zahō 坐法

Also referred to as zasei 坐勢 (Sk: asana). A seated position for a Buddhist image. Ancient Indian ascetics used various positions for meditation, and asana are mentioned in Vedic literature (ca. 2000 BC). Extensive lists were compiled in the Buddhist tradition and can be found in Indian tantric texts. Zahō are very important iconographic characteristics of sculpted figures because specific deities sometimes can be identified by their posture. Common forms of zahō include *kekka fuza 結跏趺坐 (the full-lotus posture), *hanka fuza 半跏趺坐 (the half-lotus posture), as well as *yūgeza 遊戯坐 and *rin'nōza 輪王坐.