Paulo
11-19-2006, 10:43 AM
Hachi Bushu (Hachibushuu)
Also called "Ninpinin" or "Tenryuu Hachibushuu"
The Eight Legions, The Eight Guardians
Group of Eight Guardian Deities of Buddhism
Also 天龍鬼神 = Deva, Naga, Demons, & Spirits
Also 天龍八部 = Deva, Naga, & Others of the Eight Classes
Members of the TENBU (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tenbu-top.shtml)
Members of 28 LEGIONS (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/28-bushu-kannon.shtml)
Origin: India, Hindu Mythology
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/assets/images/asura-8th-century-kofukuji-nara.gifThe Eight Legions are a curious grouping of Buddhist protectors, demons, and spirits, all originating in Hindu mythology. Among the eight groups, only the Ten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tenbu-top.shtml) (Deva) and Ryuu (serpent-like creatures, including Dragons (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/hachi-bushu.shtml#naga)) appear with great frequency in Japanese sculpture and artwork, while the other six are represented much less frequently. As a group, the Hachi Bushu are not objects of Buddhist worship, although individual Ten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tenbu-top.shtml) (Deva) are given independent status as objects of devotion (e.g., Bishamonten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/bishamonten.shtml), Benzaiten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/benzaiten.shtml), Daikokuten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/daikoku.shtml)).
HISTORICAL NOTES: The Hachi Bushu (Eight Legions) are eight groups of sentient beings said to be present when Shaka Nyorai (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shaka.shtml) (Historical Buddha) expounded the Flower Sutra on Vultures Peak (also called Eagle Peak). They originated in earlier Hindu mythology, but converted to Buddhism after listening to the words of Shaka Buddha, thereafter becoming guardians of Buddhist teachings.
SAYS JAANUS (http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/h/hachibushuu.htm) (Japanese Architecture & Art Net Users System):
Hachibushuu is an abbreviation of Tenryuu Hachibushuu 天竜八部衆. Eight classes of Indian deities who were converted by Shaka (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shaka.shtml) (Historical Buddha) and came to be considered protectors of the Dharma (Buddhist Law). They appear in many texts, including the HOKEKYOU 法華経 (Lotus Sutra), and are named as follows: Ten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tenbu-top.shtml) 天 (Deva), Ryuu (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/dragon.shtml) 龍 (Naga), Yasha 夜叉 (Yaksa), Kendatsuba (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/sendan-kendatsuba.html) 乾闥婆 (Gandharva), Ashura 阿修羅 (Asura), Karura (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/karura.shtml) 迦楼羅 (Garuda), Kinnara 緊那羅 (Kimnara), and Magoraga 摩ご羅伽 (Mahoraga). The names are not fixed, and an individual deity may sometimes represent their class. The most famous set in Japan was made of dry lacquer in 734 AD and once accompanied an image of Shaka (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shaka.shtml). There is also a set of sculptures of Shaka's disciples in Koufukuji 興福寺 (Nara). Temple tradition gives their names as Gobujou 五部浄 for the Ten, Shagara (or Sakara) 沙羯羅 for the Ryuu, Kubanda 鳩槃荼 for the Yasha, Kendatsuba, Ashura, Kinnara, and Hibakara 畢婆迦羅, probably for the Magoraga. The Hachibushuu usually appear amidst groups, such as the group of figures surrounding Shaka (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shaka.shtml) in paintings of his death (Nehan-zu (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shaka.shtml#nehan) 涅槃図). They were shown as a distinct group only in the Nara period. <end JAANUS quote>
The eight are discussed below. Links to their individual pages (when available) are also provided. These are the main group of eight most often mentioned in Chinese and Japanese Buddhist texts. There is another grouping of eight that included men (but excluded the Kendatsuba (Skt. = Gandharvas), but this latter grouping is much less common.
Ten (Skt: Deva). Celestial beings, 6th level (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/six-states.shtml) of existence; see Tenbu (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tenbu-top.shtml)
Ryuu (Skt: Naga). Serpent-like creatures, including dragons (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/dragon.shtml).
Attendants to Koumokuten (Shitenno) (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/koumokuten.html)
Yasha (Skt: Yaksa). Warriors of Fierce Stance, Nature Spirits.
Protect Yakushi Nyorai (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/12-generals.shtml), commanded by Tamonten (Shitenno) (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tamonten.html)
Kendatsuba (Skt: Gandharva). Gods of music, medicine, children.
Attendants to and commanded by Jikokuten (Shitenno) (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/jikokuten.html); one of their kings is Sendan Kendatsuba (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/sendan-kendatsuba.html)
Ashura (Skt: Asura). 3 heads, 6 arms, 4th level (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/six-states.shtml) of existence
Karura (Skt: Garuda (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/karura.shtml)) Bird-man, enemy of Ryuu and dragons
Kinnara (Skt: Kimnara). Celestial musicians and dancers; have human form but horse's head; commanded by Tamonten (Shitenno) (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tamonten.html)
Magoraka (Skt: Mahoraga). Serpentine musiciansNOTE: The Ashura (Asura) and Tenbu (Deva) also populate two of the six states of existence (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/six-states.shtml). The lowest three states are called the three evil paths, or three bad states. They are (1) people in hells; (2) hungry ghosts; (3) animals. The highest three states are (4) Asuras; (5) Humans; (6) Devas. All beings in these six states are doomed to death and rebirth in a recurring cycle over countless ages -- unless they can break free from desire, from the cycle of suffering (i.e., Samsara in Sanskrit) and attain enlightenment. For more on the six states, plus Japanese spellings,
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/hachi-bushu.shtml
Also called "Ninpinin" or "Tenryuu Hachibushuu"
The Eight Legions, The Eight Guardians
Group of Eight Guardian Deities of Buddhism
Also 天龍鬼神 = Deva, Naga, Demons, & Spirits
Also 天龍八部 = Deva, Naga, & Others of the Eight Classes
Members of the TENBU (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tenbu-top.shtml)
Members of 28 LEGIONS (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/28-bushu-kannon.shtml)
Origin: India, Hindu Mythology
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/assets/images/asura-8th-century-kofukuji-nara.gifThe Eight Legions are a curious grouping of Buddhist protectors, demons, and spirits, all originating in Hindu mythology. Among the eight groups, only the Ten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tenbu-top.shtml) (Deva) and Ryuu (serpent-like creatures, including Dragons (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/hachi-bushu.shtml#naga)) appear with great frequency in Japanese sculpture and artwork, while the other six are represented much less frequently. As a group, the Hachi Bushu are not objects of Buddhist worship, although individual Ten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tenbu-top.shtml) (Deva) are given independent status as objects of devotion (e.g., Bishamonten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/bishamonten.shtml), Benzaiten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/benzaiten.shtml), Daikokuten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/daikoku.shtml)).
HISTORICAL NOTES: The Hachi Bushu (Eight Legions) are eight groups of sentient beings said to be present when Shaka Nyorai (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shaka.shtml) (Historical Buddha) expounded the Flower Sutra on Vultures Peak (also called Eagle Peak). They originated in earlier Hindu mythology, but converted to Buddhism after listening to the words of Shaka Buddha, thereafter becoming guardians of Buddhist teachings.
SAYS JAANUS (http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/h/hachibushuu.htm) (Japanese Architecture & Art Net Users System):
Hachibushuu is an abbreviation of Tenryuu Hachibushuu 天竜八部衆. Eight classes of Indian deities who were converted by Shaka (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shaka.shtml) (Historical Buddha) and came to be considered protectors of the Dharma (Buddhist Law). They appear in many texts, including the HOKEKYOU 法華経 (Lotus Sutra), and are named as follows: Ten (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tenbu-top.shtml) 天 (Deva), Ryuu (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/dragon.shtml) 龍 (Naga), Yasha 夜叉 (Yaksa), Kendatsuba (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/sendan-kendatsuba.html) 乾闥婆 (Gandharva), Ashura 阿修羅 (Asura), Karura (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/karura.shtml) 迦楼羅 (Garuda), Kinnara 緊那羅 (Kimnara), and Magoraga 摩ご羅伽 (Mahoraga). The names are not fixed, and an individual deity may sometimes represent their class. The most famous set in Japan was made of dry lacquer in 734 AD and once accompanied an image of Shaka (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shaka.shtml). There is also a set of sculptures of Shaka's disciples in Koufukuji 興福寺 (Nara). Temple tradition gives their names as Gobujou 五部浄 for the Ten, Shagara (or Sakara) 沙羯羅 for the Ryuu, Kubanda 鳩槃荼 for the Yasha, Kendatsuba, Ashura, Kinnara, and Hibakara 畢婆迦羅, probably for the Magoraga. The Hachibushuu usually appear amidst groups, such as the group of figures surrounding Shaka (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shaka.shtml) in paintings of his death (Nehan-zu (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shaka.shtml#nehan) 涅槃図). They were shown as a distinct group only in the Nara period. <end JAANUS quote>
The eight are discussed below. Links to their individual pages (when available) are also provided. These are the main group of eight most often mentioned in Chinese and Japanese Buddhist texts. There is another grouping of eight that included men (but excluded the Kendatsuba (Skt. = Gandharvas), but this latter grouping is much less common.
Ten (Skt: Deva). Celestial beings, 6th level (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/six-states.shtml) of existence; see Tenbu (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tenbu-top.shtml)
Ryuu (Skt: Naga). Serpent-like creatures, including dragons (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/dragon.shtml).
Attendants to Koumokuten (Shitenno) (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/koumokuten.html)
Yasha (Skt: Yaksa). Warriors of Fierce Stance, Nature Spirits.
Protect Yakushi Nyorai (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/12-generals.shtml), commanded by Tamonten (Shitenno) (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tamonten.html)
Kendatsuba (Skt: Gandharva). Gods of music, medicine, children.
Attendants to and commanded by Jikokuten (Shitenno) (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/jikokuten.html); one of their kings is Sendan Kendatsuba (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/sendan-kendatsuba.html)
Ashura (Skt: Asura). 3 heads, 6 arms, 4th level (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/six-states.shtml) of existence
Karura (Skt: Garuda (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/karura.shtml)) Bird-man, enemy of Ryuu and dragons
Kinnara (Skt: Kimnara). Celestial musicians and dancers; have human form but horse's head; commanded by Tamonten (Shitenno) (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tamonten.html)
Magoraka (Skt: Mahoraga). Serpentine musiciansNOTE: The Ashura (Asura) and Tenbu (Deva) also populate two of the six states of existence (http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/six-states.shtml). The lowest three states are called the three evil paths, or three bad states. They are (1) people in hells; (2) hungry ghosts; (3) animals. The highest three states are (4) Asuras; (5) Humans; (6) Devas. All beings in these six states are doomed to death and rebirth in a recurring cycle over countless ages -- unless they can break free from desire, from the cycle of suffering (i.e., Samsara in Sanskrit) and attain enlightenment. For more on the six states, plus Japanese spellings,
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/hachi-bushu.shtml