Four Great Kings: 1 definition
Introduction:
Four Great Kings means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (mahayana)Four Great Kings (in Sanskrit: Caturmahārāja) are mentioned in the sixth chapter of the Suvarṇaprabhāsottamasūtra, a Buddhist Mahāyāna Sūtra which teaches the protection of the state for the mutual benefit of the Buddhist Sangha and the monarch.—Accordingly, the Caturmahārājaparivarta or Chapter on the Four Great Kings, conveys an explicit message: those kings (manuṣyarāja) who venerate the Suvarṇaprabhāsottama and support the Buddhist Sangha will be protected from hostile armies and other dangers by the Four Great Kings (caturmahārāja), and their countries will exist in highest state of harmony. Simultaneously, those who ignore this tradition will face decline.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text (+60): Dhritarashtra, Virudhaka, Virupaksha, Caturmaharaja, Vaishravana, Kumbhanda, Caturmaharajikakayika, Manushyaraja, Gupti, Raja, Rajashastra, Maharaja, Mahasahasrapramardana, Vaishramana, Kamasettha, Anusamdhya, Bhanaka, Caturmaharajaparivarta, Dharmabhanaka, Jvalitashakti.
Relevant text
Search found 27 books and stories containing Four Great Kings; (plurals include: Four Great Kingses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study) (by Moumita Dutta Banik)
The fourth Bhanavara (Introduction) < [Chapter 5 - Subject Matter of the Fourth Bhanavara]
(2) Mahasamaya Sutta < [Chapter 4 - Subject Matter of the Third Bhanavara]
Importance of Atanatiya sutta < [Chapter 5 - Subject Matter of the Fourth Bhanavara]
The Dawn of the Dhamma (by Sucitto Bhikkhu)
Chapter 18 - The Realms Of The Guardians < [The Sutta]
Introduction < [The Sutta]
Chapter 19 - The Abodes Of Bliss < [The Sutta]
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter III-d - Visit to other worlds (4): Four Great Kings (cāturmahārājika) < [Volume I]
Chapter XXVIII - The story of Trapuṣa (Trapusa) and Bhallika < [Volume III]
Chapter XXIX - From Uruvilvā to Benares < [Volume III]
And Beings From The Heavenly Realms < [Forty-five Years Of Teaching]
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 258: Mandhātu-jātaka < [Book III - Tika-Nipāta]
Jataka 181: Asadisa-jātaka < [Book II - Dukanipāta]
Jataka 382: Sirikālakaṇṇi-jātaka < [Volume 3]
The Book of Protection (by Piyadassi Thera)
Discourse 24 - Discourse On Atanatiya < [Discourses]
Discourse 18 - The Great Assembly < [Discourses]