Wei Tuo Bodhisattva
Wei Tuo Pú-sà (bodhisattva Skanda) is recognized as one of the eight divine protectors in Chinese Buddhism. Iconographically, he appears as a majestic general in his armor.
Before entering Nirvana, Buddha ordered the general, who remained in this world, to protect the Buddha Dharma. After the death of Buddha, the relics were robbed by evil demons. The bodhisattva Wei Tuo managed to overcome the demons and recovered the relics of Buddha.
While Guan Yu Bodhisattva watches over and protects our worldly affairs, Skanda Bodhisattva protects our spiritual affairs, watching over dharma matters.
The Holy Shrine of Skanda Bodhisattva at Hua Zang Si has two couplets about Skanda Bodhisattva written by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III:
xian san zhou gan ying ding huan yu
you liu dao you qing zhen qian kun
The first line of the couplet by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu is “xian san zhou gan ying ding huan yu.” Its basic meaning is as follows. Skanda Bodhisattva is a great dharma protector who is constantly with us. He protects all sentient beings in the entire universe. Through meditation, he looks over the entire universe.
The second line of the couplet is “you liu dao you qing zhen qian kun.” Skanda Bodhisattva has great compassion. He compassionately blesses and protects all living beings whose lives are in correspondence with the dharma. He comes and goes day and night as he supernaturally observes what happens on earth. He often uses his samadhi powers to stabilize all things in the universe.
Skanda Bodhisattva’s birthday is celebrated on or near the third day of the sixth lunar month each year.
Wei Tuo Pú Sà is regarded as a devoted guardian of Buddhist monasteries who guards faithfully the Buddhist treasures and the objects of the Dharma.
Wei Tuo (way too) is one of the eight deities that protect the principles of Buddhism. He is referred to as the Bodhisattva Skanda. He is the one who protects the Book of Wisdom and laws. It is traditionally said, when the Buddha died, demons stole the Book of Wisdom. Wei Tuo fought the demons and got the relics back. Therefore, Wei Tuo became who he is now, a deity in armor to protect Buddhism’s way of being. In Buddhist temples you can find the statue of Wei Tuo behind the first Buddha statue, facing the main Temple.
Wei Tuo Bodhisattva is the great Dharma Protector in Buddhism.
A Dharma protector is one who protects the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha and those who cultivate the Dharma. Dharma protectors are found in the realm of the Bodhisattvas, gods and spirits. It can also refer to the lay people who support the Buddha, the Buddhist teachings, and the monastic community of Buddhist monks and nuns.
Wei Tuo Master warrior of the devas;
Transformation body Bodhisattva;
Vast and deep your mighty vows to cherish and guard the Buddha's teaching.
Your vajra sword can quell the demon armies!
Merit, virtue, all beyond compare.
Now we pray you will be guardian of our minds.
Namo Universal Eye Bodhisattva Mahasattva,
Maha Prajna Paramita!
Wei Tuo Qi Gong originated at the Shaolin Temple on Jiu Lian Mountain in the southern province of Fu Jian during the 17th Century. The full name is “Chinese Shaolin Diamond Chan Wei Tuo Hu Fa Men”. Master Tong Jui is said to have started Wei Tuo Qi Gong in the later part of the Ming Dynasty.
When the Qing Dynasty began in the late 17th Century, many Han Chinese were rebellious. The Han Chinese wanted to be ruled by Han Chinese, not by foreigners. The Qing were Manchurians.
Master Tong Jui was a leader of a small rebel force in southern China. Because the monks of the Shaolin temple were hiding rebels and were rebels themselves, the Qing ordered the burning of the Southern Shaolin Temple in Fu Jian Province. Therefore, the second heir of Wei Tuo Qi Gong, Master, Feng Si Yu and his students moved to Lu Fu Mountain in the northern part of Guandong Province. From then the tradition was past down from master to master in secrecy. Wei Tuo Qi Gong was a secret form until Master Si Tu taught it publicly.
Wei Tuo, although referred to as a bodhisattva, actually started out as a Hindu deva or god. His father was a heavenly king; according to legend, the Buddha left him to protect the Dharma (teachings) upon the Buddha's entry into Nirvana. He is somehow associated with the Four Deva Kings: sometimes he is listed as their superior, and sometimes as a subordinate. Although he is also a guardian of monasteries, it is his role as protector of the teachings that I have emphasized in the Intention section. Specifically, he was often found chasing away Mara when that Evil One tried to prevent monks and nuns from learning the Dharma. He also solved any conflicts that arose in the Sangha (the monastic orders).
Information posted near his statue tells us that the Buddha's remains were stolen after his death, and it was Wei Tuo who recovered them and conquered the demons responsible.
Although he is often titled "Bodhisattva," this is not to be confused with the status of the Bodhisattvas inside the Hall. Bodhisattvas occur in levels, and the ones inside the Hall are Mahasattvas who dwell in Heavens and Pure Lands, whence they come to help; Wei Tuo's vow specified that he would remain on earth to protect the Dharma!
A final note: Some have identified him as Vajrapani, the Tibetan bodhisattva who represents the energy of the enlightened mind. He is associated with thunder, and cuts through the darkness of delusion-much as Wei Tuo helps those who wish to learn.
Wei Tuo Bodhisattva is the great Dharma Protector in Buddhism.
A Dharma protector is one who protects the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha and those who cultivate the Dharma. Dharma protectors are found in the realm of the Bodhisattvas, gods and spirits. It can also refer to the lay people who support the Buddha, the Buddhist teachings, and the monastic community of Buddhist monks and nuns.
PRAISE TO WEI TUO BODHISATTVA
The Heavenly General Wei Tuo
The Bodhisattva's transformation body
He vows vast and deeply to protect the Dharma
With his precious thunderbolt to quells the demon armies
His merit and virtue are incomparable
We pray he will help to flocks our minds
Homage to The Universal Eye Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas
Maha Prajna Paramita
