Four Buddhist Heavenly Kings: Mantras and Sadhana
The Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhism are important in most lineages and traditions.
Known as the Chaturmahārāja in Sanskrit — Maha meaning great and Raja meaning king — they have an important role as devas or gods who protect the Dharma and the world. They are also called Lokapāla, meaning “guardians of the world.”
Each Heavenly King protects a cardinal direction and an associated Pureland, a Buddhist virtue, and protects from a major poison. Each has a powerful mantra, a special entourage, including a sacred animal, and a special focus in practice.
One of their primary roles, is to protect our senses, which in Buddhist practices are called the gateways of Samsara and also the gateways of Dharma.
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