• Journal of architectural history
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.47-66
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• 2007

$Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ are understood as the deities of four directions in Buddhism: $Dhrtar{\bar{a}}stra$ in the East, $Vir{\bar{u}}dhaka$ in the South, $Vir{\bar{u}}p{\bar{a}}ksa$ in the West and $Vai{\acute{s}}ravana$ in the North respectively. Their common name is, therefore, called as the "Four Guardian Kings", whose function is to prevent demonic forces from entering into its sacred world. Although the position of $Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ is to the lowest level in the hierarchy of the minor deities in Buddhism, the cult of $Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ was widely spread and prominent in the countries of Northern Buddhism. It played a significant role in terms of the state-protecting Buddhism, on behalf of it's esoteric and magic power. More than 20 Gateways of the $Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ and $Lokap{\bar{a}}la$ statues were still well preserved in Korea, and they were believed to be constructed after the Japanese attack in 1592. After war, monks had concentrated on restoring ruined temples and building many new Gateways of the Four Guardian Kings over the Korean peninsular. Under such circumstances, even though the $Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ played a significant role as the subject of cult in Korean Buddhism. they might have a small chance to be taught traditional Lama iconography exactly. The purpose of this essay is to examine the relation of orientation of the Gate way of $Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ and allocation of each Kings inside the gate.