The god of war and warriors, Bishamonten is usually clad in armor, with
a spear in one hand and a pagoda in the other. He is the scourge of evil
doers, and the most powerful among the Four Buddhist Guardians of the Four
Directions (Shitenno). When portrayed among the Shitenno, he is known as
Tamonten. He is also one of Japan's Seven Lucky Gods.
The small pagoda he often carries symbolizes the divine treasure house.
He is both a protector of and dispenser of its treasure -- he shares the
pagoda's vast treasures with only "the worthy." Also called Tamonten
(Listens to Many Teachings), for he protects the places where Buddha preaches
and listens always to Buddha's teachings. Said to live halfway down the
north side of Mount Sumeru, Bishamon protects the north, and commands two
classes of mythical spirits and demons -- the Yasha (Yaksa) and the Rasetsu
(Raksha).
Bishamonten is also known as Tamonten, the guardian on the North, and the
most powerful of the Four Heavenly Kings (Shitenno), the Guardians of the
Four Directions. As a member of the Shitenno, he listens to sutras, protects
holy places, carries a pagoda-shaped treasure house in his left hand, and
a spear in his right. Associated with the color black (others say blue),
Tamonten is the god of war and protector against demons. |
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