- Chủ nhật Tháng 11 13, 2011 8:31 pm
In the Buddhist faith, the Four Heavenly Kings or the Four Guaridan Kings are four gods, each of whom watches over one cardinal direction of the world. They currently live in the Cāturmahārājika heaven (Pāli Cātummahārājika, "Of the Four Great Kings") on the lower slopes of Mount Sumeru, which is the lowest of the six worlds of the devas of the Kāmadhātu. They are the protectors of the world and fighters of evil, each able to command a legion of supernatural creatures to protect the Dharma. They are:
Heavenly King of the North (Vaisravana)
Holding an umbrella, he is actually the leader of The Four Heavenly Kings. Also known as Lord of Wealth, he is “The One Who Listens Incessantly”. His umbrella symbolizes his protection of the Dharma assembly.
As “The Knowledgeable Heavenly King”, he uses his umbrella to shut out delusions and distractions, enabling us to focus on the pure Dharma. Sometimes, instead of holding the umbrella, he holds a banner of victory, a stupa (Pagoda), or a pet mongoose commemorating his victory over the Nagas (Serpents).
In popular thought or belief, this mongoose can bring forth priceless jewels for he is superficially God of Wealth. The “wealth” he represents is the knowledge of the Dharma. In his wrathful aspect, he uses his umbrella to create darkness and chaos to scatter his enemies.
Heavenly King of the East (Dhrtarastra)
Holding a Chinese lute, (pi-pa), he is “The One Who Upholds The Land” through Harmony, and also known as Lord of Thunder. As his lute represents ease, comfort and the good things of civilization, it also symbolizes Harmony and Balance; the string must neither be too tight nor too loose, and so all human affairs must be conducted with moderation.
In his wrathful aspect, he is able to pluck the strings of his lute and raise up strong wind. As his enemies stop to listen, the wind whips up the campfire thus burning the camps to the ground.
Heavenly King of the South (Virudhaka)
Holding a sword, he is known as “The One Who Enhances Virtue”. By using his Sword of Wisdom to control evil, he enhances and improves the lives of all sentient beings. As the God of Death and the Underworld, sometimes he is depicted trampling a demon under foot, representing the control over evil. His actions are of great benefit, with an overtone of bringing prosperity.
Heavenly King of the West (Virupaksa)
Holding a snake in one hand and a wish-fulfilling jewel in the other, he is known as “The One With Broad Perception” who watches over the world with a thousand eyes. As Lord of the Cosmic Order, the snake in his hand signifies that he is the King of Nagas (Serpents), and he serves to raise up our awareness and inspire in us the Bodhi mind.
In Chinese they are known collectively as "Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn" (Wind, Harmony, Rain, Prosperity), which translates into “seasonable weather with gentle breeze and timely rain” "Good Climate". This mnemonic reminds one of the symbols the Heavenly Kings carry. “Fēng -Wind” refers to the blade of the precious sword which is used to protect all sentient beings. “Tiáo -Harmony” refers to the stringed instrument played to benefit the world. “Yǔ -Rain” refers to the umbrella employed to subjugate demons. And “Shùn -Prosperity” is the dragon which uses its heavenly sight to observe and safeguard the human realm.
In Chinese classic fiction “The Nominations of Gods”, it says Jiang Ziya follows the order of Grand Master Yuan Shi to command four demon brothers: “Now you are installed as Four Heavenly Kings. You will be protecting the country and to give the peace to the people. You will have charge of seasonable weather, gentle breeze and timely rain for a country.”
Therefore, the original meaning of "Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn" is Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhism. Its extended meaning is “a rich harvest of all sorts of grains” and “The country is prosperous and at peace and the people live in happiness”.
Heavenly King of the North (Vaisravana)
Holding an umbrella, he is actually the leader of The Four Heavenly Kings. Also known as Lord of Wealth, he is “The One Who Listens Incessantly”. His umbrella symbolizes his protection of the Dharma assembly.
As “The Knowledgeable Heavenly King”, he uses his umbrella to shut out delusions and distractions, enabling us to focus on the pure Dharma. Sometimes, instead of holding the umbrella, he holds a banner of victory, a stupa (Pagoda), or a pet mongoose commemorating his victory over the Nagas (Serpents).
In popular thought or belief, this mongoose can bring forth priceless jewels for he is superficially God of Wealth. The “wealth” he represents is the knowledge of the Dharma. In his wrathful aspect, he uses his umbrella to create darkness and chaos to scatter his enemies.
Heavenly King of the East (Dhrtarastra)
Holding a Chinese lute, (pi-pa), he is “The One Who Upholds The Land” through Harmony, and also known as Lord of Thunder. As his lute represents ease, comfort and the good things of civilization, it also symbolizes Harmony and Balance; the string must neither be too tight nor too loose, and so all human affairs must be conducted with moderation.
In his wrathful aspect, he is able to pluck the strings of his lute and raise up strong wind. As his enemies stop to listen, the wind whips up the campfire thus burning the camps to the ground.
Heavenly King of the South (Virudhaka)
Holding a sword, he is known as “The One Who Enhances Virtue”. By using his Sword of Wisdom to control evil, he enhances and improves the lives of all sentient beings. As the God of Death and the Underworld, sometimes he is depicted trampling a demon under foot, representing the control over evil. His actions are of great benefit, with an overtone of bringing prosperity.
Heavenly King of the West (Virupaksa)
Holding a snake in one hand and a wish-fulfilling jewel in the other, he is known as “The One With Broad Perception” who watches over the world with a thousand eyes. As Lord of the Cosmic Order, the snake in his hand signifies that he is the King of Nagas (Serpents), and he serves to raise up our awareness and inspire in us the Bodhi mind.
In Chinese they are known collectively as "Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn" (Wind, Harmony, Rain, Prosperity), which translates into “seasonable weather with gentle breeze and timely rain” "Good Climate". This mnemonic reminds one of the symbols the Heavenly Kings carry. “Fēng -Wind” refers to the blade of the precious sword which is used to protect all sentient beings. “Tiáo -Harmony” refers to the stringed instrument played to benefit the world. “Yǔ -Rain” refers to the umbrella employed to subjugate demons. And “Shùn -Prosperity” is the dragon which uses its heavenly sight to observe and safeguard the human realm.
In Chinese classic fiction “The Nominations of Gods”, it says Jiang Ziya follows the order of Grand Master Yuan Shi to command four demon brothers: “Now you are installed as Four Heavenly Kings. You will be protecting the country and to give the peace to the people. You will have charge of seasonable weather, gentle breeze and timely rain for a country.”
Therefore, the original meaning of "Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn" is Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhism. Its extended meaning is “a rich harvest of all sorts of grains” and “The country is prosperous and at peace and the people live in happiness”.
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