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The female counterparts of Wisdom Kings are known as Wisdom Queens (Jp. 明妃 myohi), although the distinction is often ignored.

1 Doctrine

On a general level, the Wisdom Kings are viewed as the guardians of the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. In particular, the Five Wisdom Kings are the protectors of the Five Wisdom Buddhas.

According to the esoteric doctrine of the Three Wheels, whereas Buddhas represent pure concepts and bodhisattvas teach through compassion, Wisdom Kings are the embodiment of the wheel of injunction and teach through fear, shocking nonbelievers into faith.

2 Iconography

Wisdom Kings are usually represented as wrathful deities, often with many faces, many arms and even many legs. They hold weapons in their hands and are sometimes adorned with skulls, snakes or animal skins and wreathed in flames.

A notable exception is Mahamayuri (Jp. Kujaku), the "Peacock Wisdom Queen", who is usually presented with a peaceful expression. She is easily identifiable as she usually rides a peacock.

3 List of Wisdom Kings

• Five Wisdom Kings
  • Acala (Fudo myo-o)
  • Trilokavijaya
  • Kundali
  • Yamantaka
  • Vajrayaksa

• Ragaraja (Aizen)
• Mahamayuri (Kujaku)

• Hayagriva (the horse-headed wrathful manifestation of Avalokitesvara)

4 See also

• Dharmapala and LokapalaIn Hinduism and Buddhism, the lokapala ( Skt. world protector") were the Guardians of the four directions and were usually placed in pairs at the entrance to tombs. As Guardians they could call upon the spirits of the next world to help them protect the t, the Protectors in Tibetan Buddhism