Deva (ten) or guardian deity
Idaten
韋駄天
Idaten is a deity of the tenbu (heavenly beings) who protects the Buddha's teaching. In a Sōtō school collection of sutras, merit is dedicated to him as a guardian who governs the kitchen that supports meals, and hot water and fire, and people pray for peace within the temple and for the prevention of fire and theft. He is also a being who supports practice from the side of daily life.
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 place of practice and daily meals
Idaten is a deity of the tenbu (heavenly beings) who protects the Buddha's teaching. In a Sōtō school collection of sutras, merit is dedicated to him as a guardian who governs the kitchen that supports meals, and hot water and fire, and people pray for peace within the temple and for the prevention of fire and theft. He is also a being who supports practice from the side of daily life.
Source: 曹洞宗
Chasing down and recovering the stolen relics of the Buddha
Shōhōin introduces a tradition that when a demon stole the remains of the Buddha Shaka and fled, Idaten chased it and got them back. This is the story behind "Idaten-bashiri," an expression for a fast runner. His swiftness is told of as a power that works to protect the Buddhist teaching.
Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院
Mantra (in Japanese, as written in the sources)
おん けんだや そわか
Source: 真言宗豊山派 朝日山法圓寺
Shown as written in the Japanese sources. This site does not set how or how many times to recite it.
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：韋駄天」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 曹洞宗「Soto School Scriptures：Sutra Chanting for Idaten」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 真言宗豊山派 朝日山法圓寺「法坐読本 諸尊図集（令和6年1月1日発行）」（2026-10-16 確認）