The king of the fourth Chinese hell, the hell of the Lake of Blood. Here the counterfeiters and cheats are punished. His day is the 18th of the Second Moon.
No Comments
Filed under:
Person of Myths
Archive for December 1st, 2008
One of the four great bodhisattvas of China. He was chosen by Shakyamini Buddha to proclaim the teachings in China. Wen-shu is said to have taught during the reign of Emperor Ming-di and to have been personally venerated by him.The place where he is said to have appeared and expounded the teachings is Mount Wu-tai-shan, which remains today a place of pilgrimage for Chinese Buddhists who wish to pay homage to Wen-shu.
He is similar to the Sanskrit Manjushri.
Filed under:
Person of Myths
The popular Chinese Taoist god of literature and writing, invoked by scholars to assist them in their labors. He is especially venerated by people who require help with their entrance examinations for an official career. Wen-chang is believed to be the author of extensive literary works, which were revealed to man in various, miraculous ways.
In reality, Wen-chang is a constellation of six stars in the vicinity of the Great Bear. It is said that when these stars are bright, literature flourishes. He visits the Earth frequently in human shape. Taoists texts mention seventeen separate existences of the stellar deity on Earth
He is represented dressed as a mandarin, holding a wish-fulfilling scepter (ru-yi) in his hand. His companions are Kui-xing and Zhu-yi, the Red Robed One.
Filed under:
Person of Myths
The Chinese deity who guards the back door of domestic dwellings and public buildings. A former minister of emperor Tang Tai-zong, Wei Cheng is far less popular as a guardian of doorways then the Men-shen.
Filed under:
Person of Myths
The Chinese Buddhist divine general of the ruler of the southern hemisphere. He is represented as a young soldier in splendid armor.
Filed under:
Person of Myths