Help! - question about shaolin guardian statue

[sing fu]

I was just looking at another thread asking for photos of the shaolin temple. Anyway, I came across the following guardian deities photo (http://russbo.dnsart.com/cgi-bin/pho....pl?photo=1181 ) - and was wondering does anyone know (1) his name in Chinese/Cantonese? and (2) why all his teeth are herbivourous, with no canine teeth?

[r.(shaolin)]

Hello Sing fu

anyone know

[sing fu]

R,

Thank you for your reply!

Does anyone know why Mi Chi doesn't have any canines - is this a symbol of budhhism's respect for all life? Thoughts?

[GeneChing]

At Shaolin, they always call them Heng and Ha (there's another one facing him - a blue one and a brown one.)

As for the canines - good question. In the Zen tradition (Zen, not Chan, mind you) there is a list of likenesses for the Buddha - I can't remember them now but if I come across it, I'll post it here. They were pretty surreal - stuff like his feet being perfectly flat, his hair growing upwards and the like. I'm sure you could project all sorts of symbolic reasons for these, and surely there is some reason for it. Anyways, I think there was something about the Buddha's teeth but I can't remember. I'll look for it and get back to you.

[r.(shaolin)]

Commonly people identify these 'door guards

[sing fu]

Gene and R,

This is tremendously educational!

My knowledge of chinese buddhist and other deities is extremely limited, so I was wondering if I could take this opportunity to ask you both if you might be able to recommend some references for these areas?

With thanks,

[GeneChing]

There are so many great books on buddhism, way too numerous to list. But I'll tell you what's sitting on my desk right now that's relevant (this way I don't have to get up off my butt.)
Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs by Williams
The Shamballa Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen
The Brama Net Sutra - Hui Seng
Buddhist Art and Architecture by Fischer
The Book of Buddhas by Jansen
An American's Journey to Shaolin Temple by Demasco
Contingency Cannibalism by Takeda

Note: One of these thing is not like the other. One of these thing is not the same. OK, actually there are two.

[sing fu]

So you're suggesting these two deities are the two seen below!?
You haven't thrown me yet, Mr. Ching!
(BTW, thank you for your generous response)

[r.(shaolin)]

sing fu -re: the two demons you posted . . . I cann't help you, but my suggestion.. . . get an exorcist.


On the research side.

[sing fu]

R, save yourself, I'm doomed to an eternity of worship of those two

Gernet, J. (1995) A History of Chinese Civilization
From Cambridge University Press looks like the first one. From a quick internet search it seems the author is frequently referred to in others Chinese history works - thank you once again!

My credit card and I are off to Amazon now..

Thank you both!

[GeneChing]

Ahh, fine counter technique! Very impressive! Brought to you by the letter L and the number 8

I would ad that the best place to do this sort of research is museum galleries, particularly the touring shows from Asia. Not only will you be able to stand before the ancient original statues (the Heng and Ha* at Shaolin are new reconstructions) but also the guide books are thoroughly researched and include the best bibliographies anywhere.

*Sorry, r.(shaolin) despite your great posts, that's what every one calls them so I'm sticking with it. It's just easier.

[r.(shaolin)]

"...every one calls them so I'm sticking with it."

[GeneChing]

Yeah, that's a sticky one. Is is more proper to go with the popular term or the correct term? I think if you had asked me a few years ago, I'd have been more scholarly and insisted on the correct term. Now after publishing a newsstand mag for a few years, I err on the side of pop culture and go with the dominent paradigm over what might be correct. Otherwise I'd have to change our title to "gongfu," right?

[GeneChing]

totally hijacking this thread for this...

'Kung fu kid' appears at Shaolin Temple
chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2019-11-15 10:42



A new sculpture has appeared in the Shaolin Temple scenic area of Dengfeng city, Central China's Henan province, on Nov 11, 2019. It depicts a "kung fu kid" practicing various martial arts moves. The sculpture adds fun to the scenic spot and attracts tourists to take photos. [Photo/VCG]