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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 Courtesy
Tobifudo (J-site)
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Jikokuten
Skt = Dhrtarastra, Dhrtarasta, Dhritarashtra
East, Spring, Green/Blue, Water
Member of the TENBU, DEVA, and SHITENNO
ORIGIN: Hindu Deity incorporated into Buddhism
Modern metal statue of Jikokuten at Hase Dera, Kamakura
(click image to see full-size photo)
One of the SHITENNO
Four Deva Kings, Four Heavenly Kings
Buddhist Guardians of East, West, North, South
Governed by Taishakuten (Skt. Indra), Lord of the Center
Links to All the Shitenno
Jikokuten | Zōchōten | Kōmokuten | Tamonten | Taishakuten
Jikokuten
Skt = Dhrtarasta, Dhritarashtra
East, Spring, Green/Blue, Water
Name literally means "Guardian of the Nation;" Maintains and Protects the State/Nation/World; Kingdom Keeper, Upholder of the Nation; usually carries a sword in right hand, with closed left hand resting on hip; sometimes shown holding a stringed instrument or playing a lute; said to command an army of Kendatsuba (Gandharva; celestial musicians) and Bishasha (Pisaca; vampire demons); Jikokuten, as the Buddhist protector of the eastern quarter, is similar to the dragon of Chinese mythology. Jikokuten's Tibetan name is Yul Khorsung, and in China he is called Chiguo. (Editor's note: The colors and symbols associated with Jikokuten vary according to sect and location).
Mantra for Jikokuten
Sanskrit for Jikokuten -- CHIRI
Jikokuten (Dhratarastra), Plain wood, 50.3 cm
Asuka Era, 7th Century, Houryuu-ji Temple
Jikokuten (Dhrtarastra), 93 cm, Wood with Pigments
Heian Periond, 11 to 12th century, Houryuu-ji Temple
Says the Great Mandala Study Group
When Jikokuten is depicted with a stringed instrument, this reminds us to seek the Middle Way — if the strings are too tight, they will break; if the strings are too slack, no sound is produced.
JYAKI (JAKI) DEMON - 邪鬼
In Japan, the Four Shitennō Guardians are almost always shown stepping on the Jyaki demon. Click here for more on this demon.
Jyaki at Hase Dera in Kamakura
Four Shitenno, Horyuji (Hōryūji) Temple 法隆寺, Nara
Mid-7th Century. Oldest extant set of the four.
Kōmokuten 広目天, Zōchōten 増長天, Tamonten 多門天, Jikokuten 持国天
Painted Wood, Each Statue Approx. 133.5 cm in Height
Photos from Comprehensive Dictionary of Japan's Nat'l Treasures
国宝大事典 (西川 杏太郎. ISBN 4-06-187822-0.
LEARN MORE
- Shitenno, Four Heavenly Kings. Four Deva Kings. Guardians of East, West, North, South (the four cardinal directions). The Shitenno are also associated with four legendary creatures of Chinese mythology (dragon, red bird, tiger, turtle). See Shijin (Four Celestial Emblems) for more on these four 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.
- Zōchōten 増長天
Height = 187.2 cm, Wood and Dry Lacquer
Nara Era (Late 8th century), Tōshōdaiji Temple 唐招提寺
Photo Source = Vol. 13 日本の仏像
Zōchōten 増長天, H = 184.2 cm, Wood
Dated to Heian Era, 839 AD
Toji (Tōji) Temple 東寺, Kyoto
Photo Source = Vol. 4 日本の仏像
Zōchōten 増長天
Painted Wood, Height = 135.1 cm
Dated to early Kamakura era, 13th century
Mt. Kōya 高野山, Kongōbuji Temple 金剛峰寺
Photo Source = Vol. 10 日本の仏像
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