MYO-O

in the Buddhist mythology of Japan, fierce protective deities, corresponding to the Sanskrit Vidyaraja (King of Knowledge), worshiped mainly by the Shingon sect. They take on a ferocious appearance in order to frighten away evil spirits and to destroy ignorance and ugly passions. They are depicted with angry expressions, with a third eye in the middle of their foreheads, and surrounded by flames. The five great Myo-o, popularly called Godaison, are the agents of the five self-born Buddhas (see Dhyani-Buddha). Of these, Fudo Myo-o, the fierce form of the Buddha Vairocana, is the most important and occupies the central position. Go Sansei, the fierce form of Aksobhya, reigns in the east; Dai Itoku, a form of Amitabha, in the west; Gundari-yasha, a form of Ratnasambhava, in the south; and Kongo-yasha, a form of Amoghasiddhi, in the north. Other prominent Myo-o are the god of love, Aizen Myo-o, and Kujaku Myo-o, who sits on a peacock.