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Longhua Pagoda and Longhua Temple

In the middle of the Heavenly King Hall are two statues. The one facing the Grand Hall is of the Bodhisattva Skanda, who was originally one of the eight generals under the Southern King and was known for his outstanding bravery among the total 32 generals. In Chinese Buddhist legend, since Skanda guards the holy Buddhist ground, he is therefore the god of guardians for every temple built. His statue usually has two images: one standing erect with joined palms and holding a club in his arms; the other has a club in his left hand with one end touching the ground, while his right hand rests on his waist and his left foot protrudes slightly forward (in the military: "at ease"). The club in his hand is a magical club that can subdue demons and eliminate worries. This Bodhisattva Skanda also possesses many Han elements. Behind him is the statue of the original Maitreya in Tusita, which is unlike the one in the first hall.

** Grand Hall

Next is the main hall, which is known as the Grand Hall, or the Grand Hall of the Great Sage. With accessory halls on both sides, it is the main structure in every Buddhist temple that enshrines the statue of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. "The Great Sage" is a title of honor for virtue and power, indicating Buddha's great strength. Only Buddha can subdue the four demons: the demon of five hells, the demon of death, the demon of the heavenly son and the demon of worries. Four Chinese characters "Da Xiong Bao Dian" ("Grand Hall of the Great Sage") were inscribed on the horizontal tablet overhead by the famous Chinese calligrapher Dian Yuan. The tablet above this one has the Chinese characters "Long Hua Shi Fang" ("Ten Directions of Longhua"), inscribed by Tang Yun, a famous Chinese painter and calligrapher. The 10 directions are, according to Buddhism, the south, west, east, north, southeast, southwest, northeast, northwest, upper and lower.
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