Four Great Kings

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Dhritarashtra
Virudhaka
Virupaksha
Vaishravana

Four Great Kings:

As a result of wishes made during the time of the previous Buddha—Kashyapa—the Four Guardian Kings were reborn in the time of Shakyamuni Buddha. Each uphold and teach the Dharma in their own realms, as well as—three times a month—surveying the four directions, protecting all who uphold the Buddha’s teachings.

Always ready to protect the Dharma, they are surrounded by fire which represents the dynamism of their spiritual wisdom. They live on the lower slopes of mount Meru in the Heaven of the Four Great Kings.

  1. Dhritarashtra (Skt. Dhṛtarāṣṭṛa; Tib. yul 'khor srung) "Defender of the Area" in the East;
  2. Virudhaka (Skt. Virūḍhaka; Tib. 'phags skyes po) "Noble Birth" in the South;
  3. Virupaksha (Skt. Virupākṣa; Tib. spyan mi bzang) "Ugly Eyes" in the West; and
  4. Vaishravana (Skt. Vaiśravaṇa; Tib. rnam thos sras) "Son of He who has Heard Many Things" in the North.

See also Four Great Kings mantras