Artist: Unknown
Title: Fenxian Tung (Cave 19),Vairochana Buddha's Attendant, the Guardian king Vaishravana
Material: hard limestone
Site: Longmen, Henan
Current Location:
Period/Date: Dedicated in 675 C.E., Tang dynasty
Iconography/Iconology: Vaishravana is the leader of the four guardian kings. In China, he appears as a separate deities well as one of the four. There are many iconographic conventions for this deity. In cave 19 he is shown as an armored war-lord, or Tang dynasty general wearing a cuirass, the origins of which are seen in the Hellenic world. His appearance was meant to convey the military and political power of the Chinese war-lords, and to imply their protection and benefaction towards Buddhism. Within the societal context, this implied both peace and prosperity. In a Buddhological context, the guardian kings control the animistic spirits who have the potential of causing harm to humanity. For example, Vaishravana controls the yakshas, or tempramental nature spirits. Vaishravana is best known as the guardian of treasures and is shown holding aloft a small stupa. The treasures, in this case, refer to the teachings of Buddhism and the attainments possible through following the teachings.
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