Shaka: “Silent Sage”; embodiment of perfect virtue.
Shitennou: Four Heavenly Kings. Warriors that protect the four cardinal points.
Tamoten: “Listens to many teachings”. God of wealth and good luck. Most powerful of the four (one of the 12 Devas and Seven Fortune Gods). Guardian of the North
Jikouten: Protects and maintains the world. Guardian of the East
Zochoten: Relieves people of suffering. Guardian of the South
Komokuten: Encourages enlightenment, punishes evil. Guardian of the West.
Six Realms: “Wheel of life” this is the cycle of life and death. The lowest 3 levels are known as the tree evil paths.
Beings in Hell: Lowest and worse realm. It is characterised by aggression
Hungry Ghosts: Realm of hungry spirits. It is characterised by great craving and eternal starvation
Animals: The realm of animals and livestock. It is characterised by stupidity and servitude
Ashura: Realm of anger, jealousy and constant war. The Asura (demi-gods) are powerful, quarrelsome and fierce. They are partly good and evil
Humans: Human realm. They are both good and evil and can attain enlightenment, however most are blinded or consumed by their desires.
Deva: Realm of heavenly beings. It is filled with pleasure. However the Deva are also a part of their world of suffering (the Samsara). It is said that because Devas have such great pleasure, their misery is the same.
Ssu-Ling: Four guardians of the compass
| Direction | Colour/Animal | Season | Elements | Planet | Organs |
| East | Blue Dragon | Spring | Wood | Jupiter | Liver; Gall Bladder |
| South | Red Bird (Phoenix) | Summer | Fire; Sun | Mars | Large Intestines; Heart |
| West | White Tiger (Byakko) | Autumn | Wind; Metal | Venus | Lungs; Small Intestines |
| North | Black Tortoise | Winter | Cold, Water | Mercury | Kidneys; Bladder |
Suiten: Water Deva; Personification of the heavens; Preserver of the universe; Became lord of the sun gods.
Tarani: Goddess. She appears as Kannons Sakti (the female energy of the male gods)
Taishakuten: “God of the centre”. God of storms, thunder, war and wealth. The Shitennou protect him.
Tennin: Japanese Buddhism, angel/fairy
Tiger: Corresponds to the season fall, the color white, wind, the element metal, and the virtue righteousness.
Turtle: Corresponds to winter, cold, water, black, earth, and faith. The tortoise is a symbol of a long life and happiness
Tenbu: also known as Devas, these are deities of the 12 directions in Buddhism. These include the four main directions and the four semi directions (up, down, sun, moon)
Boten – Upwards
Taishakuten – East
Bishamonten – North
Katen – Southeast
Enmaten/Emma – South
Rasetsuten/Rakshasa – Southwest
Suiten – West
Futen – Northwest
Ishanaten – Northeast
Jiten – Downwards
Nitten – SunGatten – Moon