This mandala has been used as a principal object of the Dai-butchō-hō ritual to pray for love and respect, good health and divine favor. This is a so-called Chinese Tang type composition, and it is not based on any specific Buddhist text. The same composition can be found in the collections of iconographies titled "Zuzō-shō" and "Besson Zakki". According to the old records, Daibutchō Mandala began to be used for the ritual during the late 11th century. In the center of the picture, King Ichiji Kinrin (Ekākṣara-uṣṇīṣacakra) is seated on Mt. Shumi-sen (Sumeru) in front of the large disk of the sun, and seven sacred treasures are surrounding the figure. Above the figure of King Ichiji-kinrin the figure of Shaka (Śākyamuni) -kinrin is depicted within the disk of the moon. He is making a finger sign and a kinrin wheel is on his hands. Bamboo stalks are arranged on the left side of Mt. Shumi-sen, and peonies are on its right side. Two great dragon-kings and two dragon-gods are appearing from the sea in the front. One of the characteristics of this painting is the adoption of some almost natural scenes to this mandala composition of esoteric Buddhism. The body of the principal Buddhist image is painted yellow and is outlined in red. The garment is decorated with fine patterns of Shippō-tsunagi, Tatewaku, and Ishidatami using the method of cut-gold foil. Metalic tools are represented by gold foils. For coloring, bright colors with white wash were used. This picture is one of the elegant Buddhist paintings made during the reign of the Fujiwara family. 
Masterpieces of Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 1993, p.53, no.36.