毘沙門天-威厳 - Bishamonten - Dignity

Bishamonten also has the Sanskrit name of TAMONTEN which is the name of the guardian of the north for Buddha and Buddhism. He looks very warlike, but in fact, if we look carefully, he carries no really effective offensive weapon. His job was defense only, against the devils and evil sprits that might attack Buddha and Buddhism. He is associated with the centipede, which I dislike very much.

毘沙門天も、サンスクリットで多聞天という名を持ち、これは仏さまと仏教を北方で守る守護者の名前です。毘沙門天は大変好戦的に見えますが、よく見れば、本当に役に立つ攻撃用の武器は持たず、その任務は仏さまや仏教を、悪魔や悪霊の攻撃から防御することだけです。毘沙門天は、私の大嫌いなムカデと関連があります。

The Gods use the animal associated with them as messengers. In his right hand he holds a “stupa”. This is kind of a tower that is a shrine of Buddhism. Bishamonten´s stupa is supposed to contain much money. Contrary to Benten, who was originally a Hindu Goddess, Bishamonten was a Buddhist deity from the beginning. As one of the Seven Lucky Gods, he is the God of treasure, fortune and happiness. He certainly appears to be warlike with his helmet and weapons, but the “stupa” he carries is to bestow happiness and fortune upon all good people.

七福神は、自分たちと関連のある動物を使者として使っています。毘沙門天は右手に宝塔を持っていますが、これはお寺の塔を表します。毘沙門天の宝塔にはたくさんのお金が詰まっていると考えられています。元来はヒンドゥの女神であった弁天とは対照的に、毘沙門天は最初から仏教の「神」でした。七福神の一人としては、毘沙門天は財宝、富、幸運の神です。兜をかぶり武器を携えていることからすれば確かに好戦的に見えますが、毘沙門天が持っている宝塔は、善良な人々に幸せと幸運を与えるためのものなのです。

The Buddhist Gods are often pictured as fierce and terrible, but the people are not afraid of them since they are made frightful to defend the religion of Buddhism from devils. The Gods are worshipped for their strength and devotion to duty as well as their ability to bestow good luck upon their followers. Bishamonten is especially worshipped and his shrines and temples are often visited by many people. When we see Bishamonten, we should see a person who is very dignified and diligent.

仏教の神々は厳しく恐ろしい姿で描かれることが多いようですが、人々がこのような神を恐れることはありません。というのは、これらの神々は仏教を悪魔から守るために恐ろしい姿で作られているからです。神々は、信俸者に幸運を与える能力だけでなく、その力と、義務に対する献身によってもあがめられるのです。毘沙門天はとくに崇拝され、その寺院には大勢の人が訪れます。毘沙門天を見るときは、そこに威厳と勤勉の両方を備えた人物を見るべきですね。