天王乐伎【英】

Heavenly King Musicians

定义

佛教里的天王，原是印度古神话的神祗，此四天王居须弥山四方之半腹，常守护佛法，护持四天下，令诸恶鬼神不得侵害众生，故称护世，又称护国。天王虽手持琵琶或身体表情丰富但却非以音乐舞蹈供佛，而是作为守护佛法之职，但因所持确为乐器故将之列入。

The Heavenly Kings in Buddhism were originally deities in Indian mythology. The four of them reside separately on the four sides of Mount Sumeru, protecting the Dharma and guarding all sentient beings against demons and evil spirits, thus they are also called world protectors or nation protectors. Heavenly Kings hold a pipa in their hands or manifest various fierce poses, but they do not offer music or dance to the Buddha; they serve only as protectors of the Buddhist Dharma. They are listed as musicians due to the musical instruments they hold.