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Buddhist Pantheon
Buddhism in Japan is ornated with many statues. These statues
are usually figures of differentBuddhist archetypes. These can be
seen in many forms, from grotesque, terrifying to peacefuland
joyful. These images are typically divided into four (4) types.
The first type is Buddhas, or Nyorai.
Nyorai, or Tathagata as translated to Sanskrit, represent Buddha
or as "the enlightened one."Each Nyorai is a separate Buddha with
its own identity.
Ashuku (Asksobhya)
Hosho (Ratnasambhava)
Fukujoju (Amoghasiddhi)
Dainichi (Vairocana)
Shaka (Shakyamuni)
Yakushi (Bhaisajyaguru)
The second type is Bodhisattvas, or Bosatsu.
Bosatsu are those figures that have found enlightenment but are
postponing their entry intonirvana in order to help others find
salvation. These figures are quite numerous, in fact sonumerous
that it would be impossible to list them all. The most famous for
most would beKanzeon (or Kannon).
Sho Kanzeon (Avalokitesvara)
Juichimen Kanzeon (Ekadasamhukha Avalokitesvara)
Fukukenjaku Kanzeon (Amoghapasa)
Senju Kanzeon (Sahasrabhujarya Avalokitesvara)
Nyoirin Kanzeon (Cintamani)
Bato Kanzeon (Hayagriva)
Juntei Kanzeon (Cundi)
Nikko (Suryaaprabha - Bodhisattva of Sunlight)
Gakko (Candraprabha - Bodhisattva of Moonlight)
Miroku (Maitreya)
Monju (Manjusri)
Fugen (Samanabhadra)
Fugen Enmei
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Kokuzo (Akasagarbha)
Jizo (Ksitigarbha)
Daiseishi (Mahasthamaprapta)
The third type is Myo-o.
Myo-o, are the fierce representations of the "Kings of Light".
They stand to assist the Buddhasand with their enormous strength,
seeking both to vanquish evil and to help human beings
resisttemptation.
Fudo (who is critical to the Tendai pantheon) also known as
Acalanatha
Gozanze (Trailokyavijaya)
Gundari (Kundali)
Daitoku (Yamantaka)
Kongoyasha (Vajrayaksa)
Aizen (Ragaraja)
The fourth type is Ten.
Ten, are Heavenly Guardians or deva (heavenly kings) originated
in the native Brahmanism ofIndia. In Buddhism, they often represent
the defenders of the faith. When visiting large templesyou will see
these figures in the pillars of the gate. Those are the kongo
rikishi, or benevolentkings (ni-o). The one on the right with his
mouth open; the other on the left, closed. They areprotects of the
temple.
Bishamon (Vaisravana)
Daikoku (Mahakala)
Benzai (Sarasvati)
There is a web page that lists some of these in the Shingon
faith (http://www.shingon.org/)
