緊きん那な羅ら

noun

kimnara

Buddhist term for celestial beings who serve as musicians and protectors of the dharma. Often depicted with human bodies and animal heads, or as half-human, half-bird. The word is a transliteration of Sanskrit kiṃnara.

• 緊きん那な羅らは仏ぶっ教きょうを守しゅ護ごする音おん楽がくの神かみとされています。

  Kimnara are considered musical deities who protect Buddhism.

• この寺じ院いんの天てん井じょう画がには緊きん那な羅らが描えがかれている。

  A kimnara is depicted in the ceiling painting of this temple.