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]]"). [[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]]. | + | 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]]." | See; "[[lokapalas]]." | ||
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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]]. | ||
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[[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]]. |
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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.
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) |
||
| 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.
