In the Buddhist faith, the Four Heavenly Kings are four gods, each of whom watches over one cardinal direction of the world. The Four Heavenly Kings are said to currently live in the C��turmah��r��jika heaven (P��li C��tummah��r��jika, Of the Four Great Kings) on the lower slopes of Mount Sumeru, which is the lowest of the six worlds of the devas of the K��madh��tu. They are the protectors of the world and fighters of evil, each able to command a legion of supernatural creatures to protect the Dharma. All four serve ��akra, the lord of the devas of Tr��yastri�����a. On the 8th, 14th and 15th days of each lunar month, the Four Heavenly Kings either send out messengers or go themselves to see how virtue and morality are faring in the world of men. Then they report upon the state of affairs to the assembly of the Tr��yastri�����a devas. On the orders of ��akra, the four kings and their retinues stand guard to protect Tr��yastri�����a from another attack by the Asuras, which once threatened to destroy the kingdom of the devas. They are also vowed to protect the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Buddhas followers from danger. Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings of Thai romanization Thao Kuwen, Thao Wirunhok, Thao Thatarot, Thao Wirupak.
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