The General Weituo

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on Monday, July 27, 2015.)

Weituo stands behind Mi-le Fo at Huayan Temple, Zhiti Shan

In the first hall of most temples (the "Heavenly Kings' Hall"), we are greeted by the fat, jolly figure of Mi'le Fo, the so-called "Laughing Buddha." Standing behind him there is usually an often fierce-looking warrior in armor. He is most often armed with a three-bladed sword, and he faces toward the Buddha in the main hall, away from the temple's entrance.

The Pagoda and the Body of the Buddha

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on October 19, 2015.)

The "Flowery Pagoda" at Liurong Temple, Guangzhou

The traditional building called the "pagoda" dates back to Buddhism's early days in India, where remains of the historical Buddha (and other significant figures) were placed in earthen mounds with a series of stylized concentric umbrellas on top, all on a single pole. (The umbrella was a symbol of royalty.)

The Far-Seeing Heavenly King

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 13, 2017.)

The red-faced Guang Mu with his serpent at
Longxing Temple, Zhengding, Shijiazhuang, Hebei

You may have heard it said that "There are no gods in Buddhism." That is not strictly true. There are gods, though they are not objects of worship, as in theistic religions.

The Closely-Listening Heavenly King

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 20, 2017.)

The very-dark-green (nearly black) faced Duo Wen with his
umbrella at Longxing Temple, Zhengding, Shijiazhuang, Hebei

The next of our "Four Heavenly Kings" is called Vaishravana, whose story originates with the lesser-known Hindu god named Kubera.

The Country-Supporting Heavenly King

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on March 27, 2017 .)

The white (or tan)-faced Chi Guo with his lute at
Longxing Temple, Zhengding, Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Here is the third of our Four Heavenly Kings. Called Dhritarashtra in Sanskrit, he is based on the great Hindu god Indra.

The Growth-Enhancing Heavenly King

(This article was published in the Shenzhen Daily on April 3, 2017.)

A red-faced Zeng Shang with his sword at
Longxing Temple, Zhengding, Shijiazhuang, Hebei

Today we come to the fourth and last of the "Heavenly Kings." His Sanskrit name is Virudhaka, but he is known in Chinese as Zeng Zhang, literally "increasing length," but widely interpreted to mean that he "enhances virtue." So in folk tradition, he is Mo-Li Heng, the last character meaning "a lot" or "vast."