Bishamonten

Mekira

Location

In a fortress on the north side of Mt. Sumeru, in the north of the world.

Role

One of the Four Heavenly Kings, a group of war gods who protect Mt. Sumeru from demons. He is entrusted with the north, the "demon gate", the direction considered the most dangerous. Said to be the most powerful not just of the Four Kings, but of all deva. Goodness, what a reputation to keep... He also grants his blessings as a god of wealth. A very virtuous one in all kinds of ways, and thus often worshipped by himself. Called Bishamonten when solo, Tamonten when worshipped as part of the Four Kings as a set.

As a Statue

As described in the holy texts, he's generally depicted wearing armor, holding a jeweled pagoda in one hand and jeweled staff or spear in the other. His expression is scary, but it's not like he usually looks like that. Please think of it as a face he makes to protect the peaceful smiles of the tathāgatas and bodhisattvas. As the only Buddhist deity to have a wife and children, apparently he's also prayed to for household harmony.

Bishamonten and Mekira are both deva. It is the lowest rank among Buddhas. As the ones closest to living things in rank, their task is to protect them. In fact, some say that the two are avatars created by Dainichi Nyourai (Vairocana) because he wanted to watch over the world more closely, but who knows... feels like it's not appropriate to just ask.

Four Heavenly Kings

Commanders of the armies stationed on four sides of Mt. Sumeru to defend the peace of the pure land there.

Twelve Heavenly Generals

Twelve yaksha generals who aid and defend the Medicine Buddha. Each of them commands an army of 7,000 men.

Location

In the Land of Joururi in the east of the world.

Role

One of the Twelve Heavenly Generals, loyal protectors of Yakushi Nyourai the Medicine Buddha. As you know, the Medicine Buddha brings salvation from any manner of disease, but their task is holding off the demons that try to obstruct him. Unlike the Four Kings, the Twelve Generals don't represent directions, but time slots. That is to say, in one day, they're only working one koku (two hours) each. ...I'm a little jealous. He's in charge of the koku of the Rooster.

As a Statue

As there are no real specifications, I guess he takes a lot of different forms depending on the statue. Sometimes he has a pose and reeeally scary face like he's in the middle of battle, but of course, that's not how he usually is. Those must be meant to depict him during the defensive battle that took place while the Land of Joururi was being built. He's not really worshipped on his own like Bishamonten, but in a large family of twelve plus the Medicine Buddha himself.