Page 139 - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated) and Symbols

C XIII

uan i

he rotector of uddhism

In the year 162 .. during the period of the warring states of

the ree Kingdoms, a child was born to a humble family in

Shansi who grew up to become China’s most illustrious and out-

standing son, a great hero, and was later deified to become one of

the most popular Gods of the Chinese people. His admirers and

devotees ranged from Emperors to the common people and his

popularity never waned over the long period of time. ousands

of temples and shrines have been erected in his honour and can

be seen in all parts of the country. His images and portraits

adorn home shrines or walls of countless homes whether they be

Taoist, Confucianist or Buddhist.

In a country strifed with wars and rebellions throughout its his-

tory of the various Dynasties, great heroes have emerged and

distinguished themselves in every way to deserve veneration and

rememberance but none has ever equalled Kuan Ti to gain eleva-

tion into the ranks of Gods or enjoy worship by different classes

of people as their patron saints. To the Taoists and others, Kuan

Ti was their God of War, while the Buddhists confer upon him

the great honour as their Protector.

Born as Kuan Yu he led a simple life and made his living as a

young man by selling bean-curd which provided the excuse for

the bean-curd sellers to respect him as their patron saint today.

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