[1] Today, it is observed that most of the surviving Chinese Buddhist temples follow the hall style but have three main gates incorporated into their construction.
[1] When a more substantial temple building is built, the two side gateways might be simplified to arched or circular windows, leaving only the middle gate for access.
[1] Traditionally, if the Shanmen takes the form of a gate building, the statues of two figures from Buddhist lore are erected in that hall to guard the entrance, identified as "Heng and Ha" or the "A-un" Nio in Japanese.
[citation needed] In niches positioned on both sides of a Shanmen Hall, there will be enshrined a statue of a heavenly deity with a Vajra in his hand.
[1] Vajra originally refers to the short metal weapon of the King of All Heavenly Deities, named Indra in Indian mythology.
[1] After the introduction of Buddhism from India to China during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), however, the Chinese people cast two Nio to safeguard the mount gate.
[1] The Nio wear crowns, ethereal clothes (exposing the well-developed muscles of their upper bodies), and knee-length skirts.