Nio Zen Buddism

150cm Bronze "Nio Temple Guardians" from a Japanese Temple

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Niō (仁王) are two wrathful and muscular guardians of the Buddha, standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples in East Asian Buddhism in the form of frightening wrestler-like statues.

They are dharmapala manifestations of the bodhisattva Vajrapani, the oldest and most powerful of the Mahayana Buddhist pantheon.

Nio Zen Buddhism was a practice advocated by the Zen monk Suzuki Shosan (1579–1655). He recommended that practitioners should meditate on Nio and even adopt their fierce expressions and martial stances in order to cultivate power, strength and courage when dealing with adversity. 

Suzuki described Nio as follows: "The Niō (Vajrapani) is a menacing God. He wields the kongōsho (vajra) and he can crush your enemies. Depend on him, pray to him that he will protect you as he protects the Buddha. He vibrates with energy and spiritual power which you can absorb from him in times of need."

Nio Guardians are attributed to the acclaimed sculpture “Tankei” (1173 – 1256). Of the Keilia School during the Kamakura period. These two Nio Guardians are the best known of a set called the “28 Attendants” (Nijulliachi Bushu) to Sensy Kannon.

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$29, 990 for the pair