Marshal Tianpeng

Marshal Tianpeng

Marshal Tianpeng (Chinese: 天蓬元帅; pinyin: Tiānpéng Yuánshuài; lit. 'Heavenly Marshal Canopy') is a deity in Chinese mythology and Taoism. He is best known for his role in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West (西游记), where he is reincarnated as Zhu Bajie, one of the main disciples of the monk Tang Sanzang. Marshal Tianpeng is revered as a powerful celestial general in Taoist tradition, often associated with the protection against evil spirits and the command of heavenly forces.[1]

Taoist beliefs and origin

According to the Ming dynasty Taoist text Daofa Huiyuan (道法会元), Marshal Tianpeng was originally Bian Zhuang (卞庄), a figure who lived during the time of Confucius. Bian Zhuang was known for his filial piety and for killing tigers. Daofa Huiyuan and other Taoist sources identify him with Marshal Tianpeng.[2][3]

Marshal Tianpeng is one of the Four Saints of the North Pole (北极四圣), together with Marshal Tianyou (天猷副元帅), the Protective Sage Yisheng (翊圣保德真君), and Zhenwu Dadi (真武大帝). Taoist texts describe him as a three-headed, six-armed general with red hair and red armor. He is armed with various weapons and magical objects and commands a large celestial army. In Daofa Huiyuan, he is associated with the Big Dipper (北斗七星) and the Northern Pole.[4]

Taoist texts also describe several generals serving under Tianpeng, including the "Mahatma of Heaven", the "Great General of Mixed Pneuma", and the "Four-Eyed Thunder Marshal". They are accompanied by 36 generals and other divine warriors.[4]

Marshal Tianpeng is invoked in Taoist rituals for protection and the exorcism of evil spirits. The Tianpeng Shenzhou (天蓬神咒), or Divine Incantation of Tianpeng, was used in Taoist ritual practice during the Tang and Song dynasties.[3]

In some folk traditions, Marshal Tianpeng is also associated with the Pig of the Chinese zodiac because of his identity with Zhu Bajie in Journey to the West.[5]

Role in Journey to the West

15th-century depiction of Zhu Bajie, an incarnation of Marshal Tianpeng.

In the 16th-century Ming dynasty novel Journey to the West, Marshal Tianpeng is a celestial general who commands 80,000 naval troops of the Heavenly River (天河). He is banished from heaven after attempting to court Chang'e at a heavenly banquet. He is then reincarnated on Earth and enters the womb of a sow, becoming Zhu Bajie (猪八戒).[6]

Zhu Bajie later becomes one of Tang Sanzang's disciples on the journey to obtain the Buddhist scriptures. He is portrayed as lazy, gluttonous, and fond of women, but also assists the group in their battles. At the end of the journey, he is given the title "Cleanser of Altars" (净坛使者) by the Buddha.[6]

Temple

The Tianhou Temple (天后宫) in Tian'ao Village, Juguang Township, Lianjiang County (Matsu Islands), Taiwan, enshrines Marshal Tianpeng. In this temple, Marshal Tianpeng is depicted as a red-faced, long-bearded military general. His statue shows him sitting with his left fist resting on his knee and his right hand holding a nine-toothed rake (钉耙).[7]

Tianpeng Marshal Fortune Palace in Dacun Township, Changhua County, Taiwan, enshrines Marshal Tianpeng as the main deity.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 道教天心正法研究 (in Chinese). 社会科学文献出版社. 1 January 2011. ISBN 978-7-5097-2481-1.
  2. ↑ 道教天尊地仙吉神图说 (in Chinese). 黑龙江美术出版社. 2006. ISBN 978-7-5318-1525-9.
  3. 1 2 四圣之首"天蓬元帅" 凡行雷法,无天蓬不可以役雷神. 道音文化. 16 January 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. 1 2 道法會元 (in Chinese (China)). pp. 76–79.
  5. ↑ 文史知识 (in Chinese). 中华书局. 2005.
  6. 1 2 上请四圣解四时厄，原来"天蓬元帅"是四圣之首. 道音文化 (in Chinese (China)). 16 January 2017.
  7. ↑ 田澳境天后宮. 臺灣宗教與民俗文化平臺.
  8. ↑ 天蓬元帥發財宮 | 拜好廟求好運 找到與您有緣的信仰. 皇佑網路行銷 (in Chinese).
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.