China: Stone Lokapala head, Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 CE), Shanghai Museum, Shanghai

In Buddhism, lokapāla are one of two broad categories of Dharmapāla (protectors of the Buddhist religion) - the other category being Wisdom Protectors.

These worldly protectors are invoked and propitiated to aid the monastery or Buddhist practitioner materially and to remove obstacles to practice. However, since they are considered to be Samsaric beings they are not worshiped or considered as objects of refuge.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia