61
Appendix A
DETAILS OF THE DEITIES WITH SINICISED SANSKRIT NAMES
WHOSE IMAGES APPEAR IN THE GROUPS IN THE TWO TEMPLES IN THE WESTERN HILLS OF PEKING
AND THE ONE IN NORTHERN TAIWAN
1] Brahma [Mahabrahman] usually known in Chinese as Fan T'ien 梵天
Brahma is the ancient Vedic creator and the Soul of the Universe, an impersonal being, chief of the Hindu gods and celestial spirits and the first in the Hindu trinity. He is usually paired with Indra [see Ti Shih below] though married to Sarasvati. It is believed that the Vedas sprang from Brahma's head.
He is known in China by several titles including Ta Fan T'ien-shen and Fan Wang as well as Ta Fan T'ien Wang. In India his image varies from place to place but frequently he is portrayed with four arms and four faces or heads. Over the centuries his worship slowly declined in favour of Vishnu and Shiva.
His image has been noted in a number of folk religion temples in China where he is considered to be one of the forms of the Jade Emperor. In several Buddhist monasteries he has been noted as one of the two attendants flanking Sakyamuni Buddha, the other attendant being Indra.
In a number of temples in southern China he has been represented as a bearded middle-aged man, standing, wearing long flowing robes, and either the standard Hanlin-style Chinese literati cap or the tiny Taoist crown. He can also be portrayed carrying a stylised incense-stick holder which looks very similar to the long-stemmed tobacco pipe. In some temples in central China he was depicted riding a swan.
In the Ta Pei Ssu in the Western Hills he is portrayed as an imperial minister, standing with a tablet held in both hands before his chest and dressed in a colourfully decorated robe and Ming decorated leather.
61
Appendix A
DETAILS OF THE DEITIES WITH SINICISED SAN- SKRIT NAMES
WHOSE IMAGES APPEAR IN THE GROUPS IN THE TWO TEMPLES IN THE WESTERN HILLS OF PEKING
AND THE ONE IN NORTHERN TAIWAN
1] Brahma [Mahabrahman] usually known in Chinese as Fan T'ien 梵天
Brahma is the ancient Vedic creator and the Soul of the Universe, an impersonal being, chief of the Hindu gods and celestial spirits and the first in the Hindu trinity. He is usually paired with Indra [see Ti Shih below] though married to Sarasvati. It is believed that the Vedas sprang from Brahma's head
He is known in China by several titles including Ta Fan T'ien- shen and Fan Wang as well as Ta Fan T'ien Wang. In India his image varies from place to place but frequently he is portrayed with four arms and four faces or heads. Over the centuries his worship slowly de- clined in favour of Vishnu and Shiva.
His image has been noted in a number of folk religion temples in China where he is considered to be one of the forms of the Jade Emperor. In several Buddhist monasteries he has been noted as one of the two attendants flanking Sakyamuni Buddha, the other attendant being Indra.
In a number of temples in southern China he has been represented as a bearded middle-aged man, standing, wearing long flowing robes. and either the standard Hanlin-style Chinese literati cap or the tiny Taoist crown. He can also be portrayed carrying a stylised incense- stick holder which looks very similar to the long-stemmed tobacco pipe. In some temples in central China he was depicted riding a swan.
In the Ta Pei Ssu in the Western Hills he is portrayed as an impe- rial minister, standing with a tablet held in both hands before his chest and dressed in a colourfully decorated robe and Ming decorated leather
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