Snapshot English Japanese Chinese Sanskrit Korean Tibetan Benevolent Kings; Gate Guardians; fierce and threatening poses to ward off demons & keep temple ground free of evil spirits; one with mouth open (AH), one closed (UN) Niō, Nio (Ninnō, Ninō) 仁王 (or 二王) Agyō 阿形 Kongō Rikishi 金剛力士 mouth open Ungyō 吽形 Misshaku Rikishi 密遮力士 mouth shut Rénwáng, Renwang, Jen-Wang 仁王 Èrwáng, Erh-wang 二王 Vajrapani, Vajradhara, Vajrayakṣa, Narendra, Narêndra, Narêndra-rāja, lit. = Thunderbolt Holders Inwang 인왕 Iwang, Yiwang 이왕 Chag na dor je, Channa Dorje, Ghuyapati, Sang wa'i dag po NIŌ CATALOG THREE PRODUCTS Click images for details, photos, and buy options Origin India WHO ARE THE NIŌ Lit. = Benevolent Kings Emanations of Vajrapani (Skt.) Thunderbolt Holders (Skt. = Vajradhara) Guardians at Temple Gates in Japan Scholars disagree about the identities of the Niō pair, and no single opinion has gained predominance. Jp. = Agyō (with open mouth) Jp. = Ungyō (with closed mouth) See Background Notes Below             NIO PAIR = $480 Nio Pair = $850 Zelkova Wood (Jp. = Keyaki) Height = 30 cm See Background Notes Below NIO PAIR = $850 Nio Pair = $1,650 Kusunoki (Japanese Cinnamon) Height = 81 cm See Background Notes Below NIO PAIR = $1,650

The Nio (Benevolent Kings) are a pair of protectors who stand guard outside the temple gate at most Japanese Buddhist temples, one on either side of the entrance. In Japan, the gate itself is often called the Nio-mon (literally Nio Gate). Their fierce and threatening appearance wards off evil spirits and keeps the temple ground free of demons and thieves. In the earliest accounts from India, the Nio were said to have followed and protected the Historical Buddha when he traveled throughout India. The Nio were later adopted by other Asian nations and Japan into the Buddhist pantheon. In Japan, each is named after a particular cosmic sound. The openmouthed figure is called "Agyo," who is uttering the sound "ah," meaning birth. His closed-mouth partner is called "Ungyo," who sounds "un" or "om," meaning death. Other explanations for the open/closed mouth include: (1) mouth open to scare off demons, closed to shelter/keep in the good spirits; (2) "Ah" is the first sound in the Sanskrit alphabet and "Un" is the last (same in Japanese syllabary too), so the combination symbolically represents all possible outcomes (from alpha to omega) in the cosmic dance of existence. At some Buddhist temples, the Nio guardians are replaced with a pair of mythical and magical Shishi Lion-Dogs -- one with mouth open, the other closed.  ア Sanskrit Seed for Agyō ウーン Sanskrit Seed for Ungyō 仁王 = Niō (Jp. = Benevolent Kings) Emanations of Vajrapani Bodhisattva 阿形 Agyō, Agyo, Agyou, Naraen Kongō 那羅延金剛 Also known as Kongō Rikishi 金剛力士. A manifestation of Vajrapani (Skt.) or Vajradhara (Skt.) A manifestation of Vairocana (Dainichi Nyorai) in esoteric sects. Typically shown with mouth open. 吽形 Ungyō, Ungyo, Ungyou, Misshaku Kongō 密遮金剛 Also known as Misshaku Rikishi 密遮力士. A manifestation of Vajrapani (Skt.) or Vajradhara (Skt.) Some say a manifestaion of the Hindu God Vishnu. Typically shown with mouth closed. Represent Alpha & Omega, Beginning & End, Birth & Death One with mouth open, the other with mouth closed. Other Japanese terms for the NIO GUARDIANS include: Kongo, Kongou, Kongō, Rikishi, Kongo Rikishi, Kongō Rikishi, Shitsukongō-shin, Shukongōshin 執金剛神, Niten 二天, and Niōson 仁王尊. JAPANESE MANTRA FOR AGYO 阿なまさまんだば　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 JAPANESE MANTRA FOR UNGYO 吽なまさまんだば　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 LEARN MORE NIO Guardians. Our A-to-Z Knowledge Center (outside site)   Above Sanskrit Seed Syllables (#1, outside site) Above Sanskrit Seed Syllables (#2, outside site)   Vajrapani in Tibetan Art (outside site)   Agyō Sanjūsangendō, Kyoto   Wooden Statue 12th Century, Life-size Scanned from Temple Brochure