Lesson plan
Twelve Devas
The Twelve Devas or Juniten ( , Jūniten or , Jūnidaitenju) are twelve Japanese Buddhist guardian deities (devas or ten), associated with directions and celestial bodies. They are essentially Hindu gods, incorporated in Japanese Esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyō). Initially, the group consisted of eight deities called Happoten or Happouten ( ), associated with the four cardinal and four semi-cardinal directions. Later, the deities of Heaven (Zenith) and Earth (Nadir) were added, making the group of ten – Jitten ( ). Finally, the Sun and the Moon deities joined the group to form the Twelve Devas. The Twelve Devas are depicted together in a group, generally in paintings on folding screens which are used in esoteric rituals.
Article summary
The Twelve Devas or Juniten ( , Jūniten or , Jūnidaitenju) are twelve Japanese Buddhist guardian deities (devas or ten), associated with directions and celestial bodies. They are essentially Hindu gods, incorporated in Japanese Esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyō). Initially, the group consisted of eight deities called Happoten or Happouten ( ), associated with the four cardinal and four semi-cardinal directions. Later, the deities of Heaven (Zenith) and Earth (Nadir) were added, making the group of ten – Jitten ( ). Finally, the Sun and the Moon deities joined the group to form the Twelve Devas. The Twelve Devas are depicted together in a group, generally in paintings on folding screens which are used in esoteric rituals.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.