Skanda (Buddhism)

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Skanda Bodhisattva (Ch. 韋馱菩薩; Wei Tuo Pu Sa), Wei Tuo, and sometimes called Veda, or Idaten (韋駄天) in Japan, is regarded in Chinese Buddhism as a devoted guardian and an honored Bodhisattva of Buddhist monasteries who guards the Dharma and the objects of the Dharma. He is the General-in-Chief of the thirty-two heavenly generals who come under the Four Heavenly Kings (四大天王).

In most temples, his image traditionally faces the statue of the Buddha in the main shrine. In others, he is on the far right of the main shrine, whereas on the left is his counterpart, Guan Yu. In Chinese sutras, his image is found at the end of the sutra, a reminder of his vow to protect and preserve the teachings of the Buddha.

According to the teaching, Skanda was the son of a virtuous king who had complete faith in Buddha's teachings. When Buddha entered nirvana, the Buddha instructed Skanda to guard the Dharma. It was his job to protect members of the Sangha when they are disturbed by Mara, the tempter.

A few days after the Buddha's passing and cremation, evil demons robbed his relics. Skanda's vow of protecting the faith and Dharma was proven when he managed to defeat the evil demons and managed to return the relics.

Contents 1 Skanda in Chinese legend 2 Appearance 3 Skanda in popular culture 4 See also

[edit] Skanda in Chinese legend

Some people have interpreted that the Chinese interpretation of the bodhisattva Skanda is taken from the Chinese classic Fengshen Yanyi, or Canonisation of the Gods. The following story is how the Chinese interpretation of Skanda came to be.

When the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara was reincarnated as the princess Miao Shan, Skanda (known as Wei Tuo in this story) was one of her cruel father's generals. He loved Miao Shan but realized he could not possibly be a proper partner to her, since she was a pure person.

However, Wei Tuo was inspired by Miao Shan's kindness so he decided to stay faithful and devoted to Miao Shan, even if she wasn't his wife. The two escaped Miao Shan's father, and the general-suitor helped build Miao Shan a temple and a kingdom of her own. Soon however, the cruel king found them and killed them both.

The general, because of his devotion to Guan Yin, transformed into a bodhisattva himself, who vowed to always serve and protect Guan Yin. His appearance as a Chinese general is the direct forbear to his connection with Miao Shan.

[edit] Appearance

Skanda is described as a young man fully clad in the armor and headgear of a Chinese general, and is usually leaning on a vajra staff. Skanda can also be seen as Vajrapani, who bears some relation to him. Also, Skanda, though only a deva, is very often addressed as a Bodhisattva. This is attributed to the fact that Skanda will attain Bodhi in the very distant future.

[edit] Skanda in popular culture

• In the SNES Cho Aniki fighting game, Skanda appears as Idaten, a muscle-bound fighter.

• In Culture Brain's Hiryu no Ken II, one the item is named 'Idaten shoe' (イダテンのくつ).

• In JNetHack, 'speed boots' is translated to 'Idaten boots' (韋駄天の靴).

• TV series Idaten Jump contains many items carrying the Idaten name.

• In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, Alexis Rhodes owned a card named 'Cyber Angel Idaten', which can only be summoned by using Machine Angel Ritual spell card and sending a level 6 monster from field or hand to graveyard. When the card is special summoned, player can move 1 Spell Card from your Graveyard to player's hand.

[edit] See also

• Dharmapala