Finding Asian Goddesses/Gods

[tangerine_smile]

Hi,
i've just started searching for my own deities, and though i'm still not sure where to look, i
do know that i have always been drawn to the asian culture. so, i searched around for info on asian gods and goddesses, but so far i havnt found many online. though i have found a few, i cant find any descriptions or background info on any :sadeyes: ...
does anyone here know of some asian deities (*esp goddesses), and where i can find more info about them online or off?

[Mnemosyne]

Hi Tangerine_Smile!

Do you have a particular region that you want to focus? For example, are you drawn to Chinese, Japanese, Indian...etc? Also, have you seen the site www.pantheon.org ? It has deities from around the world.

[tangerine_smile]

Hi Tangerine_Smile!

Do you have a particular region that you want to focus? For example, are you drawn to Chinese, Japanese, Indian...etc? Also, have you seen the site www.pantheon.org ? It has deities from around the world.

Thats a good question. i'm more or less drawn to the chinese deities, but the japanese deities i'm intrested in as well. Thats for the link. i've been to that site before and it has lots of info. what i'm really looking around for though, is a site (or books) that have more background information on each deities . it's easer for me to connect with one when i know more about them . :broomride

[IvyWitch]

You may want to look for Amaterasu-Omikami, the female head diety of the Shinto (Japanese) Pantheon. There is lots out there on her. If my bf was here I could tell you some names of Chineese Goddesses...
But also, Asian mythology and Diety structure is much different from classical mythologies like Greeco-Roman and Celtic.

[WinterTree]

You could also try

http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/1582/asiang.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deities#Japanese_mythology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deities#Chinese_mythology

Hope that helps.

[Pol]

You may want to be careful getting into Japanese pantheons. They kind of have a 'we're the god's, this is the land of the gods,' mindset. Not sure they'd like being called asian and connected to chinese gods. :D

[IvyWitch]

You may want to be careful getting into Japanese pantheons. They kind of have a 'we're the god's, this is the land of the gods,' mindset. Not sure they'd like being called asian and connected to chinese gods. :D

well, see at the same time by that mindset you shouldn't be trying to bring them into a Neo-Pagan worship mathod at all since Shinto is so oriented to Japan itself...

[Faeawyn]

well...I have Buddha and Quan Yin on my altar and they give me a very peaceful feeling when I see them :hehehehe:

[Pol]

well, see at the same time by that mindset you shouldn't be trying to bring them into a Neo-Pagan worship mathod at all since Shinto is so oriented to Japan itself...

I agree :bouncysmi


RE: Buddha on altar..
From what I know of buddhism, he was quiet against diety worship. Just an irony of life, I suppose, that he's one of the most worshiped dieties now :D

[IvyWitch]

I agree :bouncysmi

Heh. Yeah, a lesson I am learning the hard way. lol

[Pol]

I hold the Japanese in high regard, and do believe their land to be the land of their gods, and a most holy place.

[Faeawyn]

From what I know of buddhism, he was quiet against diety worship. Just an irony of life, I suppose, that he's one of the most worshiped dieties now :D
Probably very true....but I don't have him their for worship so much as I admire him as a great teacher and role model, as well as Jesus. :)

[Pol]

Have you read the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh? He's said a lot about that.

[Faeawyn]

Have you read the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh? He's said a lot about that.
:lol: hardly....I can't even imagine how to pronounce that name or how I would go about asking for a book by him. What does he say....paraphrased of course :)

[13thChylde]

She has many goddesses from around the world...I'll pick a few of them.

Benten ~ Japan
only goddess of luck in Japan, referred to as queen of the seas and patroness of gamblers

Chin Mu ~ China
Queen of the West in China, dispensing peaches that cure disease and grant eternal life to all who eat them

Sengen Sana ~ Japan
A Japanese growth goddess...she also governs cherry blossoms

Jun Ti ~ China
Chinese Buddhist goddess oversees all matters of life generously. She has 3 eyes, 18 arms and a dragon's head.

Hsi Ho ~ China
Chinese mother of the sun

Wakahiru ~ Japan
Goddess of weaving, also the dawn goddess

Shakti ~ Tibet
Tibetan supreme feminine power

Vac ~ Bali
Balinese/Hindu goddess of charms and incantations

Okay, I'm only at March and there are many more listed. I'll stop now.

[tangerine_smile]

She has many goddesses from around the world...I'll pick a few of them.
Okay, I'm only at March and there are many more listed. I'll stop now.

What a list! how did you come by so much information! i really needed to know of some to start off with, and heres a list that does just that, thanks!

to Faeawyn, i'm drawn to the Quan Yin diety myself. i really like the legends about her (how cruel of her father to burn her to death for almost no reasion. i'm surprised she's not an angry deity with the kind of treatment she got
:damnpc: )

to WinterTree: wow, links and alot of 'em! thanks a bunch, i'll have fun reading through these :).
Oh, and to anyone who's intrested, i've just found a site with a nice list of most known gods/goddesses (with a little info on each):

http://www.godchecker.com

[13thChylde]

I was reminded by this Goddess to add her to the list .....

http://www.spiralgoddess.com/dewisri.jpg

Dewi Sri ~ the Rice Goddess

Dewi Sri is the Rice Goddess of Bali, She is deeply loved by all. Dewi Sri is the one who feeds the people and sustains their lives. This may just sound like any other sentence written about a Goddess, but it is not. Read the sentence again and imagine people reverently, passionately and lovingly thanking Dewi Sri. Imagine you are in a place where rice is eaten as the main food three times a day, and imagine that the Deity who insures the rice crop is waiting for you to make daily offerings of thanks. Then imagine that similar offering have been made daily by your parents, cousins, grandparents, great, great grandparents and ancestors for thousands of years. If you can do this, you will begin to glimpse into the collective heart of the Balinese people.

[13thChylde]

What a list! how did you come by so much information! i really needed to know of some to start off with, and heres a list that does just that, thanks!


These are all found in the book, 365 Goddess by Patricia Telesco. It's a great little devotional book, and has deities from all over the globe listed.

[tangerine_smile]

what a beautiful carving. To think that one deity could impact so many people. i can see why so many would worship her... just the picture of her carving seems calming. (thanks for the info, i'm going to have to check out that book you mentioned)

[Pol]

:lol: hardly....I can't even imagine how to pronounce that name or how I would go about asking for a book by him. What does he say....paraphrased of course :)


He's a strong supporter of religious tolerence. He has a statue of Christ next to his statue of Buddha. He says they were both great men with much to teach us about peace and love and such.
(and it's pronounced tick-naught-han). (or so.)

[katz]

I hope you dont mind me butting in... I heard Mr. Hanh give a speach once that I had the pleasure of attending, also Ive read several of his books - its pronounced "teak-not-hawn." Its really easy to get any of his books, he's written something around 50, ranging from poetry to philosphy, etc. He was one of the original Buudest monks who in the 60's and 70's came to America to protest the Vietnam war and because of that is now in excile in France. The biggest thing we as "westerns" have to be careful of is that there are just as many versions of Buddism as there are Christianity. Also, you are not "worshipping" Sidharth (the original Budda), but the path to enlightment that he taught us, a path which is obtainable by anybody. The different buddisatvas (Buddest "gods/goddesses") are actual people who achieved enlightement - you "worship/admire" their path, not the person. Its kind of like learning from example. And Pol - your dead on, Japanese and Chinese deities would NOT like being confused for each other and would hate being grouped in with one another!

[Pol]

Yeah, I say teak but I spell it tick. Not really sure why, I think that's how I saw it spelt somewhere.

There are many races who do worship the Buddha. The Japanese, for instance (as they worship the dead). He is prayed to and deified by many.

[katz]

Good point. I wonder if the Zen masters are worshipping Sidhartha or another "over-all" Budda? Of course theyll tell you its not relevant and to mediate on your own answer...

[Yooneko]

The Zen sects are probably the least likely of "worshipping" Buddha. Sects like Pure Land Buddhism, however, definitely take a more worshipful stance towards the Buddha.

[Faeawyn]

He's a strong supporter of religious tolerence. He has a statue of Christ next to his statue of Buddha. He says they were both great men with much to teach us about peace and love and such.
(and it's pronounced tick-naught-han). (or so.)
Wow...that sort of sums my view up as well. I also have Jesus next to Buddha on my altar. I 'll have to look into his work...he sounds like an amazing person and teacher himself. Is there any one book you could recommend above the others?

[~ Monk ~]

does anyone here know of some asian deities (*esp goddesses), and where i can find more info about them online or off?Not long after I first joined MW I asked about a Taoist pantheon. There were some really good replies and answers that may help you. Here's the thread:

http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=24618&highlight=taoist+pantheon

[Pol]

I've just felt kind of ..compelled to say something on the subject of Japanese gods and goddesses. I just have a feeling they really will not appreciate being considered just another pantheon, especially by non-Japanese people looking for more pantheons to worship.

[tangerine_smile]

I've just felt kind of ..compelled to say something on the subject of Japanese gods and goddesses. I just have a feeling they really will not appreciate being considered just another pantheon, especially by non-Japanese people looking for more pantheons to worship.
Glad you did mention that. I dont know much about pantheons, so it's great to get info like this. i myself am more or less looking for the right god and goddess to represent my alter.
but yeah, each one should be respected, singled out and reveered . Anyway, i'll keep that in mind and choose just one (hopefully the one i choose wont mind me not being japanese born ) :imout:

[WandererInGray]

I've just felt kind of ..compelled to say something on the subject of Japanese gods and goddesses. I just have a feeling they really will not appreciate being considered just another pantheon, especially by non-Japanese people looking for more pantheons to worship.
I would think that would apply with the gods and goddesses from all pantheons, but I'm strange like that.

tangerine_smile, there are also quite a few in Bali and Java if you'd care to research that area. It may take a little more work since they are not as widely known.

Faewyn - I particularly like Touching Peace, and The Miracle of Mindfullness. :) But as it was mentioned he's got a lot of books out there.

[katz]

I also like The Miracle of Mindfullness, especially the way he discusses being mindfull even when "doing the dishes". But I particularly love his poetry - recently the publisher put out "The Collective Works" which is several of his poetry books in one volume. I know some that consider his work dry or "fluffy", but its simplicity is what makes it so great.

[katz]

I've just felt kind of ..compelled to say something on the subject of Japanese gods and goddesses. I just have a feeling they really will not appreciate being considered just another pantheon, especially by non-Japanese people looking for more pantheons to worship.
I still have to emphatically agree!

[Isa]

I've just felt kind of ..compelled to say something on the subject of Japanese gods and goddesses. I just have a feeling they really will not appreciate being considered just another pantheon, especially by non-Japanese people looking for more pantheons to worship.

Hello Forgive me for butting in :D I was skimming the board and when I saw this thread I knew I just had to register and jump in

Anyway, while it's true Japanese people do not really respect non-Japanese worshipping Shinto gods it's important to understand that a large part of that is because they do not consider Shinto a religion in the typical sense. Most Japanese if you ask them will tell you "I have no religion" because they mark a difference between traditions, and cultural beliefs and religious practices. Shinto ceremonies are preformed largely not because people actually believe they will work but because they are traditional, a link between modern Japan and historical. They are something distinctly cultural about being Japanese. Despite having gods and goddess, Shinto does not promise fortune or success or spiritual enlightenment to the worshipers. Shinto figures are not protrayed as noble or rolemodels. From the Japanese perspective the only reason *to* be Shinto is because you're Japanese ... if you're not then you're adapting an aspect of someone else's culture that has no benefit for you.

Put it this way if a community in ... lets say Southern Africa decided to form a cult around the Toothfairy, you'd have problems taking them seriously too wouldn't you? :D

[Pol]

All of that is true - but on the same hand, there are those who do believe it, who are still shinto, and there were definitely those who believed it in the past. I think that most any pantheon worshiped in the past existed in some form or another, and I don't think they're apt to change their opinion on things without letting us know. I'm not talking about the Japanese people not liking it - I'm talking of the kami themselves.