WEI TO | |||
WEI TO Wei-To is an important Deva or God in the Chinese Pantheon as his image is always present in all temples as the `Entry Guardian'. He is the General-in-Chief of the thirty-two heavenly generals who come under the Four Heavenly Kings and has earned such titles as the `Protector of the Buddhist Faith', the `Protector of Monasteries' and the `Protector of Dharma Books'. In all temples where his image is found, he is always placed with his back to the statue of Maitreya Buddha (Mi-Lo Fwo) so that he faces the Main or Grand Hall known as the `Tai Hung Pao Tien' where the main images of the temple are instal ed. According to the teaching, Wei-To was a son of a heavenly king who was so virtuous that when Sakyamuni Buddha was entering Nirvana, he instructed the prince to guard the Buddhadharma. us it became his duty to protect the members of the Sangha whenever they are disturbed in their cultivation by the retinue of Mara, the Tempter. And whenever a conflict arises among religious Orders, General Wei-to wil discharge his duty to help bring about a peaceful set lement. His Sanskrit name is Skanda. Quite often his images are also found in small shrines located at turning points of roads so as to afford protection against evil. It is very easy for people to be impressed with his looks which has a military bearing. He is always portrayed as a young and ¡ûBACK¡û |INDEX| ¡úNEXT¡ú |