The four guardian kings came before Shakyamuni Buddha just after the Buddha achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The four kings individually offered a black bowl to Buddha which is made up of sapphire or lapis lazuli. Buddha accepted the four bowl and the four bowls miraculously became one bowl. This is seen in the lap of Shakyamuni in paintings and sculpture.
The paintings of the four directional kings are seen at the entrance of every dzongs, lhakhangs and monasteries as they are considered the seat of Buddha and his treasures.
After Buddha had attained enlightenment, he went to Mount Meru to preach his mother so that she could attain nirvana. During his absence in human realm, an evil king named Mara is bringing suffering’s to the people and so one of his disciple visited mount meru to request Buddha to come back to the human realm. Since Buddha had not finished preaching his mother, he sent the four directional kings on his behalf to protect from the four demonic worlds.
The Four Directional Kings are:
1. Virudhaka/Pha Gyalpo or Pha Chenpo- South
Ø He is the king of south and always seen blue in color. He holds sword which cuts through ignorance and emotional defilements thereby improving the lives of all sentient beings.
2. Dhritarashtra/Yulkhor Sung- East
Ø Is the king of east and always seen in white color with playing lute. The lute symbolizes the harmony, comfort, balance and ease. He is the protector of the nation with great strength and power and also reminds of great musician.
3. Vaishravana/Namthoese- North
Ø Is the King of North and seen in yellow color. He holds victory banner in right and mongoose that vomits jewels in his left hand. He is also known as ‘the knowledge of heavenly king’ that uses his umbrella to shut down from the illusion and distraction enabling us to focus on pure dharma. Sometimes instead of umbrella it holds victory banner.
4. Virupaksha/Chenmizang- West
Ø He is the king of west and always seen in red in color. He holds stupa or wish fulfilling jewels in a right hand and a snake in left hand. The snake signifies that he is the king of Naga’s and he serves to raise our awareness and also inspire in Bodhi mind. He has thousand eyes to watch over world.
