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- Glossary of Names
Bodhidharma
The fundamental concept of Zen (Chan) is said to have been brought to China from India by the Indian monk Bohidharma in the sixth century. He is said to have broken off a reed and floated across the Yangzi river. He went to Shaolin Temple and mediated for nine years in from of a stone cliff. The most popular themes of him show him floating across the river or seated in front of the cliff.
Budai
Budai, known in Sanskrit as Maitreya or the Future Buddha, is represented in Chinese imagery as plump, with bare chest and upper abdomen exposed through his open robe. He is shown with a laughing expression and hence is also known as the Laughing Buddha.
Four Heavenly Kings
The Four Heavenly Kings were worshiped in Buddhist sanctuaries as protectors of the four directions and their gigantic statues can be found at the entrance to Buddhist temples, two on each side. They are: Dhrtarastra, Guardian of the East, carrying a jade ring and a spear; Virupaksha, Guardian of the West, carrying a four string guitar; Virudhaka, Guardian of the South, holding an umbrella; and Vaisravana, Guardian of the North carrying a pearl.
Guan Di
Guan Di, known as the God of War, was a very popular deity because of his supposed power over demons and evil spirits, and his ability to prevent war. He is based on Guan Yu, a brilliant general during the Three Kingdoms period, who was captured and executed by a rival hostile king in 220. His veneration began around the 7th century and by the Ming dynasty in 1594 he was posthumously awarded the title of Di meaning Emperor God and from that time on he was worshiped as the God of War and protector of China. He is represented by a seated military mandarin or in full armour carrying a halberd with his horse
Guixing
Guixing, a Daoist deity is regarded as the God of Literature. He is represented holding a pen and a scholarly cap. As the star god Gui, he is presented as an ugly figure with two horn-like projections and is seen standing on one foot on the head of a giant fish.
Guanyin
Guanyin is referred to as the Goddess of Mercy in China. She is usually represented in white clothes with a child in her arms, and worshiped by those who desire offspring. In historical Buddhism, Guanyin is the bodhisattva of mercy called Avalokitesvara in Sanskrit and this deity was a man. By the 12th century Guanyin came to be represented as a woman. In Japanese, she is known as Kannon.
Luohan
Luohan, known in Sanskrit as Arhat, are patrons or guardians of the Buddhist religion. In religious iconography they can be found in groups of 18 or 500.
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