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FAMILY TREE
BUDDHIST DEITIES IN JAPAN
Standard Classification
Most originated in India
Below list does not include less-known deities.
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Japanese Buddhist deities are traditionally classified into four categories, and the same scheme is used at this web site. There are other deities that don't fit easily into any category. These latter deities are listed below in a fifth category called "Others." Nearly all listed deities originated in India. The majority of Buddhist sculpture in Japan belongs to the Mahayana tradition. Although sculpture belonging to the Theravada (Hinayana) and Vajrayana (Esoteric) traditions is less prominent, it is nonetheless plentiful. Sects from all three schools are still active in Japan. For more on these three main schools of Buddhism, click here. For a guide to the main teachings of the Historical Buddha, please click here.
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BUDDHA, TATHAGATA. Buddha is not a personal name, but a Sanskrit term of praise, like messiah or christ, the anointed one. Another common term for Buddha is Tathagata. In Japan, Tathagata is rendered as "Nyorai," an honorific title given to those who have attained enlightenment. The Historical Buddha (lived 561? - 483 BC) is one of the most widely recognized Nyorai. For other terms of importance, including the ten honorific titles for Buddha, please visit the Terminology page.
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Intro Page
Shaka (Historical Buddha)
Amida (Amitabha)
Yakushi (Bhaisaya)
Birushana (Vairocana)
Dainichi (Mahavairocana)
Miroku (Maitreya)
Ashuku (Akshobhya)
Godai Nyorai (5 Tathagata)
Fukujoju (Amoghasiddha)
Hosho (Ratnasambhava)
Others (see intro page)
Sanzebutsu 三世仏
Buddha of the Three Worlds
Past (Amida Nyorai)
Present (Shaka Nyorai)
Future (Miroku Nyorai)
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Bodhisattva (lit. one who seeks enlightenment) are those who have reached the final stage of transmigration and enlightenment, just prior to becoming a Buddha. Bosatsu will certainly attain Buddhahood, but for a time, they renounce the blissful state of Nirvana (freedom from suffering), vowing to remain on earth in various guises (reincarnations) to help all living beings achieve salvation. The term has other meanings, but the above Mahayana concept is the most widely known. See Bosatsu Intro Page for other definitions. In Therevada Buddhism, those who have attained the final stage of transmigration and enlightenment are called the Arhat (Rakan).
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Intro Page
Kannon (Avalokitesvara)
Jizo (Ksitigarbha)
Fugen (Samantabhadra)
Miroku (Maitreya)
Kokuzo (Akasagarbha)
Monju (Manjushri)
Seishi (Mahasthamaprapta)
Gakko (Candraprabha)
Nikko (Suryaprabha)
Hozo (Dharmakara)
Tarani (Tara)
Bosatsu on Clouds
Four Bosatsu of Mercy
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Vidyaraja in Sanskrit. Introduced to Japan in 9th century. Originally Hindu deities who were adopted into the pantheon of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism to vanquish blind craving. Myo-ou are also called "hotoke" (Figures of Buddha) in Esoteric Buddhism. They serve and protect the Nyorai, especially Dainichi Nyorai. Mostly worshipped by the Shingon Sect of Esoteric Buddhism.
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Intro Page
Fudo (Acalanatha)
Gosanze (Trilokavijaya)
Gundari (Kundali)
Dai-Itoku (Yamantaka)
Kongo-Yasha (Vajra-yaksa)
Aizen (Ragaraja)
Kujaku (Mahamayuri)
Bato (Hayagriva)
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Hindu deities and non-human entities 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 the Buddhist Law ("dharma" in Sanskrit). The Tenbu appear in great number in mandalas.
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Intro Page
12 Devas (Juniten)
4 Devas (Shitenno)
Nio Protectors (Vajrapani)
8 Legions (Hachi-bushu)
28 Legions of Kannon
12 Generals (Junishinsho)
Bishamonten (Tamonten)
Benzaiten (Sarasvati)
Daikokuten (Mahakala)
Kichijouten (Mahasri)
Sendan Kendatsuba
Visit the Intro Page for a larger listing of Tenbu (40+).
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OTHERS
Some pages still under development
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Seven Lucky Gods
Kariteimo (Kishibojin)
Enma (Judge of Hell)
Gigeiten (performers)
Suijyaku-shin
Rakan Kousou
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SCHOOLS
SECTS & SUTRAS
PEOPLE AND PRIESTS
Most pages still under development
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Three Main Schools
Mandalas
Sects
Timeline
Honzon Chart
Sutras and Tantras
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 Six States of Existence
Transmigration or Reincarnation
All sentient beings are trapped in the cycle of suffering (Sanskrit = samsara), the cycle of death and rebirth, unless they can break free by achieving enlightenment. There are six states in the cycle. 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. 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. Technically speaking, the road from hell to Buddhahood covers ten stages, not six. For full details, please visit the Six States of Existence page.
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F ive Buddha of Wisdom
Especially important to the Shingon Sect of Esoteric Buddhsim, the Five Great Buddha of Wisdom (the Five Buddha of Meditation, the Five Jina, the Five Tathagatas, the Godai Nyorai in Japanese) are eminations of the absolute Buddha. They appear frequently on the Japanese Ryokai Mandala. They embody five fundamental wisdoms -- wisdom against anger, envy, desire, ignorance, and pride -- to help us break free from the cycle of death and rebirth (Skt. samsara). Each of the five Buddha has a specific mudra (hand gesture) that corresponds to five defining episodes in the life of the historical Buddha (see Mudra page for details). Each of the five is also associated with a direction (north, south, east, west, center/zenith). The Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) often wear crowns that bear an effigy of their "spiritual father" -- i.e., one of the Five Buddha of Wisdom. The five are:
- Fukujoju Nyorai (Amoghasiddhi)
- Hosho Nyorai (Ratnasambhava)
- Ashuku Nyorai (Akshobhya)
- Dainichi Nyorai (Vairocana or Mahavairocana)
- Amida (Amitabha)
- Click here for details about the five (Godai Nyorai)
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Definitions of fundamental Buddhist concepts and terminology can be found on the Terminology page. For example, the terms Buddha, Tathagata, Nyorai, Butsu, and Hotoke are, for all practical purposes, synonymous in modern English usage. The terms enlightenment, nirvana, emancipation, and satori are likewise synonymous in modern English usage. These and other terms are discussed in detail on the Terminology page.
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Nearly all statues of the Nyorai and Bosatsu come in three varities -- standing, sitting, or half-leg pose. Less common types show the deity standing on a cloud, or riding on an animal like the mythical Shishi lion, the peacock, or the elephant.
  
The seated/sitting style is known as the Lotus Position.
The half-leg form is called the Half Lotus Position
Above clipart courtesy of:
"How to View Buddhist Statues (As if Wearing Glasses)"
Japanese Language Only
Published by Shogakukan, 2002
ISBN 4093435014
Coverpage
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