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Vaisravana, sometimes spelt as Vaishravana or Visravana, is a Buddhist god and 'chief' of the Four Heavenly Kings, four deities who each protect one of the world's cardinal directions. Vaisravana is guardian of the north, and is derived from the Hindu deity Kubera. He makes his home on the lower half of the sacred Mount Meru, where he lords over all of <i>yaksha</i> (guardian spirits) who dwell there.<br/><br/> Vaisravana is the ruler of rain, and thus is symbolically armed with an umbrella or a pagoda, while wearing heavy armour. The colours most associated with him are yellow or green, which is why he is often portrayed with a yellow face. Vaisravana is sometimes also portrayed with a mongoose ejecting jewels from its mouth, representing its generosity and antithesis to the snake, a common symbol of greed and hatred.<br/><br/> In Theravada Buddhism, he is known as Vessavana, one of the Four Guardian Kings, while he is known as Bishamonten or just Bishamon - sometimes called Tamonten - in Japan, where he is portrayed as an armour-clad god of war and righteousness, as well as being one of the Seven Lucky Gods.
A Taoist deity, Mo-Li Shou was one of the Four Diamond Kings, and Guardian of the North. He is often depicted with a black face and holding two whips, as well as a pearl and a bag made of panther skin containing the rat Hua-Hu Tiao. He also plays a small role in the classic Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi', alongside the other Diamond Kings.
A Taoist deity, Mo-Li Hai was one of the Four Diamond Kings, and Guardian of the West. He is often depicted with a blue face and holding a guitar, with which he can destroy his enemies through musical fire. He also plays a small role in the classic Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi', alongside the other Diamond Kings.
Li Jing, also known by his title of 'Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li', is a Chinese mythical figure and god, father of the famed deity Nezha. Li Jing is noted for carrying a tower with which he could capture any spirit, demon or god within its walls.<br/><br/> Li Jing appears in classic Ming Dynasty novels 'Journey to the West' and 'Fengshen Yanyi', the latter giving his origin as being a renowned officer during the Shang Dynasty, commanding Old Pond Pass. He was married to Lady Yin, and had three sons, Jinzha, Muzha and Nezha. He had an especially rocky relationship with Nezha, whose short-temper and disobedience would cause much chaos and trouble in the future, especially after he upset the Dragon King Ao Guang.<br/><br/> The two would later fight after Li Jing burned down Nezha's sacrificial temple in anger, causing the latter to try and kill his father after he reincarnated. Li Jing, with his mortal body, could not stand up to Nezha's immortal strength, and he fled. Even his other sons could not stand against Nezha, and he was eventually saved by the interventions of Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun, a 'superiorman' and teacher to Li Jing's first son, and Randeng Daoren, also a 'superiorman'. Nezha was forced to submit to Li Jing after Randeng Daoren taught Li Jing how to use the golden tower that would become synonymous with him.
The Buddhist Heavenly King (Chanfu) temple dates from the Ming Dynasty period (1368 - 1644) and was originally used as a place for translating and printing Buddhist scriptures.
The Buddhist Heavenly King (Chanfu) temple dates from the Ming Dynasty period (1368 - 1644) and was originally used as a place for translating and printing Buddhist scriptures.
The Buddhist Heavenly King (Chanfu) temple dates from the Ming Dynasty period (1368 - 1644) and was originally used as a place for translating and printing Buddhist scriptures.
The Buddhist Heavenly King (Chanfu) temple dates from the Ming Dynasty period (1368 - 1644) and was originally used as a place for translating and printing Buddhist scriptures.
The Buddhist Heavenly King (Chanfu) temple dates from the Ming Dynasty period (1368 - 1644) and was originally used as a place for translating and printing Buddhist scriptures.
The Buddhist Heavenly King (Chanfu) temple dates from the Ming Dynasty period (1368 - 1644) and was originally used as a place for translating and printing Buddhist scriptures.
The Buddhist Heavenly King (Chanfu) temple dates from the Ming Dynasty period (1368 - 1644) and was originally used as a place for translating and printing Buddhist scriptures.
Hong Xiuquan (1 January 1814 – 1 June 1864), born Hong Renkun, style name Huoxiu (火秀), was a Hakka Chinese who led the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing Dynasty, establishing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom over varying portions of southern China, with himself as the 'Heavenly King' and self-proclaimed brother of Jesus Christ.<br/><br/> By 1850 Hong had between 10,000 and 30,000 followers. The authorities were alarmed at the growing size of the sect and ordered them to disperse. A local force was sent to attack them when they refused, but the imperial troops were routed and a deputy magistrate killed. A full-scale attack was launched by government forces in the first month of 1851. In what came to be known as the Jintian Uprising, named after the town of Jintian (present-day Guiping, Guangxi) where the sect was based. Hong's followers emerged victorious and beheaded the Manchu commander of the government army.<br/><br/> Hong declared the foundation of the 'Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace' on 11 January 1851. Following a failed attempt by the Taiping rebels to take Shanghai in 1860, Qing government forces, aided by Western officers, slowly gained ground. Hong Xiuquan died by suicide, odf illness or possibly of starvation in 1864.
Hong Xiuquan (1 January 1814 – 1 June 1864), born Hong Renkun, style name Huoxiu (火秀), was a Hakka Chinese who led the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing Dynasty, establishing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom over varying portions of southern China, with himself as the 'Heavenly King' and self-proclaimed brother of Jesus Christ.<br/><br/> By 1850 Hong had between 10,000 and 30,000 followers. The authorities were alarmed at the growing size of the sect and ordered them to disperse. A local force was sent to attack them when they refused, but the imperial troops were routed and a deputy magistrate killed. A full-scale attack was launched by government forces in the first month of 1851. In what came to be known as the Jintian Uprising, named after the town of Jintian (present-day Guiping, Guangxi) where the sect was based. Hong's followers emerged victorious and beheaded the Manchu commander of the government army.<br/><br/> Hong declared the foundation of the 'Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace' on 11 January 1851. Following a failed attempt by the Taiping rebels to take Shanghai in 1860, Qing government forces, aided by Western officers, slowly gained ground. Hong Xiuquan died by suicide, odf illness or possibly of starvation in 1864.