CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

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images of Brahma, Fan-wang ^ 5E, assigned the left-hand side,
and that of the Pearly Emperor, Yuh-ti ^g ^p, placed on the right.
Both images are turned towards the god who occupies the centre of
the altar (1).
Brahma, Fan-wang ^£ 3i, or Fan-t'ien-wang ^ Ji 3£ (2),
the first person of the Brahmanical Trimurti, and the supposed
Creator of the Universe (3). In reality, he is eternal and quiescent
matter (4), the diffused essence of the world. In a later phase of
philosophical evolution, he is held to be the "Soul of the Universe",
an impersonal, Pantheistic being, awaking after endless ages of
apathy, and brooding over the "cosmic egg", whence the present
world was finally evolved. Through deference to Brahmanism,
Sakyamuni adopted him into his own Pantheon. He was not,
however, looked upon as creator, but as a mere Deva, T'ien ^, or
tutelary god, protector of monasteries and the Buddhist religion
throughout the world (5).
The Pearly Emperor, Yuh-ti ^ ^f, is the chief god
is
of the
Taoist Pantheon. In popular ideas, he commands all Buddhas,
spirits, genii, and the Ten Kings of Hades (6), and metes out justice
(1). Illustration. n° 58, where Brahma and Indra are represented
altar of Vairocana,
as described here.
on the
(2) Brahma, Fan-wang ^£ 3E, or Ta-fan-wang -fc ~j£ 3E- So called by
Chinese Buddhists. Fan-t'ien j$ ^ is Brahmaloka, or the 18 heavenly man-
sions, of which Brahma is the Over-Lord. Eitel. Sanscrit-Chinese Dictionary,
p. 27. — Williams. Dictionary of the Chinese Language.
(3) Not in the Christian sense of Creator,
for the world was evolved from
him, as from a hen brooding over eternal cosmic matter. Monier Williams.
Buddhism, p. 201. Indian Wisdom, p. 12. note 1 : p. 323.
(4) Hinduism had but a vague idea of the Self-existing Being, and
imagined him in a state of complete quiescence and inactivity,
in a hot climate.
the ideal state
(5) Eitel. Sanscrit-Chinese Dictionary, p. 20. — Monier Williams. Bud-
dhism, p. 93, 211.
(6) See on these Ten Kings, or •'Demon-rulers of Hades. Chinese Superstitions.
Vol. VII. p. 250-302.— Wieger. Moral Tenets and Customs in China,
p. 345-391.