In Buddhism, the Four Heavenly Kings are responsible for safeguarding Buddhism rites.

Existing Chinese temple architectures are of certain architectural form. Generally, Hall of Heavenly Kings is the first hall you see after entering the temple, so is it in Tiantong Temple.

Besides, there is an interesting legend in Tiantong Temple. When the temple repaired the Wangong Chi (Pond by Ten Thousand Manpower), Dhrtarastra (Eastern King of Protection for Buddhism) once came to the site and was discovered by the Abbot, who held down Dhrtarastra’s Pipa with a stone brick. It is how the ashlar carved with “Pipa Stone” at the lower right corner of the Hall of Heavenly Kings came from. It is said that the stone will sound like Pipa if stepped on.