PDF On the Curious Life of Sanskrit in Japan the Case of a 17th Century Japanese Siddham Manual Georgi Krastev

He re-established the temple there, modifying it to enshrine both Bishamonten and the deity he workshipped, Senju Kannon, the goddess of Mercy and Compassion. He named the temple buildings Kuramadera, after the name of the mountain. The asuras have also been described as ‘inferior deities’ or as being like fallen angels. In some cases they are reported to be more powerful than the yakshas mentioned above. Getty notes that “In Japan [Vaiśravaṇa] is worshipped under the name Bishamon, and is represented in armour ornamented with the seven precious jewels, and is generally standing on one or two demons. In his left hand he holds either a small shrine or the flaming pearl, while in his right is a jewelled lance.” The shrine is said to represent the Iron Tower in India where the Buddhist scriptures were found.

The nearby Tamura Shrine is considered the foremost shrine in Kagawa Prefecture. Also of interest is Ritsurin Park and Garden, known as one of the three most beautiful gardens in all of Japan. The plateau is called Goshiki Dai because it consists of five differently colored peaks symbolizing the five forms of Buddha Mahavairocana.

Many of the mantras are embedded in the various chants done in the Korean tradition. The one you mentioned is included in the Morning Bell Chant They in turn, come from the Chinese tradition, so presumably one could research their origin that way. I have seen some of these mantra's in various sutra's and shastra's, but I am definitely no scholar when it comes to that stuff.

And of course there are dharanis, which are longer than popular mantras and daily recited in the morning, noon and evening. Daihishin of Avalokiteshvara, Butchosonsho of Ushnishavijaya and other. The symbolism of the Buddhist deity is also an additional reason for the popularity of these tattoos as both wrath and unshakable faith are two of the most popular themes in tattoo designs. Japan is a country of many religions and mythologies – Shintoism being the oldest and most prominent one, followed by different variations of Buddhism, Chinese Taoism, and Hinduism.

This, strangely enough, reminds me of contemporary football teams – either high school or college – praying for divine intervention. The winning side convinces itself that it has been shown celestial favoritism. The detail shown below is from a Meiji period painting of Bishamon. It was purchased by Patdem and posted by him at commons.wikimedia.org. Let’s start with this gorgeous Edo period, polychromed, wooden sculpture of Bishamon standing on top of a blue demon.

Later, they built a statue of the Ushi-oni near the fountain in the temple compound. There is a particular figure of statue which is called Tobatsu Bishamonten. It wears armor knitted from chains (Kinsako (金鎖甲), and protective gear called Ebigote (海老籠手) over the arms, as well as a coronet on the head.

Additionally, in Mikkyo it is one of the juniten (十二天) and is said to guard the north. In Japan it is one of the seven deities of good luck as a unique faith and is revered because it seems to benefit games especially. Has the name "Kuvera" from a name he had from a past life as a rich Brahmin mill-owner from Sri Lanka, who gave all the produce of one of his seven mills to charity, and provided alms to the needy for 20,000 years. He was reborn in the Cātummahārājikā heaven as a result of this good karma. One of Japan’s first major studies of Buddhist iconography. Hundreds of pages and drawings, with deities classified into approximately 80 categories.

Therein, Jikokuten and Bishamonten pledge on behalf of all 毘沙門天 four to protect those who embrace the Lotus Sutra. Oldest extant statue of Tamonten is part of a set of four Shitennō statues possessed by Hōryūji Temple 法隆寺 in Nara that dates to the mid-7th Century. The skillful means provided by the puja, empowerment, and practice of the Dzambhalas work best with the right intention of developing bodhicitta to reach enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. All Dzambhalas are said to be the wealth giving form of Avalokitesvara, this means they originally emanated from Avalokitesvara or the Compassionate Buddha. Of interest here are the numerous crutches left by people who been miraculously cured during their pilgrimage.

The Deva (meaning “celestial beings”) rank above theAsura and humans in the six stages of existence. Many devas have godlike powers, and reign over celestial kingdoms of happiness and splendor. Deva live countless years, but their lives eventually end, for the Deva are not yet free from the cycle of birth and death . That distinction belongs only to the Bosatsu, the Rakan, andNyorai . Among the Eight Legions, the Deva are represented most often by Bonten,Taishakuten, the four Shitennō , and the Goddess Benzaiten. Among the eight Yashaou, and one of Bishamonten’s attendants.