'Butsu': |
a
Buddha |
'Nyorai': |
a
Buddha (in esoteric tradition) |
'Myo-o':
also,
'Daison
Myo-o':
|
a Wrathful
King of Mystic Knowledge.
represents the power of the Butsu/Nyorai to vanquish blind
craving
Myo-o are masters of the power of mystical spells - jumon
/shingon (mantras).
Myo-o protect adherents of the Dharma from all harm and
evil influences. They are wrathful (funnu) &
terrifying in appearance, yet they embody the indomitable
power of compassion which breaks down all obstacles to wisdom
and liberation.
"great and venerable kings of magic knowledge"
|
'Godai
Myo-o'
or
'Godai-son': |
The
Five Great Wrathful Kings of Mystic Knowledge - a group of
five Myo-o, headed by Fudo myo-o, and seen to be the emanations
of the Buddhas
[There is also a group comprised of eight Myo-o who are
seen to be the eminations of Bosatsu] |
'Ni-o':
|
the
Two Kings - a dual form of Dainichi Nyorai
The Ni-o - are sometimes identified with Fudo Myo-o and Aizen
Myo-o |
'Ten': |
the gods of the 'twelve directions' |
'Tenno': |
the
four heavenly kings:
each of which isresponsible for one of the four cardinal
directions.
Each tenno leads an army of supernatural creatures
who help them protect the Dharma, and keep demons at bay
|
'Bosatsu': |
a
Bodhisatva - one who has realized enlightenment - but who,
rather than enter into the supreme state of nirvana, holds
back until all beings are saved from suffering. |
Amida
Butsu
|
Buddha
of Infinite Light & Life, and Lord of the Pure Land
of the Western Paradise, Amida is the central deity in the
Jodoshu (Pure Land) & Jodo Shinsu ( True
Pure Land) Schools.
Amida possesses infinite wisdom and a compassionate heart.
He relieves the suffering of the distressed. One of the
primary vows of Amida Nyorai is that he will never abandon
even those who have committed serious transgressions. All
may achieve spiritual peace of mind and salvation by relying
on his power
Also known to provide comfortable long life.
|
Ashuku
Nyorai |
chief
Buddha of the heavenly realm known as the Land of Extreme
Bliss.
Ashuku imbues his devotees immovable, unshakable faith &
the aspiration for the realization of buddhahood
|
Dainichi
Nyorai |
The
Great Shining Cosmic Buddha - central to Shingon, Dainichi
Nyorai is the life force of the buddhas that illuminates
all things - the universal truth which dissolves away all
troubles and rescues us from uncertainty
|
Shaka
Nyorai / Shakyamuni Butsu
|
The
historical Buddha who lived in India about 2,500 years ago,
who is, at the same time considered to be the Original Eternal
Buddha (hombutsu) who is unborn and undying and is
the source of all other manifestations of buddhahood
|
Taho
Nyorai |
the
'Many Treasures' Buddha. Taho personifies objective reality,
and represents all the buddhas of the past |
Yakushi
Nyorai |
'The
master of remedies', Yakushi, the nyorai of
Healing, brings comfort by curing illness - both mental
and physical.
With his right hand Yakushi forms the 'wish-granting'
mudra. In his left hand he holds a medicine jar of pure
emerald, the radiance from which cures illness of body and
mind - hence his other name: Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai, the
nyorai of Emerald Radiance.
|
Aizen
Myo-o |
Aizen
Myo-o represents the five elements of earth, water, fire,
air, and space, as well as the Womb World Mandala, and objective
truth.
The two myo-o Aizen & Fudo are sometimes identified with
the Ni-o, the 'Two Kings', and as such are seen as a dual
manifestation of Dainichi Nyorai.
Aizen Myo-o is often invoked in connection withissues of romantic
and or sexual love |
Fudo
Myo-o
also:
Joju Kongo |
AKA
Joju Kongo, 'the eternal and immutable diamond',
Fudo Myo-o, the destroyer of the passions, represents the
element of spirit or mind, the Diamond World Mandala, and
subjective wisdom.
In his right hand, Fudo holds a sword which aids him to
combat the 'three poisons': greed, anger and ignorance.
He holds a rope with which to bind the evil forces and to
prevent them from causing harm
|
Dai
Bishamon Tenno
also: Bishamon Ten,
or Tamon-ten
|
Heavenly
King: guardian of the north, & chief of the four Heavenly
Kings |
Dai Jikoku Tenno |
Heavenly
King: guardian of the east; he presides over the spring season. |
Dai
Komoko Tenno |
Heavenly
King: guardian of the west; he presides over the autumn season |
Dai
Zocho Tenno |
Heavenly
King: guardian of the south; he presides over the summer season |
Anryugyo
Bosatsu
'Steadily-Established Practice' |
one
of the four bosatsu of the earth - original disciples of the
Original Buddha - incomparably greater in power & stature
than even the celestial bosatsu
- represents the bliss of Nirvana - liberation from suffering.
|
Fugen
Bosatsu |
Fugen
represents all of the vows made by the Buddha and is a protector
of those who teach the Dharma.
Fuken Bosatsu is said to provide his worshipperd with longevity,
and take away their pain and suffering
|
Jizo
Bosatsu |
In
his right hand Jizo Bosatsu holds a six-ringed shakujo
stick which he shakes to awaken us from our deluded
dreams. He holds a jewel in his left hand, signifying his
power to bestow treasures and wealth on all beings.
Protective amulets of Jizo Bosatsu Bodhisattva lend power
to the weak, those who find themselves in dangerous situations,
or who are in desolate places.
Jizo, is conceived of as a helper of the souls of deceased
children, and is venerated as a savior of those suffering
in the various Buddhist hells
|
Jogyo
Bosatsu
'Superior-Practice' |
-
one of the four bosatsu of the earth.
Jogyo represents the true self -the selflessness of Nirvana
|
Jyogyo
Bosatsu
'Pure-Practice' |
-
one of the four bosatsu of the earth.
Jyogyo represents freedom from all that is impure |
Kanzeon
Bosatsu
also:
Kannon Bosatsu
and
Kanjizai Bosatsu
|
'He
who perceives the sounds of the World', Kanzeon Bosatsu
made a vow to listen grant salvation to the suffering and
the afflicted, and dispel the evil and calamities that surround
us.
Kanzeon can manifest in any of thirty-three forms, the most
common of these being:
- Sho
Kanzeon - the Sacred Kanzeon
- Juichimen
Kanzeon - the Eleven Faced Kanzeon
- Senju
(Sengan) Kanzeon - the Thousand Armed (& Thousand
Eyed) Kanzeon
- Nyoirin
Kanzeon - the Wish Fulfilling Kanzeon
- Bato
Kanzeon - the Horse Headed Kanzeon
- Fukukenjaku
Kanzeon - with rope and net
- Juntei
Kanzeon - the multi-armed (usually eighteen armed) Kanzeon
|
Kokuzo
Bosatsu |
Kokuzo
Bosatsu holds a wish-granting gem (nyoihoshu) representing
joy and virtue, through which he bestows worldly blessings
including happiness, wisdom and good fortune on all beings.
In his right hand he carries a sharp sword which represents
wisdom. provides of virtue from his unlimited sources.
It is said that, in his youth, the founder of Shingon Buddhism
- Kobo Daishi
recited the mantra of Kokuzo one million times, and practiced
the Kokuzo Gumonji-ho The Morning Star meditation"
- an esoteric discipline undertaken by devotees in order
that Kokuzo will grant them increased intelligence.
|
Miroku
Bosatsu
also:
Jishi Bosatsu |
Miroku
Bosatsu is the buddha of the future: Maitreya, who currently
resides in the heavenly realm of Tushita
|
Monju(shiri)
Bosatsu |
chief
of the bodhisattvas, represents the wisdom of Buddha. Monju
is especially associated with the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras.
Monju blesses people with spiritual awakening and frees us
from doubt.
Monju is often called on by those sitting entrance exams,
or seeking to achieve a better level of performance/grades
in education. |
Muhengyo Bosatsu
'Limitless-Practice' |
-
one of the four bosatsu of the earth
represents eternity -the unborn and undying nature of Nirvana
|
Seishi
Bosatsu
also:
Daiseishi Bosatsu |
Seishi
Bosatsu vigourously seeks to awaken the Buddha nature/wisdom
inherent in all beings and encourage them to grow towards
enlightenment.
He possesses supreme power to steer people away from 'dark'
paths.
Seishi also brings positive changes in luck, and his assistance
is sought by those desiring to a chieve better levels of
performance in training
|
Yakuo
Bosatsu
the 'Medicine King' |
-
represents the healing power of the Buddha.
Brother to Yakujo Bosatsu
It is said that, in the future, Yakuo will attain enlightenment/buddhahood
and be known as Jogen (Pure Eye) Bosatsu |
Yakujo
Bosatsu
the 'Medicine Superior' |
It
is said that, in the future, Yakujo will attain enlightenment/buddhahood
and be known as Jozo (Pure Treasury) Bosatsu |