Deva (ten) or guardian deity
Enmaten
炎魔天
Described as a deity of the tenbu (heavenly beings) who governs the south among the Twelve Ten.
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 Enmaten
Described as a deity of the tenbu (heavenly beings) who governs the south among the Twelve Ten. It is explained that he derives from Yama of ancient India, is said to be the first person in the world to die, was revered as a king because he found the path of the dead, and changed into Enma Ō in China.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院
Tracing the figure and traditions
In esoteric images he holds a staff topped with a human head on a dish-like base (called jintōjō, dandajō and other names), which is regarded as his symbol. There are also forms riding a white water buffalo, and the record also mentions a tradition that he has a younger sister, Yami, and the translated name Byōdō Ō.
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 Ten are protective deities connected with the eight directions — north, south, east, west and the four corners — above and below, the sun and the moon. They combine Taishakuten, Katen, Enmaten, Rasetsuten, Suiten, Fūten, Tamonten and Ishana-ten with Bonten, Jiten, Nitten and Gatten. It is a grouping that welcomes the deities who protect nature and space into Buddhist ritual.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Prayers that guard the place of ritual and remove disaster
Shōhōin links the Twelve Ten with prayers for harmony with nature and for warding off disaster, and describes them as beings who guard the place of the denpō kanjō (transmission consecration). The direction and held objects of each deity belong to this system of protection. It is a grouping 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 えんまや そはか。
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.