Wooden Standing Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings (in the Lecture Hall)

The Guardians of Toji's Mandala

The Wooden Standing Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings (in the Lecture Hall) (木造四天王立像（講堂安置）) is Heian-period standing statues of the Four Heavenly Kings in the lecture hall of Kyoogokokuji (Toji) in Kujo-cho, Minami Ward, Kyoto City, which in 1954 were designated a National Treasure.

According to Toji, they are painted wood and comprise Jikokuten, Zochoten, Komokuten and Tamonten.

Toji explains that, with Bonten on the east of the altar and Taishakuten on the west, these six guardian deities protect the fifteen Buddhas, bodhisattvas and Myoo of the lecture hall.

The Mandala

Toji notes that the lecture hall was begun in 823 and completed in 839, and that Kukai placed twenty-one figures centred on Dainichi on its altar to make the mandala three-dimensional.

Toji notes that the first figure to greet visitors entering the hall from the east is Jikokuten.

What to Look For

Toji explains that in Buddhism the heavenly beings exist between humans and Buddhas. Jikokuten's sword is single-edged and turned on the opponent, in contrast to the double-edged swords of the Myoo, which face both ways.

Notice how the four kings, with Bonten and Taishakuten, guard the figures on the altar.

Visiting the Wooden Standing Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings (in the Lecture Hall)

Toji says the lecture hall is open all year, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.).

See also the articles on the Five Great Myoo and the Five Great Bodhisattvas of the mandala.