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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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Last Update: Oct. 17, 2007 - Added text & images
Kōmokuten, Komokuten, Koumokuten
Sanskrit = Virupaksa, Virupaksha
West, Fall, White, Metal
Member of the TENBU, DEVA, and SHITENNO
ORIGIN: Hindu Deity incorporated into Buddhism
Kōmokuten 広目天
Painted Clay, H = 162.7 cm, 8th Century
Todaiji (Tōdaiji) Temple 東大寺, Nara
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
Komokuten 広目天 (Kōmokuten) literally means "Wide Eyed" or "Expansive Vision," for Komokuten sees through evil, punishes evil, and encourages aspirations for enlightenment. Komokuten is one of the four Shintenno, a group of fierce-looking (忿怒相 funnusō) guardian deities who protect the four cardinal directions of Buddha's realm. In artwork, the four are typically placed around the central deity on Buddhist altars. Komokuten protects the western quarter. Like the other members of the Shintenno group, Komokuten is typically dressed in armor (yoroi 鎧) and stands atop a demon (jaki 邪鬼). In Japan, Komokuten statues commonly depict the deity holding a writing brush in the right hand and a scroll in the left, or clenching the right fist while the left holds a three-pronged spear (sansageki 三叉戟). However, the deity's attributes are not rigidly prescribed. The oldest statue of Komokuten in Japan (see photo at right) dates to the middle 7th century and is located at Hōryūji Temple 法隆寺 in Nara. It is part of an extant set of all four.
In mainland Asia, Komokuten is often shown with red skin holding a jewel in one hand and a snake in the other or coiled around the deity. Komokuten is attended by the Naga (Sanskrit for serpents, including dragons) and the Pūtanā (type of hungry ghost associated with fevers and protecting pregnant women; in Vedic traditions a demon witch who killed babies). Komokuten is the Buddhist equivalent to the white tiger of Chinese mythology, in which four creatures (dragon, tiger, red bird, turtle) guard the four cardinal directions. In China, Komokuten is called Guangmu, in Tibet Mig Midang. (Editor's note: The color associated with Komokuten varies and does not appear to be rigidly set).
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.
Kōmokuten 広目天
Toji (Tōji) Temple 東寺, Kyoto
Heian Era, 839 AD, H = 171.8 cm, Painted Wood
Photo Source = Vol. 4 日本の仏像
Kōmokuten 広目天, H = 135.2 cm
Dated to early Kamakura era, 13th century
Mt. Kōya 高野山, Kongōbuji Temple 金剛峰寺
Originally located at Todaiji (Tōdaiji) Temple 東大寺
Photo Source = Vol. 10 日本の仏像
Kōmokuten 広目天
Oldest extant image of Komokuten
Wood, H = 133.3 cm, Mid-7th Century
Hōryūji Temple 法隆寺 in Nara
Carved by Yamaguchi Busshi
Mantra for Komokuten
Sanskrit for Komokuten -- VI or BI
 
(L) Komokuten at Hase Dera in Kamakura (metal, modern)
(R) Komokuten, 110 cm Wood, Heian Era 11 Century, Houryuu-ji
Komokuten (Virupaksa), 94 cm Wood with Pigments
Heian Era 12th C, Houryuu-ji Temple
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
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)
- More on Putana (Vedic demon witch; 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.
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