevent earthquakes. Robyn and I came out into daylight, from the low ceiling long winding tunnel of Benten-kutsu.
“She was the only female of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese mythology, and goddess of one more thing.” I said. “But I’ll show you that later this morning.
No comments:
Post a Comment