Longshan Temple: Dharma Protectors

TAIWAN, Changhua

Longshan Temple has nine doors decorated with pairs of Dharma protectors. These figures at the main hall, Five Door Hall, and rear hall were painted between 1958 and 1964 by Kuo Hsin-Lin, an artist from Lukang, with the aid of his son and nephew. These paintings are important cultural properties of the temple.
Skanda and Sangharama guard the doors of the main hall. Skanda wears a steel helmet and armor, and holds an iron mace in his right hand. Sangharama, painted to resemble the legendary hero Guan Yu, has a long beard and mustache, and holds a sword in his right hand. Ribbons billow around the heads of both figures. The auxiliary doors are covered with images of the Four Heavenly Kings, depicted with robust builds and wearing golden crowns. Virudhaka, Heavenly King of the South, holds a sword, Dhrtarastra, Heavenly King of the East, plays a pipa, Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North, holds an umbrella, and Virupaksa, Heavenly King of the West, holds a snake.
Skanda and Sangharama are depicted again on the main doors of the Five Door Hall. Both have dark skin, thick eyebrows, and wide eyes. They wear military robes with round collars, and each has a topknot encircled by a crown. The Four Heavenly Kings, on the auxiliary doors, stand upright holding long swords. On the door of the rear hall are Narayana and Guhyapada on the left and right respectively. Each figure has a long face, a large nose, and fierce eyes. They wear intricately painted robes and armor.