General Jinja

Japanese: 深沙大将 - じんじゃだいしょう

A Buddhist term. One of the guardian deities of Buddhism. It is said that he was named after Xuanzang when he encountered him in quicksand during his visit to India. He is a benevolent deity whose main vow is to save people from danger in the desert, and is said to heal illnesses and ward off evil. He is said to be an incarnation of Tamonten, and is also variously described as a wilderness demon who serves monks of the Lotus Sutra, or as Ohorimara . In rituals, he is said to be an incarnation of Kannon. He has a wrathful expression, holds a green snake in his left hand, and bends his right hand with his palm raised.

Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary About the Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary Information

Japanese:

仏語。仏教守護神の一つ。玄奘が天竺(てんじく)に赴いたとき、流沙で出あってから名づけられたという。砂漠での危難を救うのを本誓とする善神で、疾病を癒し魔事を遠ざけるという。多聞天の化身といい、また法華経行者に仕える曠野鬼神とも央掘摩羅とも種々に説かれる。儀軌では観音の化身とする。忿怒(ふんぬ)の相をし、左手に青蛇を握り、右手を屈して掌をあげる。

出典　精選版日本国語大辞典精選版日本国語大辞典について　情報

<<: Association of Shinto Shrines

>>: My thoughts on shrines - Jinjashiko