Skanda (Buddhism)
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Skanda Bodhisattva (Ch. 韋馱菩薩; Wei Tuo Pu Sa), Wei Tuo, and sometimes called Veda, 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, Sangharama (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.
[edit] Skanda in Chinese legend
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, he 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. Soon, they escaped her 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.
