Vidyârâja 明王 myôô

“wisdom king”

In Vajrayana Buddhism, a Wisdom King (Sanskrit Vidyārāja; Japanese myōō) is a type of deity and classed as the third after Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in Japanese statuary. Fudô-myôô, the “immovably shining king”, is always depicted with stern, grim features. In his right hand he carries a sword and in his left a rope which he uses to catch demons. The fearsome figure, usually surrounded by flames, is another ally against evil forces in esoteric Buddhism, especially in “Shingon” and “Tendai”.