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seventeenth century   Ming Dynasty lacquer gold wood carving Colored drawing

Overseas private collections   Longri Compilation

Welcome to the third Christmas of Weituo Bodhisattva in June

          This statue subverts our common image of Bodhisattva Weituo, the Dharma Protector. This is a kind looking, peaceful and beautiful Bodhisattva Weituo. Wearing armor, soft with strong, heroic, symbolizing the strength and mercy of Dharma Bodhisattva. Both hands are used as chest and cross arms to hold the Vajra pestle (lost). The whole body armor is carved delicately and realistically, and the surface is painted with gold paint. After more than 300 years of ups and downs, cracks have appeared on the surface of wood carvings.

          Weituo Bodhisattva, also known as Weituotian, is transliterated from the Sanskrit name as Privately built Tativa, which means cloudy day. Originally, it was the god of Indian Brahmanism, the first of the thirty-two generals under the throne of the Four Heavenly Kings. Later, it was naturalized as the Buddhist Dharmapala, and is one of the representatives of Dharmapala Vajra warriors in Buddhism.

        The Tragic Hua Sutra says that Weituo Bodhisattva was equal to Sakyamuni Buddha as a brother in the past. In the past, the Holy King of Carving the Wheel had a thousand sons who were brothers. After learning Buddhism, the thousand sons made various vows. At that time, Bodhisattva Weituo said after hearing their vows: "When you practice and become a Taoist, I will protect you when you promote Buddhism. When you become Buddhas, I will be the last one to become a Buddha." Later, the thousand sons of the Revolving Holy King became the thousand Buddhas of our virtuous life, Sakyamuni became the fourth, and Weituo Bodhisattva became the last, named Lou Zhifo.