Ashura Ō

The name and role of Ashura Ō

Listed as one of the Twenty-Eight Attendants (Nijūhachi Bushū). It is explained that the name is also transcribed as 阿素羅 or 阿須羅, that he was originally a god of breath, and that he is a kind of demon-god fond of conflict, also translated as 非天 and 無酒神.

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

He is described as having three faces and four arms, with the front hands joined in prayer. It is explained that because he is a god who loves battle, places and situations where conflict unfolds came to be called "shuraba."

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院・飛不動尊 正宝院

A protective group supporting the salvation of Senju Kannon

The Twenty-Eight Attendants are deities who protect Senju Kannon and the people who believe in that teaching. The Four Heavenly Kings, gods with origins in India and others form a group as protectors of Buddhism. At Sanjūsangendō they are described as attendants and companions of Senju Kannon.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・蓮華王院 三十三間堂

Names and forms differ by sutra

The makeup of the Twenty-Eight Attendants and the forms of their images differ according to the sutra teachings. Because deities of the same name also appear in other groups of protective deities, this site introduces "the role as one of the Twenty-Eight Attendants" separately from the character handed down for each one. The statues of Sanjūsangendō and Shōhōin's iconographic materials are not treated as the same arrangement or forms.

Source: 蓮華王院 三十三間堂・飛不動尊 正宝院

Protecting those who revere Kannon from disaster

Kiyomizu-dera explains the role of the Twenty-Eight Attendants as protecting from disaster those who keep Senju Kannon in mind and call his name. Deities connected with many realms, such as the sea and the land, together as one group support the salvation of Kannon. This is a faith shared by all the Twenty-Eight Attendants; it does not assign the fulfillment of a separate wish to each deity.

Source: 音羽山 清水寺

Related kami and buddhas

• Nijūhachi Bushū二十八部衆