Skanda, also known as Wei Tuo and Idaten is a Mahayana bodhisattva regarded as a devoted guardian of Buddhist monasteries who protects the teachings of Buddhism. He is also sometimes called in the Chinese tradition Hufa Weituo Zuntian Pusa, meaning Honored Dharma Protector Skanda Bodhisattva, because he is the leader of the twenty-four celestial guardian deities mentioned in the Golden Light Sutra.