Four Heavenly Kings

Four Heavenly Kings shown on the Great Mandala of Nichiren on the corners

The Four Heavenly Kings have been represented from early Buddhist art in India until today in East Asia. There are two types of distinctive iconography of the deities: a king-like appearance in India and Southeast Asia and a warrior-like appearance in Central Asia and East Asia.

  1. Vaisravana (he who hears everything) NORTH (毘沙門天, Bishamonten) Upper Left
  2. Virūḍhaka [en] (he who causes the growth) SOUTH (増長天, Zōjōten) Lower Right
  3. Dhritarāshtra (he who upholds the realm) EAST (持国天, Jikokuten) Upper Right
  4. Virūpākṣa [en] (he who sees all) WEST (広目天, Kōmokuten) Lower Left

References

  1. ↑ Shim, yeoung shin (2013-01-01). Four Heavenly Kings: Iconography and Symbolism seen Through Literary Evidence and Imagery. Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations (Thesis).