|
|
|
|
TENBU GROUP - TOP PAGE
TENBU (Japanese)
Literally "Celestial Beings," Protectors of Buddhist Law
Deities from Hindu mythology who converted to Buddhism
|
|
TENBU (Divine Beings)
Hindu deities that converted to Buddhism by learning the teachings of the Historical Buddha. Like the Myo-o, they stand guard over the Nyorai and Bosatsu. The Sanskrit term "deva" is translated as "ten" in Japan, meaning "Celestial Beings." The Tenbu grouping includes the Deva and many other divine beings, including creatures like the Dragon and the bird-man Karura. Most originated in ancient Indian myths, but once incorporated into Buddhism, they became protectors of Buddhist Law (dharma in Sanskrit). The Tenbu appear in great number in Japanese mandalas. Among the Tenbu, Bonten and Taishakuten are highest in rank. Tenbu artwork becomes very prominent by the Heian Period (late 10th century AD).
The TENBU live for countless ages, but even they grow old and die, for they are still caught within the Six States of Existence, the cycle of suffering, of rebirth and redeath (i.e., Sanskrit samasara). See below chart for detailed listings. Please visit the specific links for photos and notes.
|
THE TENBU
12 Devas (Juni-ten)
4 Devas (Shitenno)
Nio Protectors
8 Legions (Hachi-bushu)
28 Legions (Nijuhachibushu)
12 Generals (Juni-shinsho)
Taishakuten
Tamonten (aka Bishamon)
Bishamonten (aka Tamon)
Kichijouten
Benzaiten
Daikokuten
Dragon (8 Legions)
Karura (28 Legions)
|
|
|
|
The Deva also represent the highest state of existence prior to Buddahood. There are six states (see Six States page for full details). The lowest three states are called the three evil paths, or three bad states. They are (1) people in hells; (2) hungry ghosts; (3) animals. The highest three states are (4) Asuras; (5) Humans; (6) Devas. All beings in these six states are doomed to death and rebirth in a recurring cycle over countless ages -- unless they can break free from desire and attain enlightenment. Even the lives of the powerful Deva come to an end, for they are not yet free from the cycle of birth and death. Only those who attain enlightenment (the Bosatsu, Rakan, and Nyorai) are free from the cycle of birth and death, the cycle of suffering (samsara in Sanskrit). To escape from the cycle, one must either (1) achieve Buddhahood in one's life, or (2) be reborn in Amida Nyorai's Western Pure Land, practice there, and achive enlightenment there. Those reborn in the Pure Land are no longer trapped in the cycle of birth and death (samsara), and can thus devote all their efforts to attaining enlightenment.
Below Text Courtesy of:
www.jinjapan.org/museum/bud/tenbu/about_te.html
In India's ancient religious traditions, which heavily influenced Buddhism, certain auxiliary deities are called deva, translated in Japanese as ten (or collectivity as tenbu). There are various types of ten and there are also numerous deities known as shin. These deities usually first appeared in ancient Indian myths, and from the time of Siddhartha Gautama (the Historical Buddha) they developed a deep interrelationship with Buddhism. Once incorporated into the Buddhist tradition, they became objects of faith and came to be worshiped as protectors of the Buddhist Law (dharma in Sanskrit). With the development of Esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyo) in Japan, the number of these auxiliary tenbu deities increased even further. They became particularly important for the design of mandalas, where they appear in great number.
Iconographically, they wear "deva clothing," which almost always includes a skirt or wrap-around tunic, and often leaves the upper part of the torso exposed. They often wear elaborate crown-like headdresses and other decorative accessories. Many Tenbu deities are also garbed in warrior dress with weapons in their hands. In accordance with Buddhist cosmology, each Deva has an assigned quarter of heaven to fulfill its specific mission.
Many of the artistic representations of devas are revered as "attendants" placed at the sides of usually larger Buddhist images which serve as the main focuses of devotion. Certain devas, however, like Kichijoten, Benzaiten, and Suiten, received independent status as main objects of devotion, attracting the faith of wide segments of the Japanese people.
Buddha is believed to live in Shumisen, or Mt. Shumi. There is an ocean and a gigantic lotus growing there. Numerous smaller lotuses are blooming there. These lotuses contain oceans, which contain four large islands, and Shumisen is in the middle of the islands. These four islands are protected by the Shitenno. Human beings and other animals are thought to live on the southern island.
LEARN MORE
- Japanese Government Site
http://web-japan.org/museum/bud/tenbu/tenbut.html
- Kyoto National Museum
www.kyohaku.go.jp/meihin/kaiga/butuga/mh41j.htm
- http://member.nifty.ne.jp/asunara/ten.htm
|
|
