page_title: Vaiśravaṇa
section_title: In Japan
hierarchical_section_title: Vaiśravaṇa / In Japan
caption_attribution_description: English: Todaiji in Nara, Nara prefecture, Japan 日本語: 東大寺金堂の多聞天像, 奈良県奈良市
context_page_description: Vaiśravaṇa or Vessavaṇa, is one of the Four Heavenly Kings, and is considered an important figure in Japanese Buddhism.
context_section_description: In Japan, Bishamonten (毘沙門天), or just Bishamon (毘沙門) is thought of as an armor-clad god of war or warriors and a punisher of evildoers.  Bishamon is portrayed holding a spear in one hand and a small pagoda in the other hand, the latter symbolizing the divine treasure house, whose contents he both guards and gives away.  In Japanese folklore, he is one of the Seven Lucky Gods.
  Bishamon is also called Tamonten (多聞天 lit. "listening to many teachings") because he is seen as the guardian of the places where the Buddha preaches. He is believed to live halfway down Mount Sumeru.  He is also associated with Hachiman. Especially in the Shingon tradition that gives some place and worth to this hybrid character of Bishamon although most Mahayana temples have Bishamon and his counterpart as guardians at the entrance gate.
caption: Tamonten statue at Tōdai-ji, Nara
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