shi (four)
ten (heavens, sky)
nô (ruler, king)
tennô (heavenly king)

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❖ The four heavenly kings who protect Buddhism from evil with taishaku-ten as the center
❖ Also called gose shitennô

go (safeguard, protect)
se (generation, world, society, public)
shi (four)
ten (heavens, sky)
nô (ruler, king)
tennô (heavenly king)

ji (hold, have)
koku (country)
ten (heavens, sky)

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❖ Guardian of the Nation
❖ Keeper of the Kingdom
❖ Associations: east, spring, water, strength, blue

kô (broad, wide, spacious)
moku (eye, look, insight, experience)
ten (heavens, sky)

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❖ Lord of Limitless Vision (has third "all-seeing" eye)
❖ Sees through evil
❖ Discerns / punishes badness
❖ Encourages aspirations for enlightenment
❖ Associations: west, fall, metal, awareness, white

ta (many, frequent, much)
mon (hear, ask, listen)
ten (heavens, sky)

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❖ All-Knowing
❖ Hears all, always listening
❖ Associations: north, winter, earth, wealth, black
❖ Sometimes called bishamon-ten

zô (add to, augment, increase)
chô (long, leader)
ten (heavens, sky)

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❖ Lord of Spiritual Growth
❖ One Who Expands Wisdom & Moderation
❖ Associations: south, summer, fire, prosperity, red