Skanda (Weituo Bodhisattva)

Weituo Bodhisattva originates from the Indian deity Skanda, later Sinicised as the supreme commander among the thirty-two generals serving under the Four Heavenly Kings. Tradition holds that he is the future Buddha Ruchiraketu, destined to be the last of the One Thousand Buddhas of the Bhadrakalpa to attain full enlightenment. In Chinese Buddhist temples, his image is placed behind Maitreya Bodhisattva in the Heavenly Kings Hall, facing the Mahavira Hall to protect the Three Jewels. Monastics and lay devotees traditionally observe subtle distinctions in his posture: when he holds the vajra sceptre upright in both hands with palms together, it signifies that the temple welcomes travelling monks for lodging and hospitality; when he rests the sceptre upright on the ground, it indicates a smaller, itinerant monastery. In former times, wandering monks would gauge whether to stay or move on simply by observing the position of the sceptre. On the 3rd day of the 6th lunar month—the anniversary of Weituo Bodhisattva’s birth—temples hold sutra recitations and repentance ceremonies to honour his ceaseless vigilance and protective service across Jambudvīpa.