spelling an end to the use of the title in the scope of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Religious uses The term Heavenly King is used even today in a limited scope within Chinese Buddhism, with a much more religious meaning than most of its uses as a title. An example of its use is within the Four Heavenly Kings. The Four Heavenly Kings are four Buddhist gods, each of whom represents one cardinal direction. They are Vaiśravaṇa (), Virūḍhaka (), Dhṛtarāṣṭra (), and Virūpākṣa (). Uses in other countries Outside China, the term Heavenly King has been sometimes used as a title to refer to a ruling king or divine entity. Two countries which have done this include Korea and Vietnam, both of which are in the Chinese cultural sphere of influence, especially historically. In Korea the term is used as a title for Hwanung, the legendary founder of Gojoseon, while in Vietnam it is used to refer to the mythical folk hero Thánh Gióng. See also Chinese sovereign Chinese nobility Emperor of China Puxian Wannu Hong Xiuquan References Sixteen Kingdoms Chinese royal titles