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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 Characters
Courtesy of:
www.tctv.ne.jp/
tobifudo/butuzo/
hotoke/hotokes.html
(Japanese site)
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Koumokuten or Komokuten
Sanskrit = Virupaksa, Virupaksha
West, Fall, White, Metal
Member of the TENBU, DEVA, and SHITENNO
ORIGIN: Hindu Deity incorporated into Buddhism
Koumokuten at Todaiji Temple, Nara Period (wood)
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 | Zouchoten | Koumokuten | Tamonten | Taishakuten
In Japan, his name can be literally translated as "Wide Eyed," for he sees through evil, discerns and punishes evil, and encourages aspirations for enlightenment; in Japan, often shown carrying a writing brush and scroll; in mainland Asia, often shown with red skin holding a jewel in one hand and a snake in the other or coiled around him; attended by the Nagas (serpents, including the dragon) and the Putanas (type of hungry ghost associated with fevers and protecting pregnant women). Koumokuten is the Buddhist equivalent to the white tiger of Chinese mythology. In China, Koumokuten is called Guangmu, in Tibet Mig Midang. (Editor's note: The color associated with Koumokuten varies in the various texts).
Mantra for Koumokuten
Sanskrit for Koumokuten -- VI or BI
 
(L) Koumokuten at Hase Dera in Kamakura (metal, modern)
(R) Koumokuten, 110 cm Wood, Heian Era 11 Century, Houryuu-ji
Koumokuten (Virupaksa), 94 cm Wood with Pigments
Heian Era 12th C, Houryuu-ji Temple
JYAKI DEMON
In Japan, the Four Shitenno 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,
Commanded by Taishakuten
See the top page for the Shitenno for much more.
- The Shitenno are also associated with the four legendary creatures of Chinese mythology. See Shijin for more on these four creatures.
- The Great Mandala (Gohonzon) Study Group
www.gakkaionline.net/mandala/4Kings.html
- Wonderful Site for Textual Info on Buddhism
campross.crosswinds.net/ShuteiMandala/4kings.html
Excerpt: "They appear in the ceremony of the Lotus Sutra with their ten thousand retainer gods; in the "Dharani" (26th chapter), Bishamonten and Jikokuten pledge on behalf of all four to protect those who embrace the Lotus Sutra."
- Nara National Museum - Japanese Language Only
http://www.narahaku.go.jp/meihin/
Wonderful photos of various deities
- Kyoto National Museum
http://www.kyohaku.go.jp/meihin/mhind3e.htm
- Above Sanskrit Characters Courtesy of: (Japanese language site)
http://www.tctv.ne.jp/tobifudo/butuzo/hotoke/hotokes.html
- Japanese Language Pages about Shitenno
www.tctv.ne.jp/tobifudo/bonzisyo/set/4ten.html
- Diagram of Mt. Sumeru
The Buddhist Realm (Japanese language only)
www.tctv.ne.jp/tobifudo/HandS/tango/3000sekai/3senseksai.html
- In Japanese mandala, the four Shitenno guardians 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).
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