Pantheons

Buddhist Devas

The Buddhist Devas pantheon of Chinese mythology: 14 deities with stories, duties and sacred sites.

14 deities

Vaishravana (Guardian of the North) — Northern Duowen Tianwang (Vaisravana Deva)

Vaishravana (Guardian of the North) Northern Duowen Tianwang (Vaisravana Deva) Buddhist Devas The Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhist temples (the fourth shrine from the north)

Dhritarashtra (Guardian of the East) — Chiguo Tianwang of the East

Safety & Blessing

Dhritarashtra (Guardian of the East) Chiguo Tianwang of the East Buddhist Devas The Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhist temples (easternmost position of the first tier)

Mahabrahma — Lord Mahabrahma

Safety & Blessing

Mahabrahma Lord Mahabrahma Buddhist Devas Enshrined as one of the Twenty Dharmapāla Devas flanking the main hall (Mahāvīra Hall) in major Buddhist temples

Virudhaka (Guardian of the South) — Virudhaka, Guardian King of the South

Safety & Blessing

Virudhaka (Guardian of the South) Virudhaka, Guardian King of the South Buddhist Devas The Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhist temples (second position from the south)

Sarasvati — Great Goddess of Eloquence and Wisdom

Studies & Exams

Sarasvati Great Goddess of Eloquence and Wisdom Buddhist Devas Enshrined as one of the Twenty Devas in the main halls of major Buddhist temples

Virupaksha (Guardian of the West) — Virupaksha, Guardian King of the West

Safety & Blessing

Virupaksha (Guardian of the West) Virupaksha, Guardian King of the West Buddhist Devas The Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhist temples (third position from the west)

Indra (Dishi Tian) — Lord of the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven and Venerable Indra

Safety & Blessing

Indra (Dishi Tian) Lord of the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven and Venerable Indra Buddhist Devas Dishitian-Fantian Murals at Beijing Fahai Temple (a masterpiece of mural art)

Mahakala — The Venerable Mahakala, Lord of Great Virtue and Sovereign Fulfillment, Eighth-Bhumi Bodhisattva

Mahakala The Venerable Mahakala, Lord of Great Virtue and Sovereign Fulfillment, Eighth-Bhumi Bodhisattva Buddhist Devas Kunming, Yunnan (the center of Mahakala veneration)

Sagara Dragon King — Sagara Dragon King

Sagara Dragon King Sagara Dragon King Buddhist Devas Enshrined as one of the Twenty Devas in the main halls of major Buddhist temples, and separately venerated in dedicated Dragon King Halls

Bodhi Tree Goddess — Bodhi Tree Goddess

Safety & Blessing

Bodhi Tree Goddess Bodhi Tree Goddess Buddhist Devas Enshrined as a subsidiary deity among the Twenty Devas in the main halls of major Buddhist temples

General Sanzhi — Xiumo

Warding Off Evil

General Sanzhi Xiumo Buddhist Devas Enshrined as one of the Twenty Deva Kings in the main halls of major Buddhist temples

Agni — Fire Deva

Health & Averting Calamity

Agni Fire Deva Buddhist Devas Halls of the Twenty Deva in large Buddhist monasteries; included as an attendant deity in mandalas

Varuna — Deity of Water and the Heavens

Health & Averting Calamity

Varuna Deity of Water and the Heavens Buddhist Devas Halls of the Deva Guardians in large Buddhist monasteries; subsidiary figure in mandalas

Vayu — Wind Deva

Health & Averting Calamity

Vayu Wind Deva Buddhist Devas Wind Deva halls in large Buddhist monasteries; subsidiary figure in mandalas