THE FOUR HEAVENLY KINGS
GET TO KNOW FOUR POWERFUL BUDDHIST GODS WHO HELP GIVE WEALTH, SUCCESS, PEACE AND PROTECTION
The Four Heavenly Kings have been featured in many Buddhist sutras, one of which is in the Earth Store Bodhisattva Past Vows Sutra; The Earth Store Bodhisattva is also known as the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva or Di Zhang Pu Sa.
In this particular sutra, Sakyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha) spoke directly to the Four Heavenly Kings to help propagate the Sutra of Past Vows of the Earth Store Bodhisattva. They were also mentioned prominently in the much-revered Golden Light Sutra.
It is said that those who recite the Golden Light Sutra will be protected by the Four Heavenly Kings themselves. Additionally, those who recite and keep the Lotus Sutra will also be protected by the Four Heavenly Kings.
From this we can see that the Four Heavenly Kings are powerful protective Buddhist gods, however, as you read further, they not only protect us, but they also each have a specific function that is different from each other.
At this stage, I would like specify thatthe Four Heavenly Kings are gods in the Buddhist pantheon; this means that they are not yet Bodhisattvas or Buddhas, and they serve the Buddhas or Bodhisattvas.
Again, the Four Heavenly Kings are Buddhist gods, each of them them watching over the cardinal direction of the world assigned to it.
The cardinal directions are East, West, North and South.
In Chinese they are originally known or called "Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn" which literally translates to "Good climate", but in the translation in the Chinese version of the sutras they are called "Sì Dà Tiānwáng” which means “Four Great Heavenly Kings”.
In most Chinese Buddhist temples, we normally see the Hall of Heavenly Kings. It is generally one of the most majestic first rooms one can see.
The Four Heavenly Kings reside at Mount Sumeru, a celestial and cosmic mountain where the heavens are located. They are also the protectors of the world and they fight evil, each of the 4 Heavenly Kings is capable of commanding a legion of supernatural creatures to protect the Dharma or the people who follow the Dharma.
Each of the four Heavenly Kings serves Sakra, the sky devas (gods) of Trayastrimsha. In Buddhism there are many heavens, and Tranyastrimsha heaven is the closest heaven to our world, which is called Jambvudpiva is a Buddhist sutras.
Although they are more commonly called the Four Heavenly Kings, each of them has a name and their specific directions and functions.
Meanings of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhism
VAISRAVANA (He who hears everything)
He is the leader of the Four Heavenly Kings and the main protector of the northern cardinal direction. He is sometimes compared to Bodhisattva Kuan Yin(also spelled or called Quan Yin, Guan Yin, Kuan Shi Yin, Guan Shi Yin, Guan Shi Yin, Quan Shi Yin, Avalokitesvara, Kannon, Chenrezig, Bodhisattva of Compassion, Goddess of Mercy)
Vaisravana is also known as Kubera, Namtose (Namthose), Vessavana, Thao Kuwen, Wetsawan, Wetsuwan, Wéthawún Nat Min, Duō Wén Tiānwáng.< /p>
Vaisravana is the ruler of water or rain, which is also the element that represents wealth or money. The umbrella or the pagoda are its symbolic weapons. Vaisravana is considered a very powerful god of wealth.
In fact, Vaisravana rules over the famous gods of Weatlh, which are the Five Dzambhalas including Red Dzambhala, Dzambhala Yellow, Dzambhala White, Black or Dzambhala Blue and Dzambhala Green.
He rules over the Dzambhalasamong othersYaksha who are generals of the celestial kingdom.
Vaisravana is often associated with the colors yellow and green.
Symbols of Vaisravana: Umbrella, Stupa, Pagoda, Mongoose.
Cardinal Direction< span>: North
VIRUDHAKA (He who makes you grow)
He is theking of the South.He is the master of the wind. And is the god who helps bring about good growth of roots or crops.
His symbolic weapon is the sword, which he carries in his right hand to protect the Dharma and also to symbolize power over ignorance.
Virudhaka is also known asVirūḷhaka, Thao Wirunhok, Virúlaka Nat Min, Zēng Zhǎng Tiānwáng, Zōchō-ten, Jeungjang-cheonwang.
Virudhaka rules over Kumbhanda, which is a group of dwarf spirits and is considered one of the lesser deities of Buddhism.
The virudhaka is often associated with the color blue.
Virudhaka Symbol: Sword
Cardinal Direction: South
DHRTARASTRA (He who defends the kingdom)
He is the king who reigns over the East. He is also considered the God of music.
His symbolic weapon is a stringed instrument called a pipa.
Dhrtarastra is said to use music to convert all sentient beings to Buddhism. Although the four heavenly kings are all harmonious and compassionate.
Dhrtarastra is considered a god who helps promote harmony and compassion.
Dhrtarastra is also known asDhrutharashṭa, Thao Thatarot, Daddáratá Nat Min, Chí Guó Tiānwáng, Jikoku-ten, Jiguk-cheonwang, Yülkhorsung.
Dhrtarastra rules over the gandharvas, who are male nature spirits who have superb celestial and celestial musical talents. They are part animal, usually a bird or horse, and act as messengers between gods and humans.
Dhrtarastra are often associated with the color white.
Dhrtarastra symbol: Pipa
Cardinal Direction: East
VIRUPAKSA (He who sees everything)
He is the king who rules the West. He is considered the one who sees everything that happens in the world of Dharma. (see our article on the Wheel of Dharma)
His symbolic weapons are a serpent or a red cord representative of a dragon.
It is said that the Virupaksa watches over us in the sky, and that when we solemnly invoke it in times of danger, it guards and protects us.
And if you are not a Buddhist and for some reason you know a lot of Buddhists, it is said that Virupaksa gives you this information.
Virupaksa is also known as Virūpakkha, Virūpaksha, Thao Wirupak, Virúpekka Nat Min, Guăng Mù Tiānwáng, Kōmoku-ten, Gwangmok-cheonwang.
Virupaksa rules over the Nagas, who is a deity who took the form of a very large serpent.
Virupaksa is often associated with the color red.
Symbols of Virupaksa: Serpent, Stupa, Pearl.
Cardinal Direction: West
SYMBOLIC OF THE FOUR HEAVENLY KINGS
According to the guru lama, praying to the four heavenly kings will bring us:
- Wealth and Prosperity (by King Vaisravana),
- Success and Progress (by King Virudhaka),
- Peace and harmony (by King Dhrtarastra)
- Good health and protection from danger (by King Virupaksa).
Placing their images in the home is also one of the most powerful protective amulets one can have.
STORY TOLD BY THE GURU LAMA
Guru Lama recounts how, when he was commissioned by the Dalai Lama to leave Dharamsala, India, to help spread Buddhism and build temples in other parts of Asia, he personally drew upon the blessings and power of the four heavenly kings.
This was a few decades ago and when he left India, he was not gave only a little money to travel and spread the Dharma and eventually build a temple. The Guru Lama said he was a little worried because a few years ago they had just left Tibet because of Chinese oppression, and when he was asked to go back to spread the Dharma, he was worried and very nervous although he was excited and honored to be entrusted with the task of spreading the Dharma.
A few months before leaving India, he began preparing himself physically and mentally for this overwhelming task. He always meditated on the teachings of the different sutras and always drew his strength from Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and Bodhisattva Vajrapani.
One night, in his sleep, he received a vision that the bodhisattva Vajrapani was visiting him and that he was being shown the images of the four heavenly kings. Upon waking up, he then knew that he would need the help of the Four Heavenly Kings to help him progress in his business.
This makes total sense, because if you go back to the description of the Four Heavenly Kings, he will need wealth and prosperity to help build a temple, success and progress for people to see the good side of what he was going to do, peace and harmony to that he can convey this feeling to the people around him, good health for this overwhelming task and protection to ensure that he does not harm himself in spreading the Dharma.
This is how my Guru Lama began to worship and praise the Four Heavenly Kings by making offerings to them and chanting the mantras of the Four Heavenly Kings. He also vigorously recited the Golden Light Sutra, and the Lotus Sutra (the full title is called "Sutra on the White Lotus of the Sublime Dharma").
And the rest is ancient history. According to Guru Lama, it was able to become an instrument for building a temple and building a Sangha (Buddhist community) with relative ease. Money for the temple kept coming in.
That’s why today, again for the first time, we share with you a powerful mantra that will help you attract wealth and prosperity, success and progress, peace and harmony, finally, good health and protection, you can recite the mantras of each of the four heavenly kings.
Here are the mantras of each of the four heavenly kings
- For wealth and prosperity, recite the mantra of King Vaisravana: OM VAISRAVANA YE SOHA
- For success and progress in life, recite the mantra of King Virudhaka: OM VIRUDHAKA KUMBHANDADHIPHIPATA YE SOHA
- For peace and harmony, recite the mantra of King Dhrtarastra: OM DHRTARASTRA RALAPRAVADHAHAHA SOHA
- For good health and protection, recite the mantra of King Virupaksa: OM VIRUPAKSA NAGA DHIPATA DHIPATA YE SOHA
Other Sources: https://fr.wikipedia. org/wiki/Quatre_Rois_c%C3%A9lestes
2 comments
Marilia
Recevoir les 4 mantra de la sagesse
Nathalie Thomas
Bonjour
Merci pour ces informations
Est ce que ces rois célestes sont inspirés de la divinité hindoue de Shiva ou est-ce le contraire ?