Deva (ten) or guardian deity
Niō
仁王
The Niō, also called Kongō Rikishi, are deities who guard the Buddha's teaching and the temple buildings at places such as temple gates. They are depicted as a pair: the agyō with its mouth open and the ungyō with its mouth closed. Their form, with greatly tensed muscles and stern faces, strongly conveys their work of protection.
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
Guarding the Buddha's teaching and the temple at its entrance
The Niō, also called Kongō Rikishi, are deities who guard the Buddha's teaching and the temple buildings at places such as temple gates. They are depicted as a pair: the agyō with its mouth open and the ungyō with its mouth closed. Their form, with greatly tensed muscles and stern faces, strongly conveys their work of protection.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・東大寺
A record of joint work found inside the statues
When the Niō statues of the Great South Gate of Tōdai-ji were repaired, the records inside them were examined, revealing that besides Unkei and Kaikei, Jōkaku, Tankei and others took part in making them. It is an example in which the work of the people who made the two huge figures at the same time was brought to light from inside the statues.
Source: 東大寺
Mantra (in Japanese, as written in the sources)
なまさまんだば さらなん けいあびもきゃ まかはらせんだきゃなや きんじらや さまや まさや まなさんまら そわか。
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
なまさまんだば さらなん とらだりせい まかろしゃな きゃなやさるばだたあぎゃたねん くろそわか。
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.