CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

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capacity, they are deemed to interfere actively
in the affairs of the
present world, withdrawing their protection when kings and nations
on those
neglect the Law, and bestowing all kinds of happiness
who honour the Three Precious Ones, San-pao j£ ^, i.e. Buddha,
the Law, and the Sangha, or Brotherhood (1).
2°. Their Names. — A quarter of the heavens being assigned
to each of the Four Kings, one is placed over the North, another
over the South, while the two others preside respectively over the
East and West. In the accomplishment of these important functions,
each leads an army of spiritual beings, who execute their orders,
and help in promoting the welfare of the Buddhist world (2). We
give here their names, both in Sanscrit and Chinese, as well as the
symbols and colours distinctive of each of them. In all represen-
tations of the Lokapalas found in China, they are elaborately dressed,
usually in full armour, holding their symbols, and in a standing
posture.
1. Vaisravana, or Kuvera, which is interpreted in Chinese
by the expression To-\ven ^ ^, that is "One who hears much",
or "One who hears everywhere" (3). This king watches over the
North, and has under his orders an army of Yakshas (4). As god
of the seasons, he presides over the Autumn. He was originally
Kuvera, the Brahmanic God of Wealth, and regent of the North, the
place of fabulous treasures. Converted at the preaching of Buddha,
(1) Edkins. Chinese Buddhism, p. 240. — Hackmann. Buddhism as a
Religion, p. 163.
p. 206.
(2) Edkins. Chinese Buddhism, p. 210. — Monier Williams. Buddhism,
(3) Eitel. Sanscrit-Chinese Dictionary, p. 161-162. — Getty. The Buddhism
:
of Northern China, p. 149. — Monier Will ams. Buddhism, p. 206. — Hackmann.
Buddhism as a Religion, p. 163, and 215.
(4) Yakshas. A class of good genii, ruled over by Kuvera, the Hindu
God of Wealth. Some legends represent them as cruel. Monier Williams.
Buddhism, p. 219.