Nio

Appendix:Variations of "nio" English + (Buddhism) Alternative forms en nio Etymology From en ja 仁王 Niō, from en zh 仁王 Benevolent or Humane King[s] Rénwáng. Pronunciation en GA en /niːoʊ/ en RP en /niːəʊ/ Proper noun en Buddhism especially Japanese contexts A pair of door gods at the main gates of Buddhist temples. en 2014 John H. Martin; et al Kyoto: 29 Walks in Japan's Ancient Capital 43 Two Deva Kings (Nio) stand guard, as do two koma-inu (Korean lion-dogs), to protect the temple from the entry of evil forces... The 12 foot (3.6 m) tall Nio on the right has his mouth open to pronounce the Sanskrit "A" while the one on the left has his lips closed so as to pronounce the "Om" sound, these two sounds being the alpha and omega of Buddhist lore, symbolizing the all inclusiveness of Buddhist teachings. en 2018 Joan D. Stamm A Pilgrimage in Japan 114 The guardian at the right, with mouth open, represents birth; the guardian on the left, with mouth closed, represents death. The space between them represents the Absolute, or all that is contained between birth and death. At Iwamadera, the Nio, a distinctive ebony and shiny as lacquer, enhanced their ferocious, don't-mess-with-me muscular stance. Synonyms en Vajrapani; en Renwang Chinese contexts Translations Chinese: Mandarin: cmn 仁王 Rénwáng Japanese: ja 仁王 Niō Potawatomi Proper noun pot misspelling pot Niw,Nëyëw