Deva (ten) or guardian deity
Chiten
地天
A deity in charge of the downward direction among the Twelve Devas, described as the god of the earth and the lord of all demon spirits living on the ground.
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 Chiten
A deity in charge of the downward direction among the Twelve Devas, described as the god of the earth and the lord of all demon spirits living on the ground. It is recorded that when an altar is built for esoteric Buddhist prayers, a prayer of gratitude is first offered to Chiten.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Tracing its form and traditions
It is said to hold a bowl heaped with flowers, with examples of it held in either the left or the right hand. A story is introduced as tradition that when the Buddha attained enlightenment, Chiten appeared and declared that it bore witness to his having become a buddha.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Gods who guard the directions, heaven and earth, and the sun and moon
The Twelve Devas are guardian deities connected with the eight directions (the four cardinal points and the four corners), above and below, the sun and the moon. To Taishakuten, Katen, Enmaten, Rasetsuten, Suiten, Fūten, Tamonten and Ishanaten are added Bonten, Chiten, Nitten and Gatten. They are a group that welcomes gods who protect nature and space into Buddhist ritual.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Protecting the place of ritual and praying to remove calamity
Shōhōin links the Twelve Devas with prayers for harmony with nature and for warding off calamity, and describes them as beings who protect the place of the denpō kanjō ritual. The direction and attributes of each deity belong to this system of protection. It is 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)
おん ばりちびえい 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.