Difference between revisions of "Four Heavenly Kings"
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[[File:Guard00.jpg|thumb|250px|Korean statue of Gwangmok Cheonwang (Virūpākṣa)]] | [[File:Guard00.jpg|thumb|250px|Korean statue of Gwangmok Cheonwang (Virūpākṣa)]] | ||
− | In the [[Buddhist]] [[faith]], the [[Four Heavenly Kings]] are four [[gods]], each of whom watches over one [[cardinal direction]] of the [[world]]. In {{Wiki|Chinese}} they are known collectively as the "Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn" (風調雨順 / 风调雨顺? lit. "Good Climate"). | + | In the [[Buddhist]] [[faith]], the [[Four Heavenly Kings]] are four [[gods]], each of whom watches over one [[cardinal direction]] of the [[world]]. In {{Wiki|Chinese}} they are known collectively as the "[[Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn]]" ([[風調雨順]] / [[风调雨顺]]? lit. "[[Good Climate]]"). [[four heavenly kings]] ([[catumaharaja]], [[si dawang tian]]): [[Vaishravana]] ([[Kuvera]]) of the [[North]] ("[[Very Famous]]" = [[wealth]]), the [[yellow]] [[King]] of the [[Kinnaras]] and [[Yaksas]]; [[Dhritirastra]] of the [[East]] ("[[Protector of the Nation]] "= strength), the white [[King]] of the [[gandharvas]]; [[Virudhaka]] of the [[South]] ("[[Growing Large]]" = {{Wiki|prosperity}}), the green [[king]] of the [[Kumbhandas]]; and [[Virupaksa]] of the [[West]] ("[[Wide Eyes]]" = [[awareness]]), the red [[King]] of the [[Nagas]]. |
+ | |||
+ | See; "[[lokapalas]]." | ||
[[File:Four Guardian.jpg|thumb|250px|The Four Guardian Kings in Burmese depiction.]] | [[File:Four Guardian.jpg|thumb|250px|The Four Guardian Kings in Burmese depiction.]] | ||
=={{Wiki|Nomenclature}}== | =={{Wiki|Nomenclature}}== | ||
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|- | |- | ||
|rowspan=2|Sanskrit | |rowspan=2|Sanskrit | ||
− | |rowspan=2|चतुर्महाराज | + | |rowspan=2|[[चतुर्महाराज]] |
|[[caturmahārāja]] | |[[caturmahārāja]] | ||
|[[Four Great Kings]] | |[[Four Great Kings]] | ||
Line 20: | Line 22: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Sinhala]] | |[[Sinhala]] | ||
− | |සතරවරම් දෙවිවරු | + | |[[සතරවරම් දෙවිවරු]] |
− | | | + | |[[Satharawaram Dewi]] |
− | |Four Privileged/ | + | |[[Four Privileged]]/[[Bestowed Gods]] |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Burmese]] | |[[Burmese]] | ||
|စတုလောကပါလ<br/>စတုမဟာရာဇ်နတ် | |စတုလောကပါလ<br/>စတုမဟာရာဇ်နတ် | ||
− | |sətṵ lɔ́ka̰ pàla̰<br/>sətṵ məhà ɹɪʔ naʔ | + | |[[sətṵ lɔ́ka̰ pàla̰]]<br/>[[sətṵ məhà ɹɪʔ naʔ]] |
− | | | + | | [[Four worldly guardians]]<br/>[[Four Great King Nats]] |
|- | |- | ||
|rowspan=3|Chinese | |rowspan=3|Chinese | ||
− | | 天王 | + | | [[天王]] |
− | | Tiānwáng | + | | [[Tiānwáng]] |
| [[Heavenly kings]] | | [[Heavenly kings]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[四天王]] | | [[四天王]] | ||
− | | Sì Tiānwáng | + | | [[Sì Tiānwáng]] |
− | | | + | | [[Four heavenly kings]] |
|- | |- | ||
− | | 四大天王 | + | | [[四大天王]] |
− | | Sì Da Tiānwáng | + | | [[Sì Da Tiānwáng]] |
| [[Four great heavenly kings]] | | [[Four great heavenly kings]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
|rowspan=3|Korean | |rowspan=3|Korean | ||
− | | 천왕 | + | | [[천왕]] |
− | | Cheonwang | + | | [[Cheonwang]] |
| [[Heavenly kings]] | | [[Heavenly kings]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | 사천왕 | + | | [[사천왕]] |
− | | Sacheonwang | + | | [[Sacheonwang]] |
− | | | + | | [[Four heavenly kings]] |
|- | |- | ||
− | | 사대천왕 | + | | [[사대천왕]] |
| [[Sadae Cheonwang]] | | [[Sadae Cheonwang]] | ||
| [[Four great heavenly kings]] | | [[Four great heavenly kings]] | ||
Line 58: | Line 60: | ||
| [[四天王]] | | [[四天王]] | ||
|[[Shitennō]] | |[[Shitennō]] | ||
− | | | + | | [[Four heavenly kings]] |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Vietnamese]] | |[[Vietnamese]] | ||
| [[四天王]] | | [[四天王]] | ||
− | | | + | |[[Tứ Thiên Vương]] |
− | | | + | | [[Four heavenly kings]] |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Tibetan]] | |[[Tibetan]] | ||
− | |{{BigTibetan|རྒྱལ༌ཆེན༌བཞི༌}} | + | |{{BigTibetan|[[རྒྱལ༌ཆེན༌བཞི༌]]}} |
|[[rgyal chen bzhi]] | |[[rgyal chen bzhi]] | ||
− | | Four great | + | | [[Four great kings]] |
|- | |- | ||
|{{Wiki|Mongolian}} | |{{Wiki|Mongolian}} | ||
− | |Махаранз | + | |[[Махаранз]] |
|[[maharanja]] | |[[maharanja]] | ||
− | | (Four) | + | | [[(Four) Great kings]] |
|- | |- | ||
|rowspan=2|Thai | |rowspan=2|Thai | ||
− | | จาตุมหาราชา | + | | [[จาตุมหาราชา]] |
| [[chatumaharaja]] | | [[chatumaharaja]] | ||
− | | Four great | + | | [[Four great kings]] |
|- | |- | ||
− | | จาตุโลกบาล | + | | [[จาตุโลกบาล]] |
− | | chatulokkaban | + | | [[chatulokkaban]] |
− | | | + | | [[Four Guardians of the world]] |
|} | |} | ||
==The Four [[Heavenly]] [[Kings]]== | ==The Four [[Heavenly]] [[Kings]]== | ||
− | The [[Four Heavenly Kings]] are said to currently [[live]] in the | + | The [[Four Heavenly Kings]] are said to currently [[live]] in the [[Cāturmahārājika heaven]] ([[Pāli]] [[Cātummahārājika]], "Of the [[Four Great Kings]]") on the lower slopes of [[Mount Sumeru]], which is the lowest of the six [[worlds]] of the [[devas]] of the [[Kāmadhātu]]. They are the [[protectors]] of the [[world]] and fighters of [[evil]], each able to command a legion of [[supernatural]] creatures to {{Wiki|protect}} the [[Dharma]]. |
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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| |[[वैश्रवण]] ([[कुबेर]])<br>[[Vaiśravaṇa]] ([[Kubera]]) | | |[[वैश्रवण]] ([[कुबेर]])<br>[[Vaiśravaṇa]] ([[Kubera]]) | ||
| [[विरूढक]]<br>[[Virūḍhaka]] | | [[विरूढक]]<br>[[Virūḍhaka]] | ||
− | | धृतराष्ट्र<br>[[Dhṛtarāṣṭra]] | + | | [[धृतराष्ट्र]]<br>[[Dhṛtarāṣṭra]] |
− | | विरूपाक्ष<br>[[Virūpākṣa]] | + | | [[विरूपाक्ष]]<br>[[Virūpākṣa]] |
|- | |- | ||
|Meaning | |Meaning | ||
− | |he who hears everything | + | |[[he who hears everything]] |
− | |he who | + | |[[he who causes to grow]] |
− | |he who upholds the | + | |[[he who upholds the realm]] |
− | + | [[he who sees all]] | |
|- | |- | ||
|{{Wiki|devanagari}}<br>[[Pāli]] romanization | |{{Wiki|devanagari}}<br>[[Pāli]] romanization | ||
− | |[[वेस्सवण]] (कुवेर)<br>[[Vessavaṇa]] ([[Kuvera]]) | + | |[[वेस्सवण]] ([[कुवेर]])<br>[[Vessavaṇa]] ([[Kuvera]]) |
− | |विरूळ्हक<br>[[Virūḷhaka]] | + | |[[विरूळ्हक]]<br>[[Virūḷhaka]] |
− | |धतरट्ठ<br>[[Dhataraṭṭha]] | + | |[[धतरट्ठ]]<br>[[Dhataraṭṭha]] |
− | |विरूपक्ख<br>[[Virūpakkha]] | + | |[[विरूपक्ख]]<br>[[Virūpakkha]] |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Sinhala]]<br>romanization | |[[Sinhala]]<br>romanization | ||
|[[වෛශ්රවණ]]<br>[[Vessavaṇa]] | |[[වෛශ්රවණ]]<br>[[Vessavaṇa]] | ||
− | |විරෑඪ<br>[[Virūḷhaka]] | + | |[[විරෑඪ]]<br>[[Virūḷhaka]] |
− | |දෘතරාෂ්ට<br>[[Dhataraṭṭha]] | + | |[[දෘතරාෂ්ට]]<br>[[Dhataraṭṭha]] |
− | |විරූපාක්ශ<br>[[Virūpakkha]] | + | |[[විරූපාක්ශ]]<br>[[Virūpakkha]] |
|- | |- | ||
|rowspan=2|Thai<br>romanization | |rowspan=2|Thai<br>romanization | ||
|[[ท้าวกุเวร]]<br>[[Thao Kuwen]] | |[[ท้าวกุเวร]]<br>[[Thao Kuwen]] | ||
− | |rowspan=2|ท้าววิรุฬหก<br>Thao Virunhok | + | |rowspan=2|[[ท้าววิรุฬหก]]<br>[[Thao Virunhok]] |
− | |rowspan=2|ท้าวธตรัฐ<br>Thao Thatarot | + | |rowspan=2|[[ท้าวธตรัฐ]]<br>[[Thao Thatarot]] |
− | |rowspan=2|ท้าววิรูปักษ์<br>Thao Virupak | + | |rowspan=2|[[ท้าววิรูปักษ์]]<br>[[Thao Virupak]] |
|- | |- | ||
− | |เวสวัณ,เวสสุวัณ,เวสสุวรรณ<br>Vessavan | + | |[[เวสวัณ]],[[เวสสุวัณ]],[[เวสสุวรรณ]]<br>[[Vessavan]] |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Burmese]] | |[[Burmese]] | ||
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|ဝိရုပက္ခ | |ဝိရုပက္ခ | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |rowspan=2|Traditional/Simplified {{Wiki|Chinese}}<br>Hanyu Pinyin | + | |rowspan=2|Traditional/Simplified {{Wiki|Chinese}}<br>Hanyu {{Wiki|Pinyin}} |
− | |多聞天王 / 多闻天王<br>[[Duō Wén]] | + | |[[多聞天王]] / [[多闻天王]]<br>[[Duō Wén Tiānwáng]] |
− | |增長天王 / 增长天王<br>Zēng Zhǎng Tiānwáng | + | |[[增長天王]] / [[增长天王]]<br>[[Zēng Zhǎng Tiānwáng]] |
− | |持國天王 / 持国天王<br>Chí Guó Tiānwáng | + | |[[持國天王]] / [[持国天王]]<br>[[Chí Guó Tiānwáng]] |
− | |廣目天王 / 广目天王<br> | + | |[[廣目天王]] / [[广目天王]]<br>[[Guăng Mù Tiānwáng]] |
|- | |- | ||
− | |毗沙門天 / 毗沙门天 | + | |[[毗沙門天]] / [[毗沙门天]] |
− | |留博叉天 / 留博叉天 | + | |[[留博叉天]] / [[留博叉天]] |
− | |多羅吒天 / 多罗吒天 | + | |[[多羅吒天]] / [[多罗吒天]] |
− | |毗琉璃天 / 毗琉璃天 | + | |[[毗琉璃天]] / [[毗琉璃天]] |
|- | |- | ||
|rowspan=2|kanji<br>Hepburn romanization | |rowspan=2|kanji<br>Hepburn romanization | ||
− | |rowspan=2|多聞天 ([[毘沙門天]])<br>[[Tamon-ten]] ([[Bishamon-ten]]) | + | |rowspan=2|[[多聞天]] ([[毘沙門天]])<br>[[Tamon-ten]] ([[Bishamon-ten]]) |
− | |rowspan=2|増長天<br>Zōjō-ten | + | |rowspan=2|[[増長天]]<br>[[Zōjō-ten]] |
|[[持国天]]<br>[[Jikoku-ten]] | |[[持国天]]<br>[[Jikoku-ten]] | ||
− | |rowspan=2|広目天<br>[[Kōmoku-ten]] | + | |rowspan=2|[[広目天]]<br>[[Kōmoku-ten]] |
|- | |- | ||
− | |治国天<br>Zōchō-ten | + | |[[治国天]]<br>[[Zōchō-ten]] |
|- | |- | ||
|{{Wiki|Hangul}}<br>Revised Romanization of Korean|romanized [[Korean]] | |{{Wiki|Hangul}}<br>Revised Romanization of Korean|romanized [[Korean]] | ||
− | |다문천왕<br>Damun-cheonwang | + | |[[다문천왕]]<br>[[Damun-cheonwang]] |
− | |증장천왕<br>Jeungjang-cheonwang | + | |[[증장천왕]]<br>[[Jeungjang-cheonwang]] |
− | |지국천왕<br>Jiguk-cheonwang | + | |[[지국천왕]]<br>[[Jiguk-cheonwang]] |
− | |광목천왕<br>Gwangmok-cheonwang | + | |[[광목천왕]]<br>[[Gwangmok-cheonwang]] |
|- | |- | ||
|Sino-Vietnamese | |Sino-Vietnamese | ||
− | |Đa Văn | + | |[[Đa Văn Thiên]] |
− | |Tăng Trưởng | + | |[[Tăng Trưởng Thiên]] |
− | |Trì Quốc | + | |[[Trì Quốc Thiên]] |
− | |Quảng Mộc | + | |[[Quảng Mộc Thiên]] |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Tibetan]] romanization | |[[Tibetan]] romanization | ||
|[[rnam.thos.sras]] ([[Namthöse]]) | |[[rnam.thos.sras]] ([[Namthöse]]) | ||
− | |phags.skyes.po (Phakyepo) | + | |[[phags.skyes.po]] ([[Phakyepo]]) |
− | |'yul.'khor.srung (Yülkhorsung) | + | |'[[yul.'khor.srung]] (Yülkhorsung) |
− | |spyan.mi.bzang (Chenmizang) | + | |[[spyan.mi.bzang]] ([[Chenmizang]]) |
|- | |- | ||
|{{Wiki|Color}} | |{{Wiki|Color}} | ||
− | |yellow | + | |[[yellow]] |
|red | |red | ||
|green | |green | ||
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|} | |} | ||
− | All four serve [[Śakra]], the [[lord]] of the [[devas]] of [[Trāyastriṃśa]]. On the 8th, 14th and 15th days of each [[lunar month]], the [[Four Heavenly Kings]] either send out [[messengers]] or go themselves to see how [[virtue]] and [[morality]] are faring in the [[world]] of men. Then they report upon the state of affairs to the assembly of the [[Trāyastriṃśa]] [[devas]]. | + | All four serve [[Śakra]], the [[lord]] of the [[devas]] of [[Trāyastriṃśa]]. On the 8th, 14th and 15th days of each [[lunar month]], the [[Four Heavenly Kings]] either send out [[messengers]] or go themselves to see how [[virtue]] and [[morality]] are faring in the [[world]] of men. Then they report upon the [[state]] of affairs to the assembly of the [[Trāyastriṃśa]] [[devas]]. |
On the orders of [[Śakra]], the [[four kings]] and their {{Wiki|retinues}} stand {{Wiki|guard}} to {{Wiki|protect}} [[Trāyastriṃśa]] from another attack by the [[Asuras]], which once threatened to destroy the {{Wiki|kingdom}} of the [[devas]]. They are also [[vowed]] to {{Wiki|protect}} the [[Buddha]], the [[Dharma]], and the [[Buddha's]] followers from [[danger]]. | On the orders of [[Śakra]], the [[four kings]] and their {{Wiki|retinues}} stand {{Wiki|guard}} to {{Wiki|protect}} [[Trāyastriṃśa]] from another attack by the [[Asuras]], which once threatened to destroy the {{Wiki|kingdom}} of the [[devas]]. They are also [[vowed]] to {{Wiki|protect}} the [[Buddha]], the [[Dharma]], and the [[Buddha's]] followers from [[danger]]. | ||
− | [[File:Fourheavenlykings.jpg|center|thumb|1000px|Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings. From left to right: Vaiśravaṇa, Virūḍhaka, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Virūpākṣa.]] | + | [[File:Fourheavenlykings.jpg|center|thumb|1000px|Statues of the [[Four Heavenly Kings]]. From left to right: [[Vaiśravaṇa]], [[Virūḍhaka]], [[Dhṛtarāṣṭra]], and [[Virūpākṣa]].]] |
− | According to [[Vasubandhu]], [[devas]] born in the Cāturmahārājika [[heaven]] are 1/4 of a [[krośa]] in height (about 750 feet tall). They also have a five-hundred year lifespan, of which each day is {{Wiki|equivalent}} to 50 years in our [[world]]; thus their total lifespan amounts to about nine million years (other sources say 90,000 years). | + | According to [[Vasubandhu]], [[devas]] born in the [[Cāturmahārājika]] [[heaven]] are 1/4 of a [[krośa]] in height (about 750 feet tall). They also have a five-hundred year [[lifespan]], of which each day is {{Wiki|equivalent}} to 50 years in our [[world]]; thus their total [[lifespan]] amounts to about nine million years (other sources say 90,000 years). |
− | [[File:Chomyo_Komokuten.jpg|thumb|right|Painting of Kōmokuten (Virūpākṣa), the Guardian of the West (one of the Four Guardian Kings). 13th century.]] | + | [[File:[[Chomyo_Komokuten]].jpg|thumb|right|Painting of [[Kōmokuten]] ([[Virūpākṣa]]), the [[Guardian of the West]] (one of the [[Four Guardian Kings]]). 13th century.]] |
− | The [[symbols]] that the [[Kings]] carry also link the [[deities]] to their followers; for instance, the [[nāgas]], [[magical]] creatures who can change [[form]] between [[human]] and [[serpent]], are led by [[Virūpākṣa]], represented by a [[snake]]; the [[gandharvas]] are [[celestial]] musicians, led by [[Dhṛtarāṣṭra]], represented with a lute. The [[umbrella]] was a [[symbol]] of regal {{Wiki|sovereignty}} in {{Wiki|ancient India}}, and the sword is a [[symbol]] of {{Wiki|martial}} prowess. [[Vaiśravaṇa's]] {{Wiki|mongoose}}, which ejects [[jewels]] from its {{Wiki|mouth}}, is said to represent [[generosity]] in opposition to [[greed]]. | + | The [[symbols]] that the [[Kings]] carry also link the [[deities]] to their followers; for instance, the [[nāgas]], [[magical]] creatures who can change [[form]] between [[human]] and [[serpent]], are led by [[Virūpākṣa]], represented by a [[snake]]; the [[gandharvas]] are [[celestial]] musicians, led by [[Dhṛtarāṣṭra]], represented with a lute. The [[umbrella]] was a [[symbol]] of regal {{Wiki|sovereignty}} in {{Wiki|ancient India}}, and the sword is a [[symbol]] of {{Wiki|martial}} prowess. [[Vaiśravaṇa's]] {{Wiki|mongoose}}, which ejects [[jewels]] from its {{Wiki|mouth}}, is said to represent [[generosity]] in [[opposition]] to [[greed]]. |
{|border="0" cellspacing="5" | {|border="0" cellspacing="5" | ||
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({{Wiki|west}}) | ({{Wiki|west}}) | ||
|align = "center"|'''Heavenly [[Kings]]'''<br>({{Wiki|Japanese}}) | |align = "center"|'''Heavenly [[Kings]]'''<br>({{Wiki|Japanese}}) | ||
− | |align = "center"|[[Dhṛtarāṣṭra|Jikoku-ten]] | + | |align = "center"|[[Dhṛtarāṣṭra]]|[[Jikoku-ten]] |
({{Wiki|east}}) | ({{Wiki|east}}) | ||
|- | |- | ||
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|} | |} | ||
− | <gallery caption="Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings of Jikō-ji, Takasago, Hyōgo, Japan. | + | <gallery caption="Statues of the [[Four Heavenly Kings]] of Jikō-ji, Takasago, Hyōgo, Japan. |
" perrow="4"> | " perrow="4"> | ||
− | Image:Jikoji jikokuten.JPG|Jikoku-ten ({{Wiki|east}}) | + | Image:[[Jikoji jikokuten]].JPG|[[Jikoku-ten]] ({{Wiki|east}}) |
− | Image:Jikoji zochoten.JPG|Zōjō-ten ({{Wiki|south}}) | + | Image:[[Jikoji zochoten]].JPG|[[Zōjō-ten]] ({{Wiki|south}}) |
− | Image:Jikoji komokuten.JPG|Kōmoku-ten ({{Wiki|west}}) | + | Image:[[Jikoji komokuten]].JPG|[[Kōmoku-ten]] ({{Wiki|west}}) |
− | Image:Jikoji tamonten.JPG|Tamon-ten ({{Wiki|north}}) | + | Image:[[Jikoji tamonten]].JPG|[[Tamon-ten]] ({{Wiki|north}}) |
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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[[Category:Four heavenly kings]] | [[Category:Four heavenly kings]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
− | [[Category:Buddhist Cosmology]] | + | [[Category:Buddhist Cosmology]]{{BuddhismbyNumber}} |
Latest revision as of 22:15, 15 September 2015
In the Buddhist faith, the Four Heavenly Kings are four gods, each of whom watches over one cardinal direction of the world. In Chinese they are known collectively as the "Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn" (風調雨順 / 风调雨顺? lit. "Good Climate"). four heavenly kings (catumaharaja, si dawang tian): Vaishravana (Kuvera) of the North ("Very Famous" = wealth), the yellow King of the Kinnaras and Yaksas; Dhritirastra of the East ("Protector of the Nation "= strength), the white King of the gandharvas; Virudhaka of the South ("Growing Large" = prosperity), the green king of the Kumbhandas; and Virupaksa of the West ("Wide Eyes" = awareness), the red King of the Nagas.
See; "lokapalas."
Nomenclature
The Kings are collectively named as follows.
The Four Heavenly Kings
The Four Heavenly Kings are said to currently live in the Cāturmahārājika heaven (Pāli Cātummahārājika, "Of the Four Great Kings") on the lower slopes of Mount Sumeru, which is the lowest of the six worlds of the devas of the Kāmadhātu. They are the protectors of the world and fighters of evil, each able to command a legion of supernatural creatures to protect the Dharma.
All four serve Śakra, the lord of the devas of Trāyastriṃśa. On the 8th, 14th and 15th days of each lunar month, the Four Heavenly Kings either send out messengers or go themselves to see how virtue and morality are faring in the world of men. Then they report upon the state of affairs to the assembly of the Trāyastriṃśa devas.
On the orders of Śakra, the four kings and their retinues stand guard to protect Trāyastriṃśa from another attack by the Asuras, which once threatened to destroy the kingdom of the devas. They are also vowed to protect the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Buddha's followers from danger.
![](/en/images/b/b4/Fourheavenlykings.jpg)
According to Vasubandhu, devas born in the Cāturmahārājika heaven are 1/4 of a krośa in height (about 750 feet tall). They also have a five-hundred year lifespan, of which each day is equivalent to 50 years in our world; thus their total lifespan amounts to about nine million years (other sources say 90,000 years). [[File:Chomyo_Komokuten.jpg|thumb|right|Painting of Kōmokuten (Virūpākṣa), the Guardian of the West (one of the Four Guardian Kings). 13th century.]] The symbols that the Kings carry also link the deities to their followers; for instance, the nāgas, magical creatures who can change form between human and serpent, are led by Virūpākṣa, represented by a snake; the gandharvas are celestial musicians, led by Dhṛtarāṣṭra, represented with a lute. The umbrella was a symbol of regal sovereignty in ancient India, and the sword is a symbol of martial prowess. Vaiśravaṇa's mongoose, which ejects jewels from its mouth, is said to represent generosity in opposition to greed.
Tamon-ten
(north) |
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Kōmoku-ten
(west) |
Heavenly Kings (Japanese) |
Dhṛtarāṣṭra|Jikoku-ten
(east) |
Zōjō-ten
(south) |
- Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings of Jikō-ji, Takasago, Hyōgo, Japan.