Deva (ten) or guardian deity
Suiten
水天
Suiten is listed as the deva (tenbu) in charge of the west among the Twelve Devas (Jūniten). The Twelve Devas are a group of guardian deities connected with the eight directions, above and below, and the sun and moon.
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 Suiten
Suiten is listed as the deva in charge of the west among the Twelve Devas. He is described as the lord of the deities and dragons who live in rivers and seas, with dragons as his attendants.
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
The basic form holds a dragon lasso in the left hand, with five dragons above the head, and there are said to be examples with seven or nine. The ring behind him is a water wheel (suirin). Water is one of the five great elements (godai), and it is spoken of as a metaphor for wisdom nourishing the practitioner and as meaning equality.
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)
おん あはん はたえい そわか。
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
オン バロダヤ ソワカ
Source: Wikipedia
Shown as written in the Japanese sources. This site does not set how or how many times to recite it.