Cai Shen (财神)

Chinese. 'Wealth god', 'money spirit' or 'mammon'. There are numerous distinct Chinese wealth gods, differentiating between formal and informal, as well as civilian and military wealth deities, with the most influential and popular one being the military god Zhao Gong Ming. Among the civilian wealth deities are Fan Li and Bi Gan, while another warrior god of wealth is Kuan U. The informal wealth gods include Wu Lu Cai Shen; the Smiling Buddha who is also known as Budai; Fu, one of the Three Star Gods; Li Shi Xian Guan; Liu Hai, the god associated with the three-legged Lucky Money Toad Chanchu, etc. Sometimes transcribed Tsai Shen or Chai Shen.

calabash

Thai for 'calabash'. It's a fruit of a gourd-bearing vine in the family of cucurbits, in Thai known as taeng. It has a hard but thin skin and when dried completely it can be used a vessel for liquids. Its shape resembles the number 8. Chinese people call it hu lu and regard it as a symbol for protection, believing it has the power to save from sickness and pain. They believe it can also safeguard against accidents and evil spirits. In the past physicians would carry medicine with them inside a calabash, hence it became a legendary tool associated with healing. Since then and because of this the Chinese believe the calabash has supernatural shielding and healing powers. Nowadays many often wear a small calabash made from jade or wood for safekeeping, as it is believed it is able to absorb bad qi (chi) and negative energy. In art nahm tao can be made from any material, including porcelain, bronze, etc. and are often elaborately decorated with Chinese figures or symbols. Some Chinese deities, e.g. Ji Gong (a luohan ), Li Tieh-kuai (one of the Eight Immortals ), Siw or Shou (the god of longevity and one of the Three Star Gods), carry a calabash with them as a sign of their ability to cure difficult ailments. Besides this the chimneys of some joss paper ovens in Chinese temples and shrines may have the shape of a nahm tao. Also called bottle gourd.

Can Shen (蚕神)

Chinese. 'Goddess of the silkworm'. Nickname of Leizu, the wife of the Yellow Emperor, Huang, who discovered silk at the age of fourteen and is said to have invented the silk reel and silk loom. Also known as the Chinese goddess of silk.

chadok (ชาดก)

Sanskrit-Pali-Thai. One of the in total 550 incarnations that every soul needs to take before it is able to be born as a buddha. Generally it stands for the life stories of the Buddha. In Thai tradition the last ten incarnations of the Buddha are the most important and are called Totsachat.

chakra (चक्र, จักร)

1. Sanskrit-Thai. 'Disc', one of the attributes of the Hindu god Vishnu. In the Ramakien the chakra is incarnated by Phra Phrot.

2. Sanskrit for 'wheel', representing the Buddhist Wheel of Law, symbol of the setting in motion of the Buddhist doctrine when the Buddha gave his first sermon, and symbol of the eternal cycle of birth, death and rebirth. One of the marks of an enlightened being.

3. Sanskrit. Center of spiritual energy in the body and symbol of the sun. Compare with Shakra.

chakravartin (चक्रवर्तिन्)

Sanskrit. 'Universal monarch'. Indian royal term used for the Buddha as the spiritual ruler of the universe.

Chalawan (ชาละวัน)

Name of a crocodile in the Thai classical story Kraithong, a love story that originated in the province of Phichit. Also Chalawankumphih and sometimes transliterated Shala One.

Chamunda

Sanskrit. The goddess of death and destruction, one of the malicious aspects of Devi, the consort of the Hindu god Shiva.

chanak

Sanskrit. 'Eagle'. A symbol of Vajrayana Buddhism.

chanchu (蟾蜍)

Chinese. 'Moon toad' or 'toad'. Name for the Lucky Money Toad. Chan means both 'toad' and 'moon' in Chinese and 'moon' in Thai.

Chandaka

Sanskrit. Siddhartha's servant who initially accompanied him during the Great Departure.

Chandi

Sanskrit. 'Cruel'. One of the fierce forms of Devi.

Chandra (चन्द्रा)

Sanskrit. 'Moon'. The term is also used for the Hindu moon god, who discovered the deceit by the demon Rahu during the distribution of the amrita, together with Surya, the god of the sun. They reported this to Vishnu, who immediately cut the demon in half with his disc. However, the amrita taken by Rahu already had its effect and both parts lived on separately. Since Rahu never forgot the betrayal by the sun and moon, he now chases them alternately with his mouth wide open, and when swallowing them causes the eclipses of the sun and moon. The name Chandra derived from the Sanskrit word chand, meaning 'to shine'.

chandrabindu (चन्द्राबिन्द)

Sanskrit. 'Moon-dot'. A compound word consisting of the words chandra and bindu. It refers to a mark used in the Devanagari script, a stroke in the form of a crescent-shaped moon surrounding a dot. The moon-dot stroke can be placed above the top-line of vowels, in order to emphatically nasalize their sound. The diacritic is reminiscent of the urdhva-pundra worn by Vaishnavas, the followers of Vishnu. The urdhva-pundra is a sectarian mark (pundra) and type of tilaka in the form of a U-shape usually with a red dot inside, that Vaishnavas may wear on the forehead or on other parts of the body, especially on the torso. The chandrabindu is part of the famous word Aum, where it is by some believed to represent Vishnu. Also called anunasika.

chandrahasa

Sanskrit. The gleaming scimitar that Ravana received from Shiva as a favour.

Chang Kuo Lao (張果老)

Chinese. Name of one of the Eight Immortals, said to be the most unconventional of the group, an alchemist known for making liquor from herbs and shrubs, thought to have therapeutic properties. Being a master of Qi Gong, he could go without food for lengthy periods of time, surviving on only a few drops of his herbal liquor. In legend, he has been described as being a white bat that came out of the primeval chaos and as a hermit who was able to revive the death. He lived in the Zhongtiao Mountains during the Tang Dynasty and rode a donkey that could travel thousands of miles a day. Whenever he stopped to rest, he would fold his donkey up like a piece of paper and store it away. When he wished to ride again, he would spew water over it, thus transforming it back into its real size. When he became ill, he retrieved to the Zhongtiao Mountains and reportedly died there, but when his followers opened his tomb, they found it empty. He is also referred to as Elder Chang Kuo and his name is sometimes transcribed Zhang Kuo Lao. His attribute is a fish drum, a traditional Chinese instrument known as yugu, that can foretell future events and which he uses to perform divination. He is usually depicted holding this yugu and sometimes while seated on his donkey.

chang nahm (ช้างน้ำ)

Thai. 'Water elephant'. Mythological animal with the characteristics of both elephant and fish.

Chang Sanfeng (张三丰)

Chinese. Name of a semi-mythical supposed 13th century Chinese Taoist monk who is believed by some to have achieved immortality. There are many myths and folktales about this figure and according to some sources he was a former Shaolin disciple who had left the Shaolin temple to establish a Taoist mountain monastery. Other sources make record of at least two Chinese emperors sending missions to Chang Sanfeng to ask for his advice, but neither mission is reported to have found him. Due to his legendary status he is frequently presented as a spiritual teacher and master of Chinese martial arts, including as a grandmaster of tai chi chuan. Before he became a Taoist his name is said to have been Zhang Junbao. Also transcribed Zhang Sanfeng.

Channa

Sanskrit. The male servant of prince Siddhartha, the historical Buddha.

Chien Li Yen (千里眼)

Chinese. 'Eyes [that can see] a thousand miles', sometimes also translated as 'The Lynx-eyed' or 'Thousand League Eyes'. Name of a mythological figure from Taoism. He and his brother are said to have been the ruthless generals Kao Chuch and Kao Ming, treacherous brothers in the Shang Dynasty, who having died in a battle on Peach Blossom Mountain, remained there and haunted the place. One day, the Mother-Ancestor Tian Hou (Matsu/ Mazu) passed through there and the brothers began to compete for her affection. To get rid of them Tian Hou challenged them to a fight: if any of them won, she would marry him but if she won, they both would have to serve her forever. Tian Hou won and the brothers serve her still, looking and listening for those who need her help. In art and temples Chien Li Yen is always depicted with the hand shielding his eyes from the sun and is usually portrayed with a green complexion. He and his brother are found in mainly Tian Hou temples, where Shun Feng Er (usually with a brown or red complexion) stands on the left side of the offering tables and Chien Li Yen to the right of the altar. However, their complexion or position to the altar may be reversed thus it is their unique positions of the hands that are the conclusive keys for recognition. Also called Chin Lei Ngan and often transcribed Qian Li Yan.

Chinese zodiac

Contrary to the West, people in the Far East have a cyclical concept of time, rather than a linear one and the traditional Chinese calendar, for one, is based on a twelve year cycle. It counts the years in sixty year cycles, making use of combinations of two series of units and tens known as the Ten Heavenly Stems (Shi Tiangan) [which are connected with the Five Elements (water, fire, earth, wood and metal) and their corresponding colors] and the Twelve Earthly Branches (Shier Dizhi). The beginning of the cycle is the year 'Jiazi', being the first Heavenly Stem (Jia), combined with the first Earthly Branch (Zi), and the last year of the cycle is 'Guihai', being the tenth and last Heavenly Stem (Gui) combined with the twelfth and last Earthly Branch (Hai). Every year is also represented by a different animal corresponding to the Twelve Branches and known as the Chinese zodiac. Those animals are: the rat (shu), the ox (niu), the tiger (hu), the rabbit (to), the dragon (long), the snake (she), the horse (ma), the goat (yang), the monkey (hou), the cock (ki), the dog (gou) and the pig (zu). According to this numbering the Year of the Monkey, for example, is called 'Jiashen', being the first Heavenly Stem (Jia), combined with the ninth Earthly Branch (Shen), and the Year of the cock is called 'Yiyou', being the second Heavenly Stem (Yi) combined with the tenth Earthly Branch (You). Note however that to make up a cycle of sixty years, only the half of possible permutations is used. Every sixtieth year is a full cycle and 2007 (Dinghai, zu) was celebrated as the Year of the 'Golden' Pig, a once in 60 year occurance. The animal signs of the zodiac also have a useful social purpose: instead of asking directly how old a person is, one may ask for someone's animal sign to find out someone's age. This places that person’s age within a cycle of twelve years, and with a bit of logic, one can deduce the exact age. According to Chinese legend, one day the twelve animals quarreled as to who was to head the zodiac, thus a contest was held: whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river first would become the leader and the rest of the animals would receive their position according to their finish. The twelve animals gathered at the riverside and jumped into the river. Unknown to the ox however, the rat had jumped upon its back and as the ox was about to climb ashore, the rat jumped off the ox's back, arriving first and winning the race. The fat and lazy pig ended up last. That is the reason why the rat now stands at the beginning of the zodiac as the first year of the animal cycle, the ox second, and the pig last.

chintamani (चिन्तामणि)

Sanskrit. 'Wishing gem', but literally 'idea jewel' or 'thought gem'. A wish-fulfilling jewel in both Hindu tradition and Buddhism, akin to the Chinese ruyi and Tibetan mani-stones. It is said to be one of four relics that fell from the sky, together with a Buddha's bowl, which is by some believed to have been a singing bowl. In iconography it usually takes the form of a ball wreathed in flames or of a small bowl, and is often seen as an attribute of Mahayana buddhas and bodhisattvas. Also transcribed cintamani.

Chintamani Lokesvara (चिन्तामणिलोकईश्वर)

Sanskrit. 'Lord of the universe with a wishing gem'. A form of the bodhisatva Avalokitesvara.

chintha

Burmese name for the stylized mythical lion seen standing guard at temples. Lions were believed to be the protectors of Buddhist teachings. Sometimes spelled chinthe.

Chitralekha

Sanskrit. Friend of Usha, the beautiful daughter of Bana.

Chomphuphan (ชมพูพาน)

Name of a monkey soldier in the epic Ramakien. He was made by Shiva's sweat to become a son of Bali. Also transcribed Chomphoophan.

Chom Trai Lohk (จอมไตรโลก)

Sanskrit-Thai. 'Lord of the three worlds'. A name for Shiva. Also Chom Trai Pop.

Chudapanthaka (चूडपन्थक)

Sanskrit. Name of one of the eighteen arahats, the younger brother of Panthaka. Whereas the Sanskrit word paantha means 'traveller', pantha is a word derived from panthan, meaning 'road', 'path' or 'way', and panthaka is usually translated as 'produced or born on the way'. The Sanskrit word chuda has the same meaning as the Pali and Thai word chula, i.e. 'tonsure', though it is often translated as 'small', perhaps referring to the fact that he was the younger brother of Panthaka the Elder. He is hence also known as Pantha the Younger. According to legend, when Chudapanthaka went begging for food he would bang roughly on people's doors and on one day he knocked on an old, rotten door which consequently fell apart. The Buddha thus gave him a staff with several rings on it, which he could use to tap on the ground making the rings rattle to get peoples attention, instead of pounding on their doors. This ringed beggar's staff, known as a khakkhara, has become the symbol of this arahat and he is often depicted holding it. It is also said that he was slow on the uptake and unable to learn even a single verse. To focus his mind, the Buddha taught him to sweep dust whilst repeating verses, a method that helped him understand that by sweeping he took away all attachment and eventually attained Enlightenment. Symbolically, the sweeping of dust signifies purification. His association with sweeping and doors led to the understanding that he is the doorman who guards the doors of the senses, letting only pure things in. In Chinese he is known as the luohan Kan Men, literally 'To Look [at the] Gate' or 'To Examine [the] Door'. In English he is referred to as the Doorman Lohan or Door Watching or Arhat. In some ways he can be put on a par with Kalika, the Dust Cleaning Arhat who is a cleaner of dusty minds.

Chulamanie (จุฬามณี)

Thai. Name of a stupa containing hair from the Buddha in Tavatimsa heaven.

Chunda

1. Sanskrit. The blacksmith who offered the Buddha the food that made him fatally ill, at Pava.

2. Sanskrit. A goddess, one of the five Taras of Vajrayana or Mantrayana Buddhism.

Chung K'uei (鍾馗)

See Zhong Kui.

Chung-li Chuan (钟离权)

Chinese. Name of one of the Eight Immortals, who is regarded as the official leader of the group, though many consider Lu Tong-pin the informal, de facto leader. He is usually portrayed with a either a thin or a long beard, the top of his head bald and his chest and belly bare. He may be portrayed completely bald, but more often with some hair on the sides and the back of his head, usually tied into two small topknots at the back. His attribute is a big, magical feather fan, generally depicted in a form reminiscent of that of a small banana plant leaf, with which he can revive the dead. In art, his depiction with a thin beard, bald and long earlobes at times confusingly resembles Huan Xi Fo. According to legend, he was born in Yan Tai during the Han Dynasty and is therefore also called Han Chung-li. During his birth bright beams of light appeared and the newborn reportedly cried nonstop for seven days. When he grew up he became a general. After appearing in a dream of Lu Tong-pin, the latter followed Chung-li Chuan into the Ho Ling Mountains, in order to seek the Tao and achieve immortality. Also spelled Zhongli Quan.

Churning of the Ocean of Milk

To obtain the amrita, the nectar of immortality, the gods and demons churned the Ocean of Milk. They placed the peak of Mt. Meru upside-down in the ocean and used the snake Ananta as a stirring rope, whilst Vishnu incarnated as a tortoise -his second avatar- to support the mountain with its shell, thus preventing it from sinking in the soft mud of the sea floor.

Citragupta

Sanskrit. 'Collector of secrets'. Name of Yama's scribe, the Vedic god who presides over the dead. He is depicted carrying a pen and book in which he records the good and bad deeds of mankind. In Thai tradition the god of the dead is called Phra Yom, and has two scribes, namely Suwan and Suwaan. Whereas Suwan keeps record of the good deeds of humankind, Suwaan records their bad deeds. Both are depicted with a pen and book, and act as advocate and accuser respectively, on judgment day. Also Chitragupta.

combining the alms bowls

An attitude of the Buddha in which he is seated is a half lotus position holding an alms bowl on his lap with his left hand and covering it with his right hand. It refers to the scene in which the Buddha was contemplating the bliss of his Enlightenment underneath a tree when two merchant brothers named Tapussa and Bhallika arrived from the distant town of Ukkala. Upon seeing the Buddha they were filled with faith and offered him some honeyed rice. The Buddha asked them with what he was to receive their offerings and immediately the guardians of the four directions appeared and each gave the Buddha a green marble bowl. Using his divine powers the Buddha then combined the four bowls into one and received the offerings. Also known as uniting the (four) alms bowls.

conch

A shell representing the primordial sound and one of the attributes of the Hindu god Vishnu. It is used in both Hindu and Buddhist rituals. In Sanskrit it is called Sankha.

Confucius (孔子)

Chinese religious reformer and philosopher who lived from 551 to 478 BC. Also Konfutse.

crane

Name of a tall wading bird with long legs and a long neck of the order gruiformes and belonging to the family of gruidae. In China and other countries of the Far East the crane is considered auspicious and a symbol for long life. Its is therefore often represented with other symbols of longevity, e.g. bamboo, a tortoise, pine, etc. In Chinese it is called he, a word which homonym means 'to combine, unite, join' or 'to gather'. Hence they are often depicted in small groups. In Chinese mythology cranes are regarded as messengers of wisdom and legendary Taoist sages were often transported on the backs of tianhe, divine cranes of paradise. According to an ancient Japanese tradition, if one folds 1,000 origami cranes one's wish for health will be granted.

crescent

Ornament in the form of a half-moon that surfaced during the churning of the Ocean of Milk and which Shiva placed in his hair as a decoration.

crocodile

Vahana or mount of the Vedic god Varuna.