|
|
Handbook on Viewing Buddhist Statues
A totally wonderful
book by Ishii Ayako.
Some images
at this site were
scanned from this
book; Japanese
language only;
192 pages;
80+ color photos
Click here to
buy book at Amazon
Sanskrit Characters
Courtesy of:
Flying Tobifudo
(Japanese site)
|
|
SHITENNO
Guardians of the Four Compass Directions
Sanskrit = Lokala, Lokapala, Caturmaharaja
Four Deva Kings, Four Heavenly Kings
Four Guardians of the Dharma (Buddhist Law)
Jikokuten (East), Zochoten (South)
Komokuten (West), Tamonten (North)
Governed by Taishakuten, Lord of the Center
ORIGIN: Hindu deities incorporated into Buddhism
Members of the Tenbu (Skt. = Deva)
Links to All Shitenno
Jikokuten | Zōchōten | Kōmokuten | Tamonten | Taishakuten
Four Heavenly Kings, the Shitenno
At Hase Dera in Kamakura (life-size metal statues, modern)
From Left: Tamonten, Jikokuten, Koumokuten, Zouchoten
Dressed in armor and trampling the Jyaki (or Tentoki/Ryutoki)
Shitenno = "Four Celestial Guardians"
Their iconography is closely associated with
the Four Celestial Emblems (dragon, red bird,
tiger, turtle) of the Chinese Emperor. These four
creatures also guard the four cardinal directions.
See Shijin for more on the four Chinese creatures.
HISTORICAL NOTES: Guardians of the Four Directions, Protectors of Buddhist Law, Protectors of Human Kind, Protectors of the Bosatsu and Nyorai. Most often found standing at the corners of alters. Ferocious looking, sometimes with fiery halo behind them, often stepping on demons called Jyaki. They protect the Buddhist realm for Taishakuten (Skt. Indra, god of the center), serving as his generals to guard the territories inhabited by humans. Originally from Hindu mythology, and later incorporated into Buddhism. In the Lotus Sutra, they vow to protect those who believe in the Dharma (Buddhist teachings). In Japanese artwork, especially in the mandala form, the four typically appear in a set order, starting with East (Jikokuten), followed by Zouchoten (South), Komokuten (West), and Tamonten (North). All four are described in Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese texts, but their attributes, colors, and sometimes their names, often vary.
All four are depicted as warriors, and usually shown holding weapons, but there is no "hard" rule for the objects in their hands, and variations are common. Nevertheless, the objects they carry are always tools to eliminate evil influences and suppress the enemies of Buddhism. All four are Deva (Sanskrit), celestial beings who occupy the realm just above humans and just below the enlightened Bodhisattva. See Six Realms for details.
The Shitenno live halfway down the four sides of Mt. Shumisen (Mt. Sumeru or Mt. Meru, Jp. = Shumisen 須弥山), the mythical home of Shakya Nyorai (Historical Buddha). According to Buddhist lore, Mt. Sumeru is located at the center of the universe, surrounded by eight mountain ranges, and in the ocean between the 7th and 8th there are four continents inhabited by humans. These four continents are protected by the Shitenno, with each leading an army of supernatural creatures to keep the fighting Ashura at bay. On the top of Mt. Sumeru is the heavenly palace of Shakya Nyorai, and the abode of the Trayastrimsha (33 Gods) ruled by Taishakuten, who commands the Shitenno.
Shitenno symbolism and artwork in Japan reflects not only its Hindu origins, but also its association with the four mythical Chinese creatures -- the dragon, red bird, tiger, and tortoise. These four creatures, known as the Celestial Emblems of the Chinese Emperor, are also considered the guardians of the four compass directions, and appear prominently in artwork in China. Each has a corresponding season, color, element, and virtue -- so do each of the Shitenno. But in Japan, the four Chinese creatures are mostly supplanted by their Buddhist equivalents, the Shitenno.
Note: In Japan, there are statues of various followers of the Shitenno. These statues of the followers are referred to as the Shitenno Kenzoku. In Tibet, the guardians of the four directions are known as "Jjig-rtenskyong" and in Chinese as the "T'ien-wang."
 |
 |
Click any link below
to jump to that deity's page
Taishakuten or Taishaku
Sanskrit = Indra
The Lord of the Center
Commands the Shitenno
Lord of the Heaven of 33 Gods
Jikokuten
Skt = Dhrtarasta, Dhritarashtra
East, Spring, Green/Blue, Water
"Guardian of the Nation" or "Kingdom Keeper"
Zouchoten or Zochoten
Sanskrit = Virudhaka
South, Summer, Red, Fire
"One who Expands, One who Enlarges"
wisdom and increases moderation
Koumokuten or Komokuten
Sanskrit = Virupaksa, Virupaksha
West, Fall, White, Metal
"Wide Eyed," for he sees through evil,
discerns and punishes evil, and
encourages aspirations for enlightenment
Tamonten
Skt = Vaisravana, Vaishravana
North, Winter, Black, Earth
"Renowned, Well-Known One"
Also called Bishamonten, one of Japan's Seven Lucky Deities.
One who is all knowing, One who hears everything in the kingdom
One who is always listening; completely versed in Buddha's teachings
The most popular and widely known of the four in Japan
Jyaki (邪鬼) or Amano Jyaku
Jyaki is the name of the tiny creatures the four kings stand upon. Classified as members of the Yaksha in Japan; also referred to as the "Amano Jyaku (Heaven Jyaku)" in Japan. In a tradition unique to Japan, the Jyaki demons are sometimes represented as the Tentouki (Tentoki) and Ryuutoki (Ryutoki) creatures, apparently in reference to a Japanese legend that says these creatures were originally evil, but after getting trampled by the Shitenno, they repented, were saved, and now carry lanterns as offerings of light to the Buddha, or to light up the road in front of the Shaka Nyorai. In general, both the Jyaki and Tentouki/Ryuutoki represent the power of the Shitenno to repel and defeat evil. Two beautiful sculptures of Tentoki and Ryutoki can be found at Kofukuji in Nara -- both sculptures are presented below, following the Jyaki photos.
Jyaki from 7th century, at Horyu-ji Temple, Nara
Scanned from temple brochure
Jyaki under the feet of Zouchoten
Horyu-ji Temple, Nara, 7th Century
Jyaki at Hase Dera in Kamakura (click for larger images)
Ryūtōki Ryūzō 竜燈鬼立像
Two Jyaki 邪鬼 (goblins, demons) carrying lanterns.
Dated +1215, carved by Kōben
Kōfukuji Temple 興福寺 in Nara.
Wood with pigments. Japanese Cypress.
L: Ryutoki (Ryūtōki 龍燈鬼), H = 77.8 cm
R: Tentoki (Tentōki 天燈鬼), H = 78.2 cm
Inset crystal eyes (gyokugan 玉眼), Japanese Cypress
Jointed-Block Technique (寄木造)
Thses two Jyaki Demons 邪鬼 hold the lanterns
to light up the road in front of Shaka Nyorai.
See Offerings of Light for details on lanterns.
LEARN MORE
- The Shitenno are also associated with four legendary creatures of Chinese mythology (dragon, red bird, tiger, turtle), who also guard the four cardinal directions. See Shijin (Four Celestial Emblems) for more on these creatures.
- 4 Heavenly Kings, Great Mandala Study Group (outside link)
- Four Heavenly Kings, Nichiren Tradition (outside link)
"They appear in the ceremony of the Lotus Sutra with their 10,000 retainer gods in the "Dharani" (26th chapter). Therein, Jikokuten and Bishamonten pledge on behalf of all four to protect those who embrace the Lotus Sutra.
- Four Heavenly Kings (J-site; excellent; outside link)
- In the Japanese Mandala, the Shitenno (Guardians of the Four Directions) are typically shown, from the top, starting with the eastern guardian. Thus, the typical order is Jikokuten (East), Zouchoten (South), Komokuten (West), and Tamonten (North).
- Sanskrit Characters (J-site; outside link)
- 28 Constellations, 28 Moon Lodges, 28 Moon Stations
Learn more about each of the four quarters (north, south, east, west) and the seven constellations in each group. All 28 represent points in the moon's monthly path, and each was deified.
 |
Above four photos courtesy: daiwagroup.com/fengshui/
|
|
