CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

— 397 —
he donned the yellow robe, and joined the Brotherhood, who gave
him the name of Vaisravana.
His symbol in China is a pearl and a snake, while in India
and Tibet, he is represented with a flag in the right hand, and in
the left an ichneumon, with a jewel in its mouth (1). His colour
is black (2), and he is sometimes called the "Black Warrior", but
it is yellow in Tibet.
In Japan, he is known as Bishamon, the God of Good Fortune,
and is represented in full armour, standing on two demons. In his
left hand, he holds a flaming pearl, and in the right, a lance, or
flag.
2. Virudhaka, which is interpreted Tseng-chang jf| $%, i.e.
increased grandeur (3). This genius rules over the South, and is
attended by an army of Kubhandas (4). As god of the seasons, he
presides over the Spring. In China, he holds an umbrella,
at the
raising of which a violent storm of thunder and rain commences,
or according to others universal darkness ensues (5). In Tibet, he
has a sword and helmit, made of the skin of an elephant's head (6).
His colour is red, whereas in Tibet, it is green.
In Japan, he is known as Komohu, the heavenly guardian of
the South.
(1) Hackmann. Buddhism as a Religion, p. 215. — Getty. The Gods of
Northern Buddhism, p. 148.
(2) Johnston. Buddhist China, p. 368. — Hackmann. Buddhism as a
Religion, p. 215. — Edkins. Chinese Buddhism, p. 240.
(3) Eitel. Sanscrit-Chinese Dictionary, p. 169. — Edkins. Chinese Bud-
dhism, p. 239.
(4) Kubhandas. A species of monstrously deformed demons, or lurking
ogres. Eitel. Sanscrit-Chinese Dictionary, p. 59. — Beal. A Catena of Buddhist
Scriptures from the Chinese, p. 72.
(5) Edkins. Chinese Buddhism, p. 240. — Hackmann. Buddhism as a
Religion, p. 215.
(6) Getty. The Gods of Northern Buddhism, p. 148. — Buddhist Art in
India, by Griinwedel and Burgess, p. 138 (Representation of Virudhaka).