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Subject:Buddha sculpture with inscription on the back
Posted By: Kammavaca1 Thu, Mar 08, 2018 IP: 2003:c6:af0f:6d02:45

Hello,
I have a Buddha sculpture.
There is a dedication inscription on the back.
Who can help me with the translation?
Many thanks before in advance
Kammavaca1





Subject:Re: Buddha sculpture with inscription on the back
Posted By: I.Nagy Thu, Mar 08, 2018

Inscription in my translation,
同府欲報以恩命鋳造佛相 
Image of Buddha - casting made in response of wishes and the gracious command of the Prefectural Government

No date of casting - however. I still can see some more inscriptions on the base.

With regards,
I.Nagy

Subject:Re: Buddha sculpture with inscription on the back
Posted By: I.Nagy Fri, Mar 09, 2018

Corrected version of my reading,
周府欲報四恩  
命工鋳造佛相
The Zhou Government wanted to respect the four graces (so) ordered to cast images of Buddha

With regards,
I.Nagy


Subject:Re: Buddha sculpture with inscription on the back
Posted By: Kammavaca1 Sat, Mar 10, 2018

Hello I, Nagy,
many thanks for you translations.
Is a Limitation of the age recognizable?
Yours sincerely
Kammavaca1

Subject:Re: Buddha sculpture with inscription on the back
Posted By: I.Nagy Mon, Mar 12, 2018

I think that the Zhou 周 is not a name of a dynasty,
but a Medieval prince and the Government should be
interpreted as household -Zhou Princely Household.
The form of this statue is typical of the Ming dynasty.
However, I can not vouch for it`s genuineness.

With regards,
I.Nagy

Subject:Re: Buddha sculpture with inscription on the back
Posted By: Super Mon, Mar 12, 2018

The first two characters: 周府 here can be translated as the House of Zhou. (i.e. The Zhou residence) In this case, Zhou is not the surname but rather as some believe is the house of the fifth son of the first Ming dynasty emperor, The Hongwu Emperor (21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398), personal name Zhu Yuanzhang, who was bestowed the the title of 周王.


Apr 30, 2009 - 莲台下为六角束腰须弥座,须弥座束腰间刻发愿文云:“周府欲报四恩,命工铸造佛相,一样五千四十八尊,俱用黄金镀之,所以广陈供养,崇敬如来,吉祥如意者。洪武丙子四月吉日施。”周府可能是周王府简称。《明史·卷一百十六》载,朱元璋第5子朱 醴馕馔酰 槲涫 荒辏378年)改封周王,十四年(1381年)就藩开封。

There are a few such buddha statue made during this period (early Ming) with similar marking that were being kept at National Palace museums at Taiwan and ROC.

報四恩 - means to pay back the four kindness (blessings of) which are
the kindness of one's parents;
the kindness of other people;
the kindness of your emperor;
the kindness of 三寶 (3 treasures) which are 佛寶、法寶、僧寶 (treasures of buddha, buddism and monks)/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0WrzOBjrFQ

It would be difficult to know if your statue is genuine.

Subject:Re: Buddha sculpture with inscription on the back
Posted By: Kammavaca1 Tue, Mar 13, 2018

Hello super,
many thanks for your extensive information.
Yours sincerely

Kammavaca1

Subject:Re: Buddha sculpture with inscription on the back
Posted By: Kammavaca1 Tue, Mar 13, 2018

Hello super,
has the book and the text with the Buddha sculpture close something?
What is the book title?

Thank you very much

Kammavaca1



Subject:Re: Buddha sculpture with inscription on the back
Posted By: Super Thu, Mar 15, 2018

The book title shown on your pic is:
大成本生心地觀經講紀
and I have no idea how to translate it into English, may be others can help?
The four graces (blessings; kindnesses) shown on your pic are exactly similar to what I had translated.

You can find more on these links:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=smallhubsgabrielle.mind_buddha

http://buddhism.lib.ntu.edu.tw/BDLM/sutra/chi_pdf/sutra2/T03n0159.pdf

Cheer

Super

Subject:Re: Buddha sculpture with inscription on the back
Posted By: I.Nagy Sat, Mar 17, 2018

The book title in my interpretation,
大乗本生心地觀經講記
Reading Lectures on the Mahayana Heart Scriptures of
Jataka
(Jataka (本庄) is the story of Buddha`s previous lives)

With regards,
I.Nagy


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