In Buddhist tradition, divine kings were responsible for protecting Buddha and his law, the sanctuary and the Buddhist congregation from dangers and threats of evil forces arising from the four cardinal directions of the compass. This carved wooden figure is the Guardian of the West who fought off the mystical snake. He is sitting on it and the body of the snake extends up the backside of the man. The figure was intricately carved showing the folds in his robes. Remnants of the original paint in red and ochre remain.