Flaming-Faced Ghost King
The Flaming-Faced Ghost King is a terrifying ghost king, emaciated, with flames burning fiercely across its face, and it appears to be in extreme agony. The ghost king introduced itself as "Mianran" (面燃, also known as "Yankou" or Flaming Mouth) and warned Ananda that he would fall into the hungry ghost realm (餓鬼道) in three days. The image of Mianran Dashi originates partly from the Lotus Sutra, where Guanyin is described as assuming the form of a ghost king to teach and guide beings in the realm of hungry ghosts.
When
- First attested
- 600 CE
- Attested period
- 600 – 600
- Historical notes
- Documented in Buddhist scriptures translated during the Tang dynasty.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- Mianran, Dashiye, Tiêu Diện Đại Sĩ, Diguan Dadi, Mianran Dashi, Guanyin
- manifested by
- Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun
Mentioned by
Sources
Source passages
“Later, the "Flaming-Faced Ghost King" was adopted into Taoism as a deity. In Taoist belief, the "Flaming-Faced Ghost King" (面燃鬼王) is regarded as an incarnation of Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun (太乙救苦天尊, the Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Suffering), who governs all ghosts and protects both the yin (spiritual) and yang (mortal) realms.”
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