Heavenly Kings Gate: The Four Guardians of a Temple
The Heavenly Kings Gate (Cheonwangmun, 天王門) houses the Four Heavenly Kings (Sacheonwang, 四天王), guardian deities of the four directions, and usually stands just after the One-Pillar Gate. At Goyosa in the online temple Hapjang (합장), you cross the Stone Arch Bridge, pass the four kings, then walk by an ancient ginkgo tree and climb through the Gate of Non-Duality and its stone steps to the courtyard.
- Where
- After the Stone Arch Bridge, on the way up to the courtyard
- Enshrined
- The Four Heavenly Kings
- Beyond the gate
- An ancient ginkgo tree, the Gate of Non-Duality, and stone steps
- What you can do
- Walk through and look around (no button-based activity)
Who are the Four Heavenly Kings?
In Buddhism, the Four Heavenly Kings are four heavenly guardians who each watch over one of the four directions of the world and protect the Buddha's teaching and those who follow it. They are commonly named Jigukcheonwang of the east, Jeungjangcheonwang of the south, Gwangmokcheonwang of the west, and Damuncheonwang of the north.
At Korean temples they are often shown as imposing armored figures with glaring eyes, explained as keeping harmful forces from entering the temple. The objects they hold, such as a sword, a lute (pipa), or a pagoda, and which king holds what, vary by temple and by period.
Goyosa's Heavenly Kings Gate
Four Heavenly Kings stand in Goyosa's Heavenly Kings Gate. They are not modeled on the statues of any real temple; they were newly shaped for this original temple ground. Remembering that even a fierce face comes from the wish to protect, look up at each of the four kings in turn and pass through slowly.
Through the gate: the old ginkgo and the Gate of Non-Duality
Past the Heavenly Kings Gate, a large, old ginkgo tree keeps watch over the path, followed by the Gate of Non-Duality (Burimun) and its stone steps. Buri (不二) means "not two," and the name is commonly read as expressing the teaching that self and other, or delusion and awakening, are not separate. Some temples call the gate in this position the Gate of Liberation (Haetalmun), and some have none at all.
After the gate: the courtyard
At the top of the stone steps, the courtyard opens out with its three-story stone pagoda and stone lantern. The way you came is the Stone Arch Bridge. The order of gates from the entrance to the main hall is laid out in Korean temple layout and the order to walk it.
Try it in Hapjang
There is no button-based activity at the Heavenly Kings Gate. Stop in front of the gate, look at the four kings one by one, and if you like, make a half bow from [Greet] at the bottom of the screen before passing through. Beyond the gate, walk past the ancient ginkgo and climb through the Gate of Non-Duality and the stone steps to reach the courtyard. Walk with the WASD keys or by dragging on a PC, or with the movement pad or by tapping the screen on a phone.
Frequently asked questions
Why do the Four Heavenly Kings look so fierce?
They are guardian deities who protect the temple and the Buddha's teaching, so they are often shown armored, with glaring eyes, to express driving away harmful forces.
Which direction does each Heavenly King guard?
It is commonly said that Jigukcheonwang guards the east, Jeungjangcheonwang the south, Gwangmokcheonwang the west, and Damuncheonwang the north. The objects they hold vary by temple and period.
What does the Gate of Non-Duality mean?
Buri (不二) means "not two." At Goyosa in Hapjang, you pass the Heavenly Kings Gate and the old ginkgo, then climb through the Gate of Non-Duality and the stone steps to the courtyard.
Related pages
- Hongyegyo: The Stone Arch Bridge of a Korean TempleA hongyegyo is a Korean stone arch or "rainbow bridge." At Goyosa in Hapjang, one crosses the stream just past the One-Pillar Gate.
- Stone Pagoda Courtyard: Pagoda Circling and IncenseGoyosa's courtyard has a stone pagoda, stone lantern, lotus basin, and incense burner. In Hapjang, circle the pagoda and sweep leaves together.
- Korean Temple Layout: From the Gate to the Main Buddha HallHow a Korean mountain temple is laid out: the One-Pillar Gate, Heavenly Kings Gate and Gate of Non-Duality, then the main hall, as you walk it in Hapjang.
- Korean Temple Etiquette: What to Know Before You VisitAt a Korean temple, keep quiet, use the main hall's side doors and greet monks with palms together and a half bow. Temple etiquette, also seen in Hapjang.
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