lokapāla

lokapāla

▪ Hindu and Buddhist mythology
      in Hindu and Buddhist mythology, any of the guardians of the four cardinal directions. They are known in Tibetan as 'jig-rtenskyong, in Chinese as t'ien-wang, and in Japanese as shi-tennō. The Hindu protectors, who ride on elephants, are Indra, who governs the east, Yama the south, Varuṇa the west, and Kubera the north. Kubera, also referred to as Vaiśravaṇa, is common to both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The other Buddhist lokapālas are Dhṛtarāṣṭra (east), Virūḍhaka (south), and Virūpākṣa (west).

      The four are mentioned in the earliest Buddhist writings as participating in all the important events of the Buddha's life. They received him at his birth, held up the hooves of his horse when he left the palace to renounce the world, and offered him four bowls of food that miraculously became one bowl following his fast under the Bo tree. The four became popular deities in Tibet, China, and Japan, as well as among the southern Hīnayāna Buddhists, though only Kubera is worshiped singly. They are usually depicted fully armed, standing on demons.

      In India Kubera is called king of the yakṣas and is shown coloured yellow, holding a banner in the right hand and a mongoose in the left. In China he is called To-wen (in Japan, Bishamon; in Tibet, Rnam-thos-sras) and symbolizes autumn.

      The guardian of the east, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, in India is known as the king of the celestial musicians, the gandharvas. He is coloured white and has as his symbol a stringed instrument. In China he is called Ch'ih-kuo (in Japan, Jikoku; in Tibet, Yul-'khor-bsrung) and is associated with summer. The guardian of the south, Virūḍhaka, in India is king of the giant kumbhaṇḍas (pot-bellied gnomes). He is coloured blue or green and carries a sword. In China he is called Tseng-chang (in Japan, Kōmoku; in Tibet, ʿPhags-skyes-po) and symbolizes spring. The guardian of the west, Virūpākṣa, in India commands the serpents (nāgas). He is coloured red and has as his symbol a small shrine, or a jewel, and a serpent. In China he is called Kwang-mu (in Japan, Zōchō; in Tibet, Klu) and is associated with winter.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lokapala — Lokapāla, Sanskrit and Pāli for guardian of the world , has different uses depending on whether it is found in a Hindu or Buddhist context.* In Hinduism, lokapāla refers to the Guardians of the Directions associated with the four cardinal… …   Wikipedia

  • Lokapala — Lokapalas, auch Dikpala (Sanskrit: लेकपाल lokapāla दिक्पाल dikpāla; Weltenhüter, auch: königliche Wächter, Caturmaharajas, tibetisch: Jigten Kyong) sind in der Mythologie des Hinduismus und des Buddhismus die Wächter der vier Himmelsrichtungen.… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Kubera — This article is about the Hindu deity. For the Buddhist deity of the same name, see Vaisravana. For the 2000 Tamil film, see Kuberan (2000 film). For the 2002 Malayalam film, see Kuberan (2002 film). Kubera …   Wikipedia

  • Yama (Hinduism) — This article is about the deity Yama in the Hindu tradition. For the deity Yama in other religious traditions, see Yama . For other uses, see Yama (disambiguation). Dharma (Hinduism) redirects here. For the Hindu concept, see Dharma. Yama Death …   Wikipedia

  • Yuanzhao-Tempel — Dagoba (Diamantenthron Pagode) Der Yuanzhao Tempel (Yunazhao si 圆照寺), der früher Puning Tempel (Puning si 普宁寺) hieß, ist ein buddhistischer Tempel im Gebirge Wutai Shan in China. Er befindet sich in Taihuai, Kreis Wutai, in der Provinz Shanxi.… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Yuanzhao Si — Dagoba (Diamantenthron Pagode) Der Yuanzhao Tempel (Yunazhao si 圆照寺), der früher Puning Tempel (Puning si 普宁寺) hieß, ist ein buddhistischer Tempel im Gebirge Wutai Shan in China. Er befindet sich in Taihuai, Kreis Wutai, in der Provinz Shanxi.… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2 — Developer(s) Atlus Publisher(s) Atlus Ghostlight …   Wikipedia

  • Devata — Devatha redirects here. For several films of that title, see Devatha (film). A male devata, flanked by a two apsaras, Vishnu temple, Prambanan …   Wikipedia

  • Medang Kingdom — This article is about the Hindu Kingdom (8th to 10th centuries CE). For other uses, see Mataram (disambiguation). Medang i Bhumi Mataram ←   …   Wikipedia

  • Outline of Buddhism — See also: Index of Buddhism related articles Flag of Buddhism …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”