Benzaiten

This article is about the goddess. For the music album, seeOsamu Kitajima.

"Benten" redirects here. For other uses, seeBenten (disambiguation).

See also:Hinduism in JapanandSaraswati

Benzaiten
Goddess of all that flows: water, music, arts, love, wisdom, wealth, fortune
Member of theSeven Lucky Gods
Benzaiten with alute(biwa) seated on a whitedragon
Other names	Benzaitennyo ( biện tài thiên nữ ) Daibenzaiten ( đại biện tài thiên ) Benten ( biện thiên ) Myōonten ( diệu âm thiên ) Bionten ( mỹ âm thiên ) Sarasabakutei ( tát la bà phược để ) Sarasabattei ( tát la tát phạt để ) Sarasantei ( tát la toan để )
Japanese	Biện tài thiên, biện tài thiên (shinjitai) Biện tài thiên, biện tài thiên, biện tài thiên (kyūjitai)
Affiliation	Deva Gadgadasvara Bodhisattva(assumed traits of) Kisshōten(assumed traits of) Ichikishimahime(conflated with) Ugajin(conflated with)
Mantra	Oṃ Sarasvatyaisvāhā (On Sorasobateiei sowaka)
Animals	snake,dragon
Symbols	lute(biwa), sword,cintāmaṇi
Consort	None Daikokuten(some traditions)

Benzaiten(shinjitai:Biện tài thiênorBiện tài thiên;kyūjitai:Biện tài thiên, biện tài thiên, or biện tài thiên, lit. "goddessof eloquence ",Benten,Chinese:Biện tài thiên,Biancaitian) is anEast Asian Buddhistgoddess (technically aDharmapala,"Dharma protector" ) Worship of Benzaiten arrived in Japan during the sixth through eighth centuries, mainly viaClassical Chinesetranslations of theGolden Light Sutra(Sanskrit:Suvarṇaprabhāsa Sūtra), which has a section devoted to her.Benzaiten was also adopted intoShinto religion,and there are severalShinto shrinesdedicated to her.

As such, Benzaiten is now also associated with dragons, snakes, local Japanese deities, wealth, fortune, protection from disease and danger, and the protection of the state.

Etymology

	English	Japanese-Chinese	Thai-Brahmi
Literation	Benzaiten	Biện tài thiên	พระสุรัสวดี

Indian deity

Saraswati byRaja Ravi Varma

Benzaiten with eight arms holding a bow, an arrow, a sword, a spear, an axe, a single-prongedvajra,awheel,and anoose

See also:Saraswati

Saraswati (Sanskrit:Sarasvatī;Pali:Sarassatī) was originally in theRigvedaa river goddess, the deification of theSarasvati River.She was identified with Vach (Skt.Vāc), the Vedic goddess of speech, and from there became considered to be the patron of music and the arts, knowledge, and learning.

In addition to their association with eloquence and speech, both Saraswati and Vach also show warrior traits: Saraswati for instance was called the "Vritra-slayer "(Vṛtraghnī) in theRigveda(6.61.7) and was associated with theMaruts.She was also associated with theAshvins,with whom she collaborates to bolsterIndra's strength by telling him how to kill theasuraNamuchi.In a hymn in Book 10 of theRigveda(10.125.6), Vach declares: "I bend the bow forRudrathat his arrow may strike and slay the hater of devotion. I rouse and order battle for the people, and I have penetrated Earth and Heaven. "

Saraswati, like many other Hindu deities, was eventually adopted into Buddhism, figuring mainly inMahayanatexts. In the 15th chapter ofYijing's translation of theSutra of Golden Light(Suvarṇaprabhāsa Sūtra) intoClassical Chinese(Taishō Tripitaka885), Saraswati ( đại biện tài thiên nữ,pinyin:Dàbiàncáitiānnǚ;Japanese:Daibenzaitennyo,lit. "great goddess of eloquence" ) appears before theBuddha's assembly and vows to protect all those who put their faith in the sutra, recite it, or copy it. In addition, she promises to increase the intelligence of those who recite the sutra so that they will be able to understand and remember variousdharanis.

She then teaches the assembly various mantras with which one can heal all illnesses and escape all manner of misfortune. One of the Buddha's disciples, thebrahminKaundinya,then praises Saraswati, comparing her to Vishnu's consort Narayani (Lakshmi) and declaring that she can manifest herself not only as a benevolent deity, but also asYami,the sister ofYama.He then describes her eight-armed form with all its attributes — bow, arrow, sword, spear, axe,vajra,iron wheel,andnoose.

The poem describes Saraswati as one who "has sovereignty in the world", as one who is "good fortune, success, and peace of mind". It also states that she fights in battlefields and is always victorious.

One key concern of theGolden Light Sutrais the protection of the state, and as such, Saraswati here also takes on some form of a warrior goddess, similar toDurga.Bernard Faurealso notes that the Vach already had martial attributes, which may have been retained in some form.

Bencaitian / Benzaiten

Eight-armed Benzaiten surrounded by the goddesses Kariteimo (Hariti) and Kenrōchijin (Prithvi) and two divine generals (c. 1212)

Saraswati became the Chinese biện tài thiên (Bencaitian) or "great eloquence deity" ( đại biện thiên ). This became the Japanese biện tài thiên (Benzaiten). In East Asian Buddhism, she is one of theTwenty-Four Protective Deities(Chinese:Nhị thập tứ chư thiên;pinyin:Èrshísì Zhūtiān). She remained associated with wealth, music, and eloquence and also took on aspects of a fierce protector of the state (due to the influence of theGolden Light Sutrawhich promises to protect a country where the sutra is chanted).

During the medieval period onwards, Benzaiten came to be associated or evenconflated witha number of Buddhist and local deities, including the goddessKisshōtenwhose role as goddess of fortune eventually became ascribed to Benzaiten in popular belief). As such, she was eventually also worshiped as a bestower of monetary fortune and became part of the set of popular deities known as theSeven Lucky Gods(shichifukujin).

Benzaiten is depicted a number of ways in Japanese art. She is often depicted holding abiwa(a traditional Japanese lute) similar to how Saraswati is depicted with aveenain Indian art, though she may also be portrayed wielding a sword and a wish-granting jewel (cintāmaṇi). An iconographic formula showing Benzaiten with eight arms holding a variety of weapons (based on theGolden Light Sutra) meanwhile is believed to derive from Durga's iconography. As Uga Benzaiten, she may also be shown with Ugajin (a human-headed white snake) above her head. Lastly, she is also portrayed (albeit rarely) with the head of a snake or a dragon.

Benzaiten's worship also spread to Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period, and she is still venerated in certain locations in Taiwan, such as theXian Dong Yantemple inKeelung City.

Syncretism with Shinto kami

Due to her status as a water deity, Benzaiten was also linked withnāgas,dragons,andsnakes.Over time, Benzaiten became identified with the Japanese snakekamiUgajin.She also became identified with thekamiIchikishima-hime.

Benzaiten was also adopted as a femalekamiinShinto,with the name Ichikishima-hime-no-mikoto(Thị xử đảo cơ mệnh).This kami is one of threekamibelieved to be daughters of the sun goddessAmaterasu,the ancestress of theimperial family.

She is also believed byTendaiBuddhists to be the essence of thekamiUgajin,whose effigy she sometimes carries on her head together with atorii(see photo below).As a consequence, she is sometimes also known as Uga(Vũ hạ)Benzaiten or Uga Benten.

Bīja and mantra

सु (su), Benzaiten's seed syllable (bīja) inSiddhaṃ script

Thebījaor seed syllable used to represent Benzaiten in Japanese esoteric Buddhism issu(सु, traditionally read in Japanese asso), written inSiddhaṃ script.

In Japanese esoteric Buddhism (mikkyo), Benzaiten's mainmantrais as follows:

Sanskrit	Sino-Japanese pronunciation	Hiragana
OṃSarasvatyaisvāhā	On Sarasabatei-ei Sowaka	おん さらさばていえい そわか

Temples and shrines

Benzaiten statue, Hogonji in Nagahama, Shiga prefecture, Japan

Eight armed Uga Benzaiten, Hogonji

InJapan,the places of worship dedicated to Benzaiten are often called "Biện thiên đường" (benten-dō) or benten-sha(Biện thiên xã).Shinto shrinesdedicated to her are also called by this name. Entire Shinto shrines can be dedicated to her, as in the case of Kamakura'sZeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrineor Nagoya'sKawahara Shrine.Benzaiten temples or shrines places are commonly located near bodies of water like rivers, ponds, or springs due to her association with water. Benzaiten's worship became integrated with native Japanese beliefs, including serpent and dragon symbolism, as she was originally a river goddess.

Benzaiten is enshrined on numerous locations throughout Japan; for example, theEnoshimaIsland inSagami Bay,theChikubu IslandinLake Biwaand theItsukushimaIsland inSeto Inland Sea(Japan's Three Great Benzaiten Shrines); and she and a five-headeddragonare the central figures of theEnoshima Engi,a history of the shrines on Enoshima written by the Japanese Buddhist monkKōkei( hoàng khánh ) in 1047. According to Kōkei, Benzaiten is the third daughter of the dragon-king of Munetsuchi ( vô nhiệt trì; literally "lake without heat" ), known in Sanskrit asAnavatapta,the lake lying at the center of the world according to an ancient Buddhist cosmological view.

Ryōhō-ji,also known as the "Moe Temple", enshrines Benzaiten. It is famous foranimestyle depictions of Buddhist deities.

Benzaiten Buddhist temples

• Hogon-jiTemple (Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, Chikubushima, Japan's Three Major Benzaiten)
• Daigan-jiTemple (Hyokkaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Miyajima, Japan's three major Bensaiten)
• Yaotomi Shrine(Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture, Takeshima (Aichi Prefecture), Japan Shichibenten)
• Enkyo-ji Temple(Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, on the day of Kishi every 60 days Uga Benzai Tenyu Shuku is practiced)
• Takian-jiTemple (Mino City, Osaka Prefecture)
• Shinju-jiTemple (Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture)
• Shinfuku-jiTemple (Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture)
• Tokai-jiTemple Fuse Benten (Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture)
• Senso-jiTemple Bentenzan (Taito Ward, Tokyo) [11]
• Kanei-jiTemple Shinobazu Pond Benzaiten (Taito Ward, Tokyo, Edo Shichibenten)
• Myoko-jiTemple Itsukushima Bensaiten (Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture, Kamehime-sama's dedication)
• Togo-jiTemple (Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture)
• Kofuku-jiTemple Kubo Benzaiten (Nara City, Nara Prefecture, in the three-storied pagoda, hidden Buddha)
• Ryozen-jiTemple Daibensai Tendo (Nara City, Nara Prefecture)
• ChokenjiTemple (Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City)
• Fukasawa Zenarai Benten (Tonosawa, Hakone-cho, Ashigashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Saifuku-jiTemple (Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan's largest wooden Buddha)
• Ikko-jiTemple Benten Cave (Inagi City, Tokyo)
• Daisei-jiTemple Inokashira Benzaiten (Mitaka City, Tokyo)
• Honko-jiTemple, Suse Benzai Kotoku Tenjo (Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture)
• Hase-dera Bentendo Benten Cave (Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Kaiko-jiTemple, Izumiyama Yutsu Benzaiten (Yamauchi of Senwakuji Temple, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Hachibi statue with Denkyo Daishi Saicho Saku, Hidden Buddha)
• Ryōhō-jiTemple Shingo Benzaiten (Hachioji City, Tokyo, dating from 1489, known as "Moe-ji Temple" for its use of anime style depictions of Buddhist deities)
• Momo-jiTemple Naked Benzaiten (2-16 Yotsuya-dori, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya City)
• There is a shrine on a floating island protruding in Tanara-numa,Onrin-jiTemple (Oura-cho, Gunma Prefecture).
• Eian-jiTemple (Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture) Enshrined in Bentendo where vermilion Hiten dances with Bishamonten and Daikokuten (opened several times a year)
• Myoen-jiTemple Iwaya Reijo Tsuchiya Zeni Benten (Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Jushoin Matsumoto Benten (Edogawa-ku, Tokyo)
• Hoju-inKaiun Suzusato-saiten (Minato-ku, Tokyo)
• Meio-jiTemple (Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, Benten sect headquarters)
• Nyoi-jiTemple (the head temple of the Benten sect in Gojo City, Nara Prefecture, Gyoki Bodhisattva is said to have been carved in the Nara period)

Shinto shrines enshrining Benzaiten

• Enoshima Shrine (Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Enoshima, Japan's three major Benzaiten)
• Koami Shrine (Nihonbashi, Tokyo)
• Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine (Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Shimizu Benzaitensha (Saku City, Nagano Prefecture)
• Tenkawa Daibenzaitensha (Tenkawa-mura, Yoshino-gun, Nara Prefecture, Japan's three major Benzaiten) [Note 6]
• Koganeyama Shrine (Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Mt. Kinka)

Benzaiten is also enshrined as Ichikishima Hime-no-Mikoto at theMunakata Taishashrine.

See also

• Buddhist Tenbu ( thiên bộ ) deities
• Daikokuten
• Dakini
• Hinduism in Japan
• Seven Lucky Gods
• Shinbutsu-shūgō
• Three Great Shrines of Benzaiten
• Tenjin (kami)
• Vaiśravaṇa

Bibliography

• Faure, Bernard (2015).Protectors and Predators: Gods of Medieval Japan, Volume 2.University of Hawaii Press.ISBN978-0824857721.
• Kinsley, David (1998).Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition.Motilal Banarsidass Publishers.ISBN978-8-1208-0394-7.
• Ludvik, Catherine (2004)."A Harivaṃśa Hymn in Yijing's Chinese Translation of the Sutra of Golden Light".Journal of the American Oriental Society.124(4): 707–734.doi:10.2307/4132114.JSTOR4132114.
• Ludvik, Catherine (2007).Sarasvatī: Riverine Goddess of Knowledge. From the Manuscript-carrying Vīṇā-player to the Weapon-wielding Defender of the Dharma.Brill.ISBN978-9-0474-2036-1.

External links

• A Study of the Enoshima EngiArchived2016-12-19 at theWayback Machine
• Sacred Texts account of Benzaiten