Bishamonten’s Connections

About Bishamonten →

Allied with

• Benzaiten

  Benzaiten and Bishamonten serve together as dharma protectors in the Konkōmyō-kyō (Golden Light Sutra). Both deities vow to defend practitioners of the sutra, with Bishamonten providing martial protection and Benzaiten granting eloquence and wisdom.

Member of

• Shichifukujin

  The Shichifukujin are a syncretic group: Ebisu (Shinto), Daikokuten, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, and Hotei (Buddhist), and Fukurokuju and Jurōjin (Taoist). They sail together on the treasure ship bringing good fortune at New Year.

Equivalent to

• Duowen Tianwang(Chinese),Jambhala(Tibetan),Kubera(Hindu),Vaisravana(Buddhist)

  Bishamonten, Vaishravana, Kubera, Duowen Tianwang, and Jambhala are forms of the same wealth-guardian deity transmitted across Hindu, Buddhist, Chinese, Japanese, and Tibetan traditions — the divine protector of the northern quarter who carries a pagoda and dispenses treasures.