Four Guardian Gods: Difference between revisions
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The Four Guardian Gods are a direct descendant of the [[Lokapala]]s ([[Sanskrit]] "world-protectors"), originally a set of four [[Hinduism|Hindu]] deities adopted by Buddhism. |
The Four Guardian Gods are a direct descendant of the [[Lokapala]]s ([[Sanskrit]] "world-protectors"), originally a set of four [[Hinduism|Hindu]] deities adopted by Buddhism. |
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Revision as of 04:23, 5 July 2004
In Japanese Buddhism, the Four Guardian Gods (Jp. 四天王 shitennō), also known as the Four Kings of Heaven, are deities who protect the Dharma. The Four are:
- Jikokuten (持國天, also 治國天), protector of the east
- Zojoten (増長天), protector of the south
- Komokuten (廣目天), protector of the west
- Tamonten (多聞天, also known as Bishamon or 毘沙門, protector of the north and ruler of the yakshas)
All four serve Taishakuten (帝釈天), the deity of the center and report to him on the moral condition of the world.
The Four Guardian Gods are a direct descendant of the Lokapalas (Sanskrit "world-protectors"), originally a set of four Hindu deities adopted by Buddhism.