SHITENNO
Four Heavenly Kings, Four Deva Kings
East, West, South, North (and Center)
Guardians
of the Four Directions, Protectors of Buddhist Law, Protectors of Human
Kind. Most often found standing at the corners of alters. Ferocious looking,
sometimes with fiery halo behind them, often stepping on Tentoki (tiny creatures).
They protect the Buddhist realm for Taishakuten (Skt. Indra, god of the
center), serving as his generals to guard the territories inhabited by humans.
All four are depicted as warriors.
Taishakuten
or Taishaku, God of the Center
(also among the Juniten and Tenbu); Sanskrit Sakradevanam Indra or Shakra
Devanam Indra; positioned in Center. Buddhists in Tibet, China, and Japan
have adopted Indra, the Hindu god of war, as their guardian deity. In India,
Indra was the ruler of the gods of the Veda. He was not only the mightiest
god, but also the god of storms, thunder, and war. Taishakuten is guarded
and assisted by his four generals, the Shitenno (Four Heavenly Kings); known
also as the god of wealth, he is sometimes depicted riding an elephant; equivalent
to Zeus ?
Jikokuten (Dhrtarasta; Dhritarashtra); East
Maintains and Protects the World; usually carries sword in right hand; green
Zouchoten (Virudhaka); South
Relieves people of their suffering; usually holds a halberd; white
Koumokuten (Virupaksa, Virupaksha); West
Sees through evil, discerns and punishes evil, encourages aspirations for
enlightenment; carries writing brush and scroll; red
Tamonten (Vaisravana, Vaishravana); North
Same as Bishamonten of Japan's Seven Lucky Deities. He who is all knowing,
He who hears everything in the kingdom. The most powerful of the four, the
other three are his vassals; listens to Buddhist teachings (sutras); protects
holy places; protects places where Buddha expounds the teachings; carries
pagoda-shaped treasure house in left hand (from which he gives wealth to only
"the worthy", a spear in right hand; blue; god of war and protector
against demons.
