// TAG ARCHIVE //

#South/Southeast Asia

24 chronicles

01

Mahoraga

The Mahoraga, great serpent-beings of Buddhist cosmology — immense chthonic dragon-like creatures counted among the eight classes of supernatural beings

Buddhist Mythology · 17 July 2026

→

02

Preta

The Preta, the “hungry ghosts” of Buddhist cosmology — tormented spirits of one of the six realms of rebirth, consumed by an insatiable hunger they can

Buddhist Mythology · 17 July 2026

→

03

Vaisravana

Vaisravana (Bishamonten, Kubera), the guardian king of the North and god of wealth — chief of the Four Heavenly Kings who protect the dharma, a mighty

Buddhist Mythology · 16 July 2026

→

04

Dhrtarastra

Dhrtarastra, the guardian king of the East — one of the Four Heavenly Kings who protect the dharma, a noble armored deity who commands the celestial

Buddhist Mythology · 16 July 2026

→

05

Virudhaka

Virudhaka, the guardian king of the South — one of the Four Heavenly Kings who protect the dharma, a fierce armored deity who commands the kumbhanda

Buddhist Mythology · 16 July 2026

→

06

Virupaksa

Virupaksa, the guardian king of the West — one of the Four Heavenly Kings who protect the dharma, an all-seeing armored deity who commands the nagas,

Buddhist Mythology · 16 July 2026

→

07

Mara

Mara, the great tempter and adversary of Buddhism — the demon-lord of death, desire and delusion who embodies all that binds beings to suffering, who

Buddhist Mythology · 16 July 2026

→

08

Namuci

Namuci, an ancient demon of drought, death and obstruction inherited by Buddhism — “he who does not let go”, who withheld the waters of life and was

Buddhist Mythology · 16 July 2026

→

09

Apalala

Apalala, a fierce naga water-dragon of Buddhist legend who sent destructive floods in vengeance, until the Lord Buddha tamed and converted him — a

Buddhist Mythology · 16 July 2026

→

10

Ksitigarbha

Ksitigarbha (Jizo, Dizang), the great “Earth-Store” bodhisattva who vowed not to attain Buddhahood until the hells are empty — descending into the

Buddhist Mythology · 15 July 2026

→

11

Maitreya

Maitreya, the Lord Buddha who is yet to come, “the Loving One” — the future Lord Buddha who waits in the Tushita heaven and will descend to renew the dharma,

Buddhist Mythology · 15 July 2026

→

12

White Tara

White Tara, the gentle goddess of compassion, healing and long life — a serene bodhisattva born from the tears of Avalokiteshvara who watches over all

Buddhist Mythology · 15 July 2026

→

13

Vajrapani

Vajrapani, the great bodhisattva of spiritual power and fierce protector of the Lord Buddha and dharma — wielder of the thunderbolt-diamond and embodiment of

Buddhist Mythology · 15 July 2026

→

14

Marici

Marici (Marishi-ten), the radiant Buddhist goddess of the dawn, light and the mirage — who rides before the sun and cannot be seen, seized, or harmed;

Buddhist Mythology · 15 July 2026

→

15

Acala

Acala, “the Immovable One” — the fierce wrathful protector of the dharma and foremost of the Wisdom Kings, wreathed in flame with a sword that burns

Buddhist Mythology · 15 July 2026

→

16

Hariti

Hariti (Kishimojin), the Buddhist mother-goddess of children — once a fearsome child-devouring demoness who, taught compassion by the Lord Buddha through the

Buddhist Mythology · 15 July 2026

→

17

Akshobhya

Akshobhya, one of the Five Wisdom Buddhas, “the Immovable” — lord of the eastern Pure Land of Abhirati whose vow against anger made him unshakable,