Deva (ten) or guardian deity
Bonten
梵天
Bonten is said to be the deva in charge of the upward direction among the Twelve Devas, and is described as the lord of all the devas of the realm of form (shikikai).
This introduction is based on materials from Shōhōin (Tobi Fudō). It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
The name and role of Bonten
Bonten is said to be the deva in charge of the upward direction among the Twelve Devas, and is described as the lord of all the devas of the realm of form. The name is a translation from Sanskrit, and Bonten is said to correspond to Brahmā of Hinduism.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Tracing the form and traditions
Bonten is also included among the Twenty-eight Attendants of Senju Kannon, and is sometimes enshrined as an attendant of Shaka, as a major deity alongside Taishakuten. In esoteric Buddhism, there are said to be many variations of form, from one face and two arms to four faces and four arms.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Deities who guard the directions, heaven and earth, and the sun and moon
The Twelve Devas are guardian deities connected with the eight directions (north, south, east, west, and the four corners), above and below, the sun, and the moon. They are Taishakuten, Katen, Enmaten, Rasetsuten, Suiten, Fūten, Tamonten, and Ishanaten, together with Bonten, Jiten, Nitten, and Gatten. They are a group that welcomes deities who guard nature and space into Buddhist ritual.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Guarding the place of ritual, and prayers to remove calamity
Shōhōin links the Twelve Devas with harmony with nature and with prayers to drive away calamity, and explains them as beings who guard the place of the denbō kanjō (transmission consecration). The direction and attributes of each figure belong to this system of protection. They are a group separate from classifications of Shinto kami and from the twelve signs of the Western zodiac.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Mantra (in Japanese, as written in the sources)
なうまく さまんだぼだなん ほらかんまねい そわか。
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Shown as written in the Japanese sources. This site does not set how or how many times to recite it.
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：梵天」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：十二天」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：二十八部衆」（2026-10-14 確認）