CHINESE SUPERSTITIONS - University of Oregon

sword, Kien-shan $|J [ij . In
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the centre of this village is found the
large gateway, leading up to the seven temples, erected on the slopes
of the hill. A series of steps cut into the rock, and rest-places,
lead from one temple to another, and thus the pilgrims
each in turn, as they wend their way up to the hill-top.
can visit
Here stands the large temple erected to the Hindu monk Ta-
sheng ^ H. Before reaching it, the pilgrim passes through a
small outer shrine, in which are found the images of Maitreya, Mileh-fuh
9jjg fj; fijj- (1), the Future Buddha and ; Veda, Wei-t'o ^
of Buddhism.
J§^ (2), both official protectors
On each side of the doorway are the large and warlike figures
of the 4 Maharajas, or Diamond kings, Sze-ta Kin-hang H ^c ^
pipj (3), who protect Buddhist temples from the attacks of evil spirits.
Crossing the first courtyard, the pilgrim
enters the shrine
containing the Buddhist Triad, Samantabhadra, P'u-hsien ^ ^ ;
Manjusri, Wen-shu ~${ ffi (4), and Sakyamuni, Shih-kiah-fuh ^
jjlll |jji, whose large images are exposed on the principal altar.
Further down are the images of Li, the Tower-bearer, T'o-l'ah-li
f£ $$ ^ ( 5 )' and Veda Wei-t > e O ^ J|t On the inner side of the
altar is found a statue of Kwan-yin f| -q\, surrounded by
genii and demi-gods, who worship
her in her shrine.
a host of
Ranged along the wall are the 18 Lohans, Shih-pah Lo-han
"t" A H iJt, already described in the present volume,
reader is referred (6).
to which the
(1) Maitreya, Mi-leh-fuh iH fffj -fffc, generally known as the « Laughing
Buddha.-, Sicto-fuh. ^ $,. See Chinese Superstitions. Vol. VI. p. 103-105.
(2) Wei-t'o % ,|^. See on this tulelary genius. Chinese Superstitions.
Vol. VII. p. 317-323.
(3) The Four Maharajas or Diamond kings 0] -fo ^ |SJi[
Superstitions. Vol. VII. p. 394-399.
See Chinese
(4) See on Samantabhadra and Manjusri. Chinese Superstitions. Vol.
VI. p. 120-129.
(5) Li, the Toner-bearer. See Chinese Superstitions. Vol. VI. p. 17.
(0) The 18 Lohans. Chinese Superstitions. Vol. VII. p. 332-387.