Benzaiten
Benzaiten ( Japanese 弁 才 天 or 弁 財 天 ), also called Benten ( 弁 天 ) or Benzai- tennyo ( 弁 財 天 女 , literally: " Sky goddess of eloquence"), is a Japanese, Buddhist protector deity, which is also worshiped in Shinto and there to the Seven gods of luck ( Shichi Fukujin ) counts. It has its origin in the Indian river goddess Sarasvati , who is worshiped in both Buddhism and Hinduism .
Attributes
Like Sarasvati, Benzaiten is associated with eloquence , music, art and wisdom . Furthermore, she is considered the protector of the geishas , dancers and musicians, and sometimes also helps to make wealth. Above all, however, it is related to the element of water . Therefore, most of their shrines are on small islands, in ponds or on the sea. Through the element of water, she maintains close ties to dragons and snakes , both mythological aquatic animals . In some pictures you can see a small snake on its head or it is riding a dragon.
presentation
In early Japanese depictions she is mostly shown in Chinese armor, with eight arms, various weapons and objects in the style of a Buddhist protector deity. But since she was counted among the seven gods of luck (since the 16th or 17th century), her appearance has become "humanized". She mostly appears as a lovely, anatomically correct young woman with a Japanese Biwa sound in her hand.
stories
One of the most famous Benzaiten sagas describes how she tamed a dragon that once devoured many children by becoming his wife. To thank her, the Enoshima Shrine was built on Enoshima near Tokyo , one of the most famous Benzaiten shrines. In other Benten shrines, however, the goddess is also portrayed as very jealous. Therefore, men and women should not visit these shrines together.
literature
- Kurt S. Ehrich: Benten , in: Ders .: Shichifukujin. The seven lucky gods of Japan , Recklinghausen 1991, pages 45-80, ISBN 3-7647-0416-0 .
Web links
- Bernhard Scheid: Benten / Benzaiten. Goddess of water, music and eloquence