Japanese Buddha Altar Temple Shi Ten No BU DEVA Kings 4 Start Price USD 3,000.00 Current Price USD 3,000.00 Time Left 4 days 10 hours 37 minutes Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, September 16, 2008 End Time Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Location Japan See more about 'Japanese Buddha Altar Temple Shi Ten No BU DEVA Kings 4' Description Japanese Buddhist Temple Shi Ten No BU DEVA Kings Complete Set of Statues - FREE EMS SHIPPING! Description: "PREMIUM! Buddhist Butsudan Altar Temple Shi Ten No BU DEVA Kings - 4 Piece Set-Very Very RARE Sculpture Offering!  Ichigo Ichie or once in a lifetime" DIMENSIONS: <-CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES->   Overall Height x Width x Depth in Centimeters: Jikokuten (With the Sword) = 61 x 22 x 19 cm Tamonten/Bishamonten = 69 x 26 x 20 cm Komokuten (Spear on the left hand) = 71.5 x 25 x 20 cm Zochoten (Spear on the right hand) = 73.5 x 24 x 24 cm SHITENNOSanskrit = Lokala, Lokapala, CaturmaharajaFour Deva Kings, Four Heavenly KingsGuardians of the DharmaGuardians of the Four Compass DirectionsJikokuten (East), Zouchoten (South)Koumokuten (West), Tamonten (North)Governed by Taishakuten, Lord of the CenterORIGIN:  Hindu Deities incorporated into Buddhism Members of the Tenbu (Skt. = Deva) Four Heavenly Kings, the ShitennoAt Hase Dera in Kamakura (life-size metal statues, modern)From Left: Tamonten, Jikokuten, Koumokuten, ZouchotenDressed in armor and trampling the Jyaki (or Tentouki/Ryuutoki)Shitenno = "Four Celestial Guardians"Their iconography is closely associated withthe Four Celestial Emblems (dragon, red bird,tiger, turtle) of the Chinese Emperor. These fourcreatures also guard the four cardinal directions. See Shijin for more on the four Chinese creatures. Click image toview details onthat deityHISTORICAL NOTES: Guardians of the Four Directions, Protectors of Buddhist Law, Protectors of Human Kind, Protectors of the Bosatsu and Nyorai. Most often found standing at the corners of alters. Ferocious looking, sometimes with fiery halo behind them, often stepping on demons called Jyaki. They protect the Buddhist realm for Taishakuten (Skt. Indra, god of the center), serving as his generals to guard the territories inhabited by humans. Originally from Hindu mythology, and later incorporated into Buddhism. In the Lotus Sutra, they vow to protect those who believe in the Dharma (Buddhist teachings). In Japanese artwork, especially in the mandala form, the four typically appear in a set order, starting with East (Jikokuten), followed by Zouchoten (South), Komokuten (West), and Tamonten (North). All four are described in Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese texts, but their attributes, colors, and sometimes their names, often vary.All four are depicted as warriors, and usually shown holding weapons, but there is no "hard" rule for the objects in their hands, and variations are common. Nevertheless, the objects they carry are always tools to eliminate evil influences and suppress the enemies of Buddhism. All four are Deva (Sanskrit), celestial beings who occupy the realm just above humans and just below the enlightened Bodhisattva. See Six Realms for details.The Shitenno live halfway down the four sides of Mt. Shumisen (Mt. Sumeru or Mt. Meru, Jp. = Shumisen ???), the mythical home of Shakya Nyorai (Historical Buddha). According to Buddhist lore, Mt. Sumeru is located at the center of the universe, surrounded by eight mountain ranges, and in the ocean between the 7th and 8th there are four continents inhabited by humans. These four continents are protected by the Shitenno, with each leading an army of supernatural creatures to keep the fighting Ashura at bay. On the top of Mt. Sumeru is the heavenly palace of Shakya Nyorai, and the abode of the Trayastrimsha (33 Gods) ruled by Taishakuten, who commands the Shitenno. Shitenno symbolism and artwork in Japan reflects not only its Hindu origins, but also its association with the four mythical Chinese creatures -- the dragon, red bird, tiger, and tortoise. These four creatures, known as the Celestial Emblems of the Chinese Emperor, are also considered the guardians of the four compass directions, and appear prominently in artwork in China. Each has a corresponding season, color, element, and virtue -- so do each of the Shitenno. But in Japan, the four Chinese creatures are mostly supplanted by their Buddhist equivalents, the Shitenno. Note: In Japan, there are statues of various followers of the Shitenno. These statues of the followers are referred to as the Shitenno Kenzoku. In Tibet, the guardians of the four directions are known as "Jjig-rtenskyong" and in Chinese as the "T'ien-wang."   Click any link belowto jump to that deity's pageTaishakuten or TaishakuSanskrit = IndraThe Lord of the Center Commands the ShitennoLord of the Heaven of 33 GodsJikokutenSkt = Dhrtarasta, DhritarashtraEast, Spring, Green/Blue, Water"Guardian of the Nation" or "Kingdom Keeper"Zouchoten or ZochotenSanskrit = VirudhakaSouth, Summer, Red, Fire"One who Expands, One who Enlarges"wisdom and increases moderationKoumokuten or KomokutenSanskrit = Virupaksa, VirupakshaWest, Fall, White, Metal "Wide Eyed," for he sees through evil, discerns and punishes evil, andencourages aspirations for enlightenmentTamontenSkt = Vaisravana, VaishravanaNorth, Winter, Black, Earth"Renowned, Well-Known One"Also called Bishamonten, one of Japan's Seven Lucky Deities.One who is all knowing, One who hears everything in the kingdomOne who is always listening; completely versed in Buddha's teachings The most popular and widely known of the four in Japan --- **(Gallery/1st item picture only)  *please see the cigarette box scale as well and check the pictures carefully* We have more...other Items we have:   Items shown other than gallery picture are for your reference only (other items included for advertisement/reference only):         @ As described above - what you see is what you get -- SOLD AS IS -- Please ask for any questions or more pictures. 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